Exodus 1

Overview:

(NET) Chapter 1 introduces the theme of bondage in Egypt and shows the intensifying opposition to the fulfillment of promises given earlier to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The first seven verses announce the theme of Israel’s prosperity in Egypt. The second section (vv. 8–14) reports continued prosperity in the face of deliberate opposition. The third section (vv. 15–21) explains the prosperity as divine favor in spite of Pharaoh’s covert attempts at controlling the population. The final verse records a culmination in the developing tyranny and provides a transition to the next section—Pharaoh commands the open murder of the males. The power of God is revealed in the chapter as the people flourish under the forces of evil. However, by the turn of affairs at the end of the chapter, the reader is left with a question about the power of God—“What can God do?” This is good Hebrew narrative, moving the reader through tension after tension to reveal the sovereign power and majesty of the LORD God, but calling for faith every step of the way.

...the word for “Names,” drawn from the beginning of the book. The inclusion of the names at this point forms a literary connection to the book of Genesis. It indicates that the Israelites living in bondage had retained a knowledge of their ancestry, and with it, a knowledge of God’s promise.

(1) repeated words: numbers of Israelites v.1-6, multiplied, strong v.7, numerous, stronger than Egyptians v.9, they will continue to multiply v.10, the more the Egyptians oppressed them [the Israelites] the more they multiplied and spread v.12, and finally in v.20, the people multiplied and became very strong.

God is the one behind the phenomenon of the multiplication in numbers. It was both a command God gave to Adam as well as a blessing God gave to Abraham.

(2) The king who tried to stop the growth of Israelites. 

v.10a 1:10 Come, let’s deal wisely with them.

(NET) So a skillful decision is required to prevent the Israelites from multiplying any more.

What was in his mind? He wanted them to think life is very hard v.11-14. What does it have to do with Israel having many children? He might think that if their life was hard they did not want to have children. 

(3) (NET) The third section (vv. 15–21) explains the prosperity as divine favor in spite of Pharaoh’s covert attempts at controlling the population. 

Note, how brave were the midwives! They were opposing the will of the most powerful king in the ancient world-the Pharaoh v.17,19. Note, also that the name of Pharaoh was not mentioned, but the names of the midwives were! God remembers small peoples when they do His will. 

Did the midwives lie to the king? 1: 19 The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women—for the Hebrew women are vigorous; they give birth before the midwife gets to them!”

(NET) The point of this brief section is that the midwives respected God above the king. They simply followed a higher authority that prohibited killing. Fearing God is a basic part of the true faith that leads to an obedient course of action and is not terrified by worldly threats. There probably was enough truth in what they were saying to be believable, but they clearly had no intention of honoring the king by participating in murder, and they saw no reason to give him a straightforward answer. God honored their actions.

 1:21 And because the midwives feared God, he made households for them. 

(NAC) Did Israelite midwives normally not have children? Apparently they did not. The evidence from the ancient world is sketchy, but these verses are worded in such a way as to suggest strongly that most midwives were women who had not been blessed with children of their own, thus enabling them to spend the required long hours out of the house both day and night that would otherwise have been difficult for women with children.

Reflection: With Joseph, the family of Israel multiplied and grew strong in a foreign land. Without Joseph, their increase in numbers became a threat to the Egyptians king. However, with God Who is always there and be their protector, Israel remains! Some people believe that when certain president steps down that their lives will turn bad. It may, but God is always there!

God protected Israel by 2 Hebrew midwives. They feared God and did the things that pleased Him.  God remembered them and blessed them. Do you fear God and choose to do things that pleases Him? Or we are afraid of man and do not fear God? 

Do you think your job is very insignificant and does not matter? God used small people. If we are faithful in what we do it does not matter how insignificant that will be. 

Audrey