day no. 16,302: out of Egypt one way or another

"God's saints left Egypt in different ways. Joseph came a slave and died a prince. Moses grew up as a prince and left with all the slaves. Joseph left after he died, when his bones were moved. Moses left before he died." — Douglas Wilson, Empires of Dirt

Joseph and Moses were both rightly related to the State even though they related to it very differently. Joseph served a State that had enslaved him and Moses left a State that had adopted him. God brought Joseph to Egypt and was with him while he was there. God led Moses out of Egypt and was with him in his exodus. Joseph acquired Egyptian gold and nobility while Moses abandoned the riches and titles of Egypt. Both Joseph and Moses were men of God and both lived in Egypt, but neither were buried there. Joseph's bones were brought back home and Moses was buried only God knows where in the wilderness. Joseph's affluence provided for other's poverty while Moses' poverty provided others with affluence. Joseph put on Egyptian clothes and Moses took his off. God promoted Joseph to an official place of power and God employed Moses to show off His power. God used Joseph's influence to save Israel and God used Moses' witness to save Israel. Two men, one God, two approaches, one State, one outcome.

May God grant us wisdom to overthrow Pharaohs as well, whether by winning them over or by winning against them in battle. May God deliver us as well, whether by blessings or by curses. May God always free Israel from Egypt. Amen.