More Numerous

There are a great number of parallel events in the two
testaments. As I was reading my Bible one morning, I noticed the events in
Exodus 1 and Acts 2-6.  

“But the Israelites were fruitful and multiplied
greatly and became exceedingly numerous so that the land was filled
with them” (v. 7).

“Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become
even more numerous” (v. 10).

“But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied
and spread” (v. 12).

“God was kind to the midwives and the people increased
and became even more numerous” (v. 20).

“About three thousand were added to their number that day”
(Acts 2:41).

“And the Lord added to their number daily
those who were being saved” (v. 47).

“But many who heard the message believed, and the number
grew to about five thousand” (Acts 4:3).

“Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed
in the Lord and were added to their number” (Acts 5:14).

“So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in
Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became
obedient to the faith” (Acts 5:7).

There were three common causes for this multiplication:

·      
God was for them.

·      
The Enemy was against them.

·      
The people obeyed God, not the Enemy.

“The midwives, however, feared God and did not do
what the king of Egypt had told them to do” (Exodus 1:17).

“Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to
obey you rather than God” and “we must obey God rather than men” (Acts 4:19 and
5:29).

The same three things are true today. God is for us, the
Enemy is against us, and we must obey God rather than men. We will then become more
numerous!