““As the time drew near when God would fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt greatly increased.”
Acts 7:17 (NLT)
Stephen reminds us in Acts 7 that Jacob’s family came to Egypt as just seventy-five people while Joseph was in charge. But as the time drew near for God to fulfill what he promised Abraham, the people of God in Egypt greatly increased. Seventy-five came, but many left—and it tells me God can grow what looks small while he’s getting ready to fulfill his word.
When Abraham first received the promise, it was just two people—Abraham and Sarah—and they didn’t even have a child yet. Still, God promised descendants who would not only occupy the land, but worship him there. He’s not just a promise maker, he’s a promise keeper, and he will do what he said he would do.
What grips me is how their oppression didn’t shrink them—it strengthened them. Egypt turned them into slaves, and somehow God’s people became strong. In slavery—difficult, painful, miserable, and undesirable—he was teaching them to follow someone else, to not be in charge, to be led. Egypt was preparing them to follow the Lord in the promised land. They became a nation inside another nation, being prepared for the day they would leave. And that’s the point—God was forming worship in them by forming submission. You can’t worship someone you’re in charge of. You worship someone more powerful than you.
God used years of oppression on his people for his glory and their good, even when it didn’t feel good. So I wonder what might be growing in the middle of misery right now. What might be multiplying because the time is drawing near for a promise God has spoken over your life to be fulfilled. The time is drawing near for God to do something in your life—something might be greatly increasing right now to prepare you for it. What do you need to be patient with, and what do you need to submit to instead of escaping? Keep being obedient, faithful, and move forward in faith today—God will fulfill his promises.