Week of Monday February 2 – February 8
Live Free or Die! – Man as Defender
Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens … So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves. - Exodus 1:8-11a, 13 ESV
As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday this year, it is good to reflect on our history and the heroes of the American War for Independence. Many patriot pastors drew parallels between the children of Israel suffering in slavery under a cruel Egyptian pharaoh and the American colonists suffering under the tyranny of a British king. Many courageous men heeded the call to stand and fight for America’s freedom. One of those men was John Stark from New Hampshire.
During the French and Indian War (1754-1763), Stark fought for the British as part of Major Robert Rogers’ renowned Rangers. However, when Britain became the enemy, Stark joined the patriot cause, despite his former commanding officer’s attempts to persuade him otherwise. Stark’s son noted that “Col. Stark assured him that no proffers of rank or wealth could induce him to abandon the cause of his oppressed country. ‘I have,’ he said, ‘taken up arms in her defence and, God willing, I will never lay them down until she has became a free and independent nation.’”
And fight he did. Stark provided courageous and critical leadership in the battles of Bunker Hill, Bennington, and Saratoga. Years later, at over 80 years old, he was asked by the surviving veterans of Bennington to give a toast reflecting on that battle and the Revolution. He famously replied with “Live Free or Die....” These words later became New Hampshire’s state motto in 1945. These powerful words capture not only the spirit of our nation’s founding but also hold spiritual relevance for men of God.
In our Scripture passage, it is said that Jacob’s descendants grew numerous and flourished in fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham. However, a regime change in Egypt led to God’s people being seen as a threat rather than a blessing. To address this “problem,” Pharaoh decided to enslave the people of Israel and assign them taskmasters to crush their spirits. Later, when the people continued to multiply, the regime sought to eliminate their male newborns. Not surprisingly, the people cried out to God for relief.
God had His eye on the people of Israel. He saw their suffering and listened to their prayers. Through His servant Moses, He delivered His chosen people by sending plagues and performing miracles. Furthermore, Pharaoh (who viewed himself as a “god”) and his taskmasters got a heaping helping of judgment by way of God’s mastery over creation. “The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord,” God declared.
Today, we live in a world that suffers under the tyranny of Satan. Many people’s minds have been captured and enslaved by the ideologies of Hell. As a result, their lives are often marked by misery and despair. God has called us to continue His mission of liberating the captives through the light of His gospel. We must resolve to live free, set others free, and defend that freedom in Jesus’ name!
Live Free or Die! – Man as Defender
Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens … So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves. - Exodus 1:8-11a, 13 ESV
As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday this year, it is good to reflect on our history and the heroes of the American War for Independence. Many patriot pastors drew parallels between the children of Israel suffering in slavery under a cruel Egyptian pharaoh and the American colonists suffering under the tyranny of a British king. Many courageous men heeded the call to stand and fight for America’s freedom. One of those men was John Stark from New Hampshire.
During the French and Indian War (1754-1763), Stark fought for the British as part of Major Robert Rogers’ renowned Rangers. However, when Britain became the enemy, Stark joined the patriot cause, despite his former commanding officer’s attempts to persuade him otherwise. Stark’s son noted that “Col. Stark assured him that no proffers of rank or wealth could induce him to abandon the cause of his oppressed country. ‘I have,’ he said, ‘taken up arms in her defence and, God willing, I will never lay them down until she has became a free and independent nation.’”
And fight he did. Stark provided courageous and critical leadership in the battles of Bunker Hill, Bennington, and Saratoga. Years later, at over 80 years old, he was asked by the surviving veterans of Bennington to give a toast reflecting on that battle and the Revolution. He famously replied with “Live Free or Die....” These words later became New Hampshire’s state motto in 1945. These powerful words capture not only the spirit of our nation’s founding but also hold spiritual relevance for men of God.
In our Scripture passage, it is said that Jacob’s descendants grew numerous and flourished in fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham. However, a regime change in Egypt led to God’s people being seen as a threat rather than a blessing. To address this “problem,” Pharaoh decided to enslave the people of Israel and assign them taskmasters to crush their spirits. Later, when the people continued to multiply, the regime sought to eliminate their male newborns. Not surprisingly, the people cried out to God for relief.
God had His eye on the people of Israel. He saw their suffering and listened to their prayers. Through His servant Moses, He delivered His chosen people by sending plagues and performing miracles. Furthermore, Pharaoh (who viewed himself as a “god”) and his taskmasters got a heaping helping of judgment by way of God’s mastery over creation. “The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord,” God declared.
Today, we live in a world that suffers under the tyranny of Satan. Many people’s minds have been captured and enslaved by the ideologies of Hell. As a result, their lives are often marked by misery and despair. God has called us to continue His mission of liberating the captives through the light of His gospel. We must resolve to live free, set others free, and defend that freedom in Jesus’ name!
- Are you truly living in the spiritual freedom that God intends for you in this life? Are you allowing Him to guide you and using your abilities to help liberate those who are held captive by sin?
- What actions are you taking to embody the spirit of “Live Free or Die”?
- Ask God to give you a desire to liberate those who are spiritually enslaved.