Dreams Come True

In Genesis 39-45 we see Joseph in Egypt, rising to the top with God's help. Such is the fulfillment of the dreams that he told his brothers. Joseph's integrity and trust in God helped out, but all in all it was God's plan from the beginning. Pharaoh's dreams also come true, and he puts Joseph in charge of the country to prepare for the famine predicted.

God has plans for us and our future, to use us for His glory and His kingdom.  Our obedience and preparation are a part of that plan.  Let us all be willing in our hearts to say "Thy kingdom come."

Chrysalis

In Genesis 46-50 we see Jacob coming down to Egypt along with his sons.  There he blesses Joseph and gives a glimpse of what will happen with each of his sons, some glimpses being better than others.  We also see Joseph and his brothers reaching an understanding between each other, and choosing to live in Egypt in harmony.  Genesis ends with the death of Joseph and the nation of Israel in the land of Egypt.

Just as a caterpillar does not stay a caterpillar forever, so Jacob and his family would not be just a group of wandering shepherds forever.  In Egypt a metamorphosis would take place -- they went in as a family, they came out as a nation.

Escape Artist

Exodus 1-2 introduces Moses, the man who would deliver Israel from Egypt.  Moses is born while Israel is enslaved to Egypt, and while Hebrew boys are being killed in order to weaken the people.  God delivers Moses from death into the court of Pharaoh himself.  There he grows and becomes a part of Pharaoh's family until he sees an Egyptian beating a Hebrew.  In taking action he becomes a fugitive and flees to Midian, where he starts a family.

Escape Plan

In Exodus 3-6 God talks with Moses.  God remembers His people and plans to deliver them.  Moses has questions with God's plan, mainly dealing with his own inadequacies, but also dealing with the mysterious nature of God Himself.  God reassures Moses, and Moses speaks to Pharaoh, who responds by increasing the workload on the Hebrews.  Moses complains to God about this, and God responds by saying that the time is ripe for the escape plan to be carried out.