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REVIEW
The book of Exodus tells God’s story unfolding through real people and real history. Many scholars believe Moses wrote it, recording how God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Throughout the story, we see markers of His design—small and large reminders that God is never absent, even when generations pass before His promises are fulfilled.
Genesis 15:12–17 is an important marker of promise. God “cut covenant” with Abraham, promising that his descendants would inherit a land of their own. Nearly 600 years passed before the Exodus began. That is a long wait, yet generations lived by faith, trusting God would fulfill His word even if they never saw it personally. Joshua later reflected on this in Joshua 24, reminding the people how faithfully God acted in Egypt.
V. 1–7 — A Marker of Growth
Exodus opens with the names of Israel’s sons and the flourishing of their descendants. Under Joseph’s leadership—and even after his death—the Israelites multiplied greatly, likely reaching into the millions. What once seemed like survival during famine became preparation for a much greater story. Egypt’s rising prominence only set the stage for God’s power to be displayed more clearly.
V. 8–11 — A Marker of Hidden Purpose
A new king arose who did not remember Joseph and harshly oppressed the Israelites. Pharaoh believed he was strengthening Egypt by forcing them to build store cities, yet God’s design was greater. The riches stored there would one day benefit the Israelites as they departed Egypt. Pharaoh thought he was acting strategically, but God’s purposes were already moving underneath the surface.
V. 12–14 — A Marker of Strength Through Suffering
The more the Israelites were oppressed, the more they multiplied. Hardship did not destroy them; it strengthened them. Often God grows endurance, unity, and faith most deeply in difficult seasons.
V. 15–19 — A Marker of His Acknowledgement
Pharaoh ordered the Hebrew baby boys to be killed, but the midwives feared God and protected them. Two otherwise unknown women are named in Scripture while powerful rulers fade into the background. God’s attention to these faithful women reminds us that no act of obedience is insignificant to Him.
V. 20–22 — A Marker of His Presence
Even as darkness increased, God continued providing for His people and preparing them for what was ahead. Exodus reminds us that God leaves markers throughout our lives—signs of His love, presence, and control. Difficult seasons do not always mean we are in the wrong place. Sometimes they are part of the story God is faithfully unfolding.
Watch for God’s markers, especially in the harder seasons of life, because even there He is reminding us that He is present, faithful, and still guiding the story.
REMEMBER
Just because something is hard doesn’t mean we’re in the wrong place—watch for God’s markers of His presence, love and faithfulness in it.
Word of the Week: Markers
REFLECT
Where might I be assuming that difficulty means I’ve stepped outside of God’s will, instead of asking what He might be forming in me there?
In this season, where do I see—even faintly—signs of God’s presence, and am I humble enough to notice them?
Who in my life might God be using as a “hidden” marker of His care, and am I willing to value them the way He does?
RESPOND
God,
when the road feels hard and uncertain,
steady my heart in You.
Keep me from assuming struggle means absence,
or that difficulty means I have wandered.
Give me humble eyes
to notice Your quiet markers—
Your presence woven through the everyday.
Form in me a faithful, attentive spirit,
ready to see what You are doing
even when I don’t yet understand.
Amen.
RELATE
Practice becoming someone who names the markers for others. In your church family and community, don’t assume people already see God at work in their lives—speak it out. A simple word of encouragement, a text, a prayer spoken over someone in passing, or pointing out evidence of God’s faithfulness in their story can help them notice what they might otherwise miss.
At the same time, choose humility by receiving that same encouragement when it comes your way. Let others help you see God’s markers in your life, especially in seasons that feel heavy or unclear.
REHEARSE
So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and few very strong. Exodus 1:20
READ
Revisit: Exodus 1
Read ahead: Exodus 2
REJOICE
