Beneath the Surface

Scripture: Exodus 1:8

Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.

Commentary:
Joseph had passed away, as well as his brothers and all of his generation. However, the sons of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly, and multiplied, and became exceedingly mighty, so that the land was filled with them. The new king, aka, (the new Pharaoh), that arose over Egypt, did not know Joseph; or the history that Joseph had with Pharaoh. This new king began reasoning within himself that the people of Israel would rise up against Egypt, and join with their enemies to destroy the Egyptians.

The new king began plotting on how to decrease the numbers of the Israelites. The first plan that he made, was to have the midwives kill any boys that were born. However, the midwives feared God, and created a story that the Israelite women delivered the babies before they could arrive. The next plan Pharaoh came up with, was to cast all the boys that were born into the Nile.

Because this new Pharaoh had no idea about the relationship of Joseph and Pharaoh, he cut off his own blessings. The reason why the original Pharaoh was so blessed, and had so much land, and people, is because God used Joseph to bless him. Now, there is a new Pharaoh that is afraid of what was created to bless him. He ends up tyring to destroy the very lives of the blessed ones. He also placed heavy burdens on the people, with hopes that they would die in slavery. The same people that willing served Pharaoh because of the wisdom that God had given to Joseph, during a time of famine.

Reflection:
It is important that we know the history of our family, and the relationships that have been established. We should never be too busy, that we fail to communicate with those that are in our households; because the lack of communication can lead to misunderstandings that deter growth.

Relationships require time and investment to build, and passing on critical information about the family is essential to the next generation. We must communicate to those that are within our family, to ensure that important information, and blessings; are passed down from one family member to another.

If there is a lack of communication about our history with eachother, we will not know how to treat one another; because we will only have a surface view of what makes us who we are. But if we take time to really get to know one another, we will have stronger relationships from the very beginning.

If we are beginning a new relationship with someone, we should be able to communicate about anything, to build a stronger relationship. If someone is unwilling to let us see them for who they really are, it is best to step away until they are willing. If they continue to be unwilling, it is best to cut our losses in advance, rather than waste time in shallow waters that lack depth.

It is also important for us to realize that anyone that has authority over us, must have a relationship with God; to be an effective leader. If a leader does not have a personal relationship with God, the blessings that God intended for his people will be stagnated, until that leader lines up, or is replaced; just like with the Children of Israel. The taskmaster that was over them, was brutal and merciless. He desired to have complete control over of God's people, even to the point of death. Therefore, he put unnecessary bondage upon the shoulders of the people; not knowing that the people that he was abusing, willing served Pharaoh during the times of Joseph. Let us not sabotage our new beginnings as did Pharaoh.

Prayer:
Father God, let me never be too busy to communicate with anyone that has the desire to communicate with me; especially with members within my own household. Give me a ear to hear what their heart is saying, and to be genuinely concerned about them. I thank you for the skills of communication that you continually give me to build up your kingdom through effective communication.
Strong's Concordance Definitions:

New 2319
1) new, new thing, fresh

Arose: 6975
1) to rise, arise, stand, rise up, stand up
a) (Qal)
1) to arise
2) to arise (hostile sense)
3) to arise, become powerful
4) to arise, come on the scene
5) to stand
a) to maintain oneself
b) to be established, be confirmed
c) to stand, endure
d) to be fixed
e) to be valid
f) to be proven
g) to be fulfilled
h) to persist
i) to be set, be fixed
b) (Piel)
1) to fulfil
2) to confirm, ratify, establish, impose
c) (Polel) to raise up
d) (Hithpael) to raise oneself, rise up
e) (Hiphil)
1) to cause to arise, raise
2) to raise, set up, erect, build
3) to raise up, bring on the scene
4) to raise up, rouse, stir up, investigate
5) to raise up, constitute
6) to cause to stand, set, station, establish
7) to make binding
8) to carry out, give effect to
f) (Hophal) to be raised up

Over: 5921
1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards
b) above, beyond, over (of excess)
c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)
d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)
e) over (of suspension or extension)
f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)
g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to,, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)
h) to (as a dative)

Egypt: 4714
Egypt = "land of the Copts"
1) a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows
adj
Egyptians = "double straits"
2) the inhabitants or natives of Egypt
Egypt = "land of the Copts"
1) a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows
adj
Egyptians = "double straits"
2) the inhabitants or natives of Egypt

Did not know: 3905
1) to know
a) (Qal)
1) to know
a) to know, learn to know
b) to perceive
c) to perceive and see, find out and discern
d) to discriminate, distinguish
e) to know by experience
f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess
g) to consider
2) to know, be acquainted with
3) to know (a person carnally)
4) to know how, be skilful in
5) to have knowledge, be wise
b) (Niphal)
1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed
2) to make oneself known
3) to be perceived
4) to be instructed
c) (Piel) to cause to know
d) (Poal) to cause to know
e) (Pual)
1) to be known
2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle)
f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare
g) (Hophal) to be made known
h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself

Joseph: 3130
Joseph = "Jehovah has added"
1) the eldest son of Jacob by Rachel
2) father of Igal, who represented the tribe of Issachar among the spies
3) a son of Asaph
4) a man who took a foreign wife in the time of Ezra
5) a priest of the family of Shebaniah in the time of Nehemiah

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Book of Exodus 1 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 21 Jan 2010. http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Exd&c=1&t=NASB

Higgins, S (2010). The Power of Communication. Devotions for Thought. Higgins Publishing. Http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com, Http://www.higginspublishing.com