Exodus 1
Exodus 1:1-7: The Israelites Oppressed in Egypt This section introduces the descendants of Jacob, listing the twelve sons of Israel who came to Egypt with their families. It highlights how the Israelites started as a small group but grew into a large nation. The passage also describes the death of Joseph and his brothers, and how the Israelites became very numerous after their deaths. This growth fulfilled God’s promise to Abraham of making his descendants into a great nation, and it sets the stage for the story of their oppression and eventual deliverance.v. 1-4: The names of the twelve sons of Israel—Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher—are listed again (vv. 1-4 a). The Bible often repeats these names so that they become familiar and remind us that God values His people (Acts 7:8 b). – – – v. 5: There were seventy members of Jacob’s family who came to Egypt, not counting Joseph, who was already there (v. 5 c). This number is important because it shows how small their beginning was (Gen. 46:27 d). Moses also says that when God divided the nations, He did it according to the number of the children of Israel (Deut. 32:8 e). Remembering small beginnings helps us see how great God’s blessings are when things grow (Job 8:7 f). v. 6: Joseph died, along with all his brothers and their whole generation (v. 6 g). When Joseph, who supported the family, died, the others died soon after. This reminds us that everyone is passing away and life on earth does not last forever. v. 7: After Joseph and his brothers died, the Israelites grew very quickly. They became fruitful, increased greatly, and became very strong. The land was filled with them, especially the area of Goshen (v. 7 h). This sudden growth happened mostly after Joseph’s death, as God made their numbers a protection for them. This increase fulfilled God’s promise to make Abraham’s descendants a great nation (Gen. 15:5 i). Even when God’s promises seem delayed, they are always fulfilled in the end (Hab. 2:3 j). Jesus said that a grain of wheat must die to produce much fruit, just as Joseph’s death led to Israel’s growth (John 12:24 k). Exodus 1:8-14: The Israelites Oppressed in Egypt This section explains how Egypt, which was once a place of safety for the Israelites, became a land of suffering and slavery. A new king came to power who did not remember Joseph and all the good he had done for Egypt. Fearing the growing strength of the Israelites, the Egyptians tried to control and oppress them. However, despite their harsh treatment, the Israelites continued to multiply and grow stronger, showing that God’s promises could not be stopped by human plans.v. 8: A new king began to rule in Egypt who did not know about Joseph or appreciate what he had done (v. 8 l). This shows that people often forget the good deeds of those who came before, and even great acts are not always remembered by future generations (Eccl. 9:5, 15 m). We should serve God, who always remembers our work (Heb. 6:10; Rev. 14:13 n). This king later even said, “I know not the Lord” (ch. 5:2 o), showing how quickly people can forget both human and divine kindness (1 John 4:20 p). vv. 9-10: The new king told his people that the Israelites were becoming too many and too strong (vv. 9, 10 q). He was afraid that, if there was a war, the Israelites might join Egypt’s enemies and leave the country. He suggested they should “deal wisely” with the Israelites to stop their population from growing. This shows how people who want to harm God’s people often call them dangerous and try to find excuses to mistreat them (Ezra 4:12; Esther 3:8 r). The Egyptians feared Israel would leave for Canaan, the land God had promised them, but no human plan can stop God’s promises from coming true. – vv. 11, 13-14: To control the Israelites, the Egyptians forced them into hard labor and slavery (vv. 11, 13, 14 s). They set taskmasters over them and made them build cities for Pharaoh and work in the fields. The Egyptians made their lives bitter and forced them to work very hard in all kinds of jobs. They hoped this would break the Israelites’ spirits, ruin their health, discourage them from having families, and maybe make them leave their people or join the Egyptians. Some Israelites even started to worship Egyptian gods (Josh. 24:14; Ezek. 20:8 t). Still, God kept them as a separate people. v. 12: The more the Egyptians afflicted the Israelites, the more they multiplied and spread (v. 12 u). This made the Egyptians even more upset. Often, God’s people grow and become stronger during hard times. Persecution cannot stop God’s plans, and those who fight against God’s people only end up frustrating themselves (Ps. 2:1 v). – – Exodus 1:15-22: Pharaoh’s Cruel Command Against the Hebrew Children This section shows how Pharaoh’s fear and hatred toward the Israelites led him to order the killing of all newborn Hebrew boys. The Egyptians became even more cruel as the Israelites continued to grow in number. Pharaoh tried to stop God’s people by attacking the innocent, but God protected the Israelites, especially through the courage of the Hebrew midwives. Even when one evil plan failed, Pharaoh tried another. Yet, God rewarded those who trusted Him and worked for good.vv. 15-16: Pharaoh commanded the Hebrew midwives, named Shiphrah and Puah, to kill every Hebrew boy at birth but let the girls live (vv. 15, 16 w). Pharaoh chose midwives for this cruel job, hoping they would secretly kill the babies and pretend it was natural. This was a very evil and heartless plan. The use of midwives, who should help and protect life, made it even more shocking (Job 3:11 x). – v. 17: The midwives refused to obey Pharaoh because they feared God. They chose to save the baby boys instead (v. 17 y). When the king’s command goes against God’s law, we must obey God rather than people (Acts 4:19; 5:29 z). The fear of God helped the midwives be brave and do what was right. v. 18: Pharaoh called the midwives and asked why they had not killed the baby boys (v. 18 aa). He wanted to know why his orders were not followed. v. 19: The midwives answered Pharaoh by saying that the Hebrew women gave birth quickly, before the midwives arrived (v. 19 ab). This was possible because God was blessing the Israelites with strong families. The midwives noticed God’s help and protection for the Hebrew mothers. v. 20: Because the midwives did not obey Pharaoh and chose to save the babies, God was kind to them. The Israelites continued to multiply and became very strong (v. 20 ac). God always rewards those who do good to His people. v. 21: God gave the midwives families of their own as a reward for their faith and courage (v. 21 ad). Because they feared God, He blessed them with children and success. Serving God brings blessings to our homes. v. 22: When his first plan failed, Pharaoh ordered all his people to throw every Hebrew baby boy into the river, but let the girls live (v. 22 ae). This was an even more public and cruel command. The enemies of God’s people work hard to harm them (Dan. 7:25 af), but God is greater and still in control (Ps. 2:4 ag).
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