Exodus 1
-Four hundred and thirty years after the time of Joseph
(Exodus 12:40, Acts 7:6), the Hebrew children are set free to return to their
promised land. Exodus begins before this releasing with a new king who arises
over Egypt that did not know Joseph and feared the multiplication and might of
the Hebrew people. Therefore, oppression becomes the theme of the first chapter
of Exodus. He enslaves the sons and daughters of Israel making them labor vigorously
building storage cities in Pithom and Raamses and making them work hard in the
fields. They worked with brick and mortar very rigorously as slaves.
-The dread of the sons of Israel continued to grow as they
kept multiplying and increasing in might. The Egyptian rulers made their lives
bitter with increasingly hard labor, but God was with His children.
-The king of Egypt plotted against the Hebrew boy population
by telling the Hebrew midwives to put to death males that were being born.
However, these women feared God and did not do as the Pharaoh commanded. The
LORD blessed them for their fear of Him and established households for them
even though they had lied to Pharaoh. They had done the greater good of
promoting God’s plan for redemption by saving lives. This, just like with Rahab
later on (Joshua 2:1-6), does not make this a sinless act, but is used for
God’s purposes.
-Pharaoh takes another step in dread of the Hebrews by
commanding the people of his nation to cast every male Hebrew child into the
Nile. The evil of this king is clearly evident and God was now at work to
deliver His people, although it would be a process and take some time (approximately
80 years, Exodus 7:7).
-*Application* Oppression is never a good way to handle your
business. What began as a place of refuge and salvation for the sons of Israel,
in time turned into a place of slavery and bondage. Why did this happen? It was
because the new Pharaoh did not know God and feared an uprising against him. He
was egotistical and wanted to build his own kingdom rather than making good
lives for the people in his land. Being a good leader of whatever domain God
has given is important. Treat your people with the love of God and bless them
with favor. In other words, be the opposite kind of person this new king of
Egypt was. Also, we see the blessings of obedience to God rather than man in
the story. Resolve to fear God over man in every situation and you will incur
His favor.
Verse to Memorize:
Exodus 1:8
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