A New Pharaoh in Egypt. God's Providence Remains the Same.

A New King, A New Threat. 

"A new king, who knew nothing of Joseph, came to power in Egypt. He said to his subjects, “Look how numerous and powerful the people of the children of Israel are growing, more so than we ourselves! Come, let us deal shrewdly with them to stop their increase; otherwise, in time of war they too may join our enemies to fight against us, and so leave our country.”

"Accordingly, taskmasters were set over the children of Israel to oppress them with forced labor. Thus they had to build for Pharaoh the supply cities of Pithom and Raamses. Yet the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread.

"The Egyptians, then, dreaded the children of Israel and reduced them to cruel slavery, making life bitter for them with hard work in mortar and brick and all kinds of field work—the whole cruel fate of slaves.

"Pharaoh then commanded all his subjects, “Throw into the river every boy that is born to the Hebrews, but you may let all the girls live.”

(Exodus1:8-14, 22). 

Monday July 17th 2023, 15th Week of Ordinary Time. We start the Book of Exodus. 

We know how the children of Israel migrated to Egypt and settled in the country. God blessed and prospered them. Their prosperity excited the envy of the Egyptians until one day after many years, a Pharaoh that knew nothing about Joseph came to the throne of Egypt. 

Now the Egyptian official policy was to treat the Israelites as slaves and humiliate them. 

How did God who lead the Israelites into Egypt react to the present condition of the children of Jacob?

We see in Book of Genesis God's mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence governing the affairs of His Chosen People.  Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph at this time had become distant memory. God never forgot His people. 

The same mighty, merciful and mysterious Providence governs all things including you and me. 

Today's Responsorial Psalm 124 gives the Biblical answer to the Question of God's Mysterious Providence:

"Had not the Lord been with us—

let Israel say, had not the Lord been with us—

When men rose up against us,

then would they have swallowed us alive,

When their fury was inflamed against us."

GOD IS IN FULL CONTROL! 

When misfortune calls, it becomes difficult to understand why God permits such things as wars, famine, illnesses, crimes, abortions, etc. The answers to these questions are in the Bible. As you read and study the Sacred Scripture with the Church, little by little, you will come to understand. 

There is a reason why the Church honors the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in July. 

For Devotion, Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ and other prayers, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/04/devotion-to-most-precious-blood-of.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com