READ: Ex. 1:1–22: … All their service in which they made them serve was with rigor …
The book of Exodus continues God’s revelation about the descendants (the toledoth) of Jacob. The offspring of Jacob’s twelve sons multiply greatly over the years. This also relates directly to the coming of Christ, who will arise from Israel as the Offspring of Abraham.
Due to the LORD’s care, Israel grows from seventy to millions over the centuries! Gradually, Israel begins to outnumber Egypt. Ps. 105:24 sings of this: “He increased His people greatly and made them stronger than their enemies.”
Through this, God fulfills His promise to Abraham that his offspring would be as numerous as the stars of the heavens (Gen. 15:5; 22:7; 26:4).
When grateful remembrance of Joseph’s work fades among the Egyptians, a new king arises who begins to oppress the Israelites. He views them as a threat. In case of war, they might side with Egypt’s enemies and leave the land.
A deep hatred for the Jews emerges, and Israel faces oppression and abuse. The Egyptians try to profit from their labor by forcing them to build new cities. Yet, in spite of the oppression, more and more children are born among the Israelites. The Egyptians respond by harshly increasing the workload and pushing them harder. The king even instructs the midwives to kill Israelite boys at birth.
In this intense oppression and secret murder plots, we again see the seed of the serpent rise against the seed of the woman, just as it did with Cain. But it is not Satan who prevails — God does. The midwives fear God and do not carry out the order. God blesses them for this (vv 20, 21).
The LORD protects His people in faithfulness against the attacks of Satan. After all, they are His treasured possession (Zech. 2:8).
Why does God allow this oppression?
Sing: Ps. 105:4,9