January 20, 2026 - Exodus 1-2

“These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each with his household:  Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher” (1:1-4).  The story of Exodus is powerful.  It tells of God’s faithfulness.  It introduces us to Moses.  It tells of Israel’s unfaithfulness, complaining, and even idolatry.  It tells us about the first Passover meal and continues to point us to Messiah.  All this, but the opening verses quickly caught my attention, this morning:  “These are the names . . .”  I’m not sure it is the best exposition of Scripture, but my thoughts immediately ran to Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount:  “Are you not of more value than they [the birds of the air]?  . . .  Consider the lilies of the field . . . if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious” (Matthew 6:26-32).  God knows and cares, not only for his creation generally, but for us, specifically, as families and as individuals.  He calls our names, and he cares for us.  That’s a comforting thought.

Why should I feel discouraged?

Why should the shadows come?

Why should my heart be lonely

And long for heav’n and home,

When Jesus is my portion?

My constant Friend is He:

His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

I sing because I’m happy—

I sing because I’m free—

For His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.   -- Civilla D. Martin (1905)