Exodus 1:1-7: a reflection

1Now these are the names of the sons of Israel, who came into Egypt (every man and his household came with Jacob): 2Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, 3Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, 4Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 5All the souls who came out of Jacob’s body were seventy souls, and Joseph was in Egypt already. 6Joseph died, as did all his brothers, and all that generation. 7The children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them.

As the book of Exodus opens, it briefly recalls how Jacob's family, seventy in number, came into Egypt; and then it notes the passing of a generation: Joseph died, as did all his brothers, and all that generation. But the story did not die with them. The children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and grew exceedingly numerous; and the land was filled with them. After the great figures of the past were gone, God's purpose continued, and his people grew, fulfilling the promise across the generations.

Notice that God's purpose advanced even after the key figures had died. Joseph, who had preserved the family, and all his generation, died; the great figures of that chapter passed away. But God's promise, to make of them a great nation, did not die with them; it continued, quietly, as the people multiplied across the following generations. God's purpose was not tied to the lifespan of any one person, however important; it advanced beyond them, working itself out across the generations after they were gone.

That is worth taking to heart, for we can imagine that God's work depends on particular people, and fear it will falter when they are gone. We can feel that some person is so important to God's work that it cannot go on without them; and we can fear for the future when key figures pass. But God's purpose advanced after Joseph and his whole generation had died, growing across the generations that followed. Do not imagine that God's work depends on any one person, or fear that it will fail when key figures are gone; God's purpose advances across the generations, beyond any single life. The God whose promise grew after Joseph died is not dependent on any one of us; his purpose continues beyond us, working itself out across the generations, as Israel multiplied after the great figures of the past were gone. Trust that God's work will continue beyond your lifetime, and the lifetimes of those who seem essential to it, for his purpose advances across the generations.

Lord, as the book of Exodus opens, it briefly recalls how Jacob's family, seventy in number, came into Egypt; and then it notes the passing of a generation: Joseph died, as did all his brothers, and all that generation. But the story did not die with them. The children of Israel were fruitful, and multiplied, and grew exceedingly numerous; and the land was filled with them. After the great figures of the past were gone, your purpose continued, and your people grew, fulfilling the promise across the generations. Show me that your purpose advanced even after the key figures had died. Joseph, who had preserved the family, and all his generation, died; but your promise did not die with them; it continued, quietly, as the people multiplied across the following generations. Your purpose was not tied to the lifespan of any one person, however important; it advanced beyond them. Take that to my heart, for I can imagine that your work depends on particular people, and fear it will falter when they are gone. I can feel that some person is so important to your work that it cannot go on without them; and fear for the future when key figures pass. But your purpose advanced after Joseph and his whole generation had died. Keep me from imagining that your work depends on any one person, or fearing that it will fail when key figures are gone; your purpose advances across the generations, beyond any single life. Help me trust that your work will continue beyond my lifetime, Lord, and the lifetimes of those who seem essential to it, for your purpose advances across the generations.