Exodus 1

Exodus 1:1-7

We have here, 1. God’s kindness to Israel, in multiplying them exceedingly, vers. 1—7. 2. The Egyptians wickedness to them, 1. Oppressing and enslaving them, vers. 8—14. 2. Murdering their children, vers. 15—22. Thus whom the God of heaven blessed, the people of Egypt cursed, and for that reason.

NOW these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, every man and his household came with Jacob. 2. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, 3. Isfahan, Zebulun, and Benjamin, 4. Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Ather. 5. And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob, were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already. 6. And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation. 7. ¶ And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.

The names of the twelve patriarchs, who are now to become twelve tribes, are here recited. They quickly followed Joseph: death, when it once enters, makes great ravages in families. But though that generation passed away, a more numerous one arose: and as the time done nearer, God began more evidently to fulfil the promise made to Abraham. Note, Living or dying, we may be sure of this, God’s promises never fail.

8. Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. 9. And he said unto his people, Be-Vor. I.

hold, the people of the children of Israel are more and more more more than we. 10. Come on, let us deal wisely with them: lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. 11. Therefore they did set over them task-masters, to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pishom and Raamies. 12. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. 13. And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour. 14. And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.

Exodus 1:8-14

We must not promise ourselves long prosperity in this world. Where we have found the warmest love, we may soon experience the bitterest hatred: so passing is the fashion of sublunary comforts. We have,

1. The great unkindness shewn to the Israelites in a succeeding reign: not by Pharaoh’s immediate successor, but one, who at a considerable distance of time, had forgotten the obligations the land lay under to Joseph. Note, We shall often find men ungrateful and unmindful of the kind officers we have done them, but what is done for God, will be had in everlasting remembrance. The poor Israelites are now become obnoxious to the state; their multitude is a plea for their oppression, as if they were a dangerous people; they pretend to fear, lest they revolt to their enemies, or, according to the tradition which was well known, should so code into Gnanah. Note,

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The people of God have been often misrepresented as enemies to the State, in order to countenance opposition and precaution against them. With crafty politics they therefore harrahs them with tears, burdens, buildings, to break their spirits, diminish their numbers, and perhaps with a view to force them to incorporate with the Egyptians, in order to avoid the afflictions of their brethren. Note, (1.) The most deep-laid schemes of the wicked, however wise in their own eyes, will appear fully at the last. (2.) Where men attempt to defeat God’s counsels, their very efforts against them shall sooner produce their accomplishment.

2. The great increase of the Israelites under their opposition. A persecuted church is ever a thriving one.

3. And the king of Egypt shake to the Hebrew midwives (of which the name of one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Pash:) 16. And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the ftools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him, but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. 17. But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men-children alive. 18. And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and laid unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men-children alive? 19. And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women: for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them. 20. Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. 21. And it came to pals, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses. 22. And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, “Every son that is born, ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.”

Exodus 1:15-22

We have here, 1. The inhuman attempt which this tyrant king makes to destroy the children in the birth, by engaging the midwives as instruments of his cruelty. Note, When God’s people are the objects of enmity, persecutors often divest themselves not only of pity, but humanity. 2. The midwives disobedience. No commands could influence, no bribes persuade them to comply. Where we must disobey God or man, there can be no hesitation. He that fears God, as these midwives, will rather risque the loss of man’s favour, nay, of life too, than of his own soul by sin. 3. The reasons they gave to excuse themselves, when called upon, v. 19. Note, it is wise to avert a storm, by an excuse consistent with truth, than irritate it by a flat dental. 4. God’s kindness to them. None who serve his people, shall do it without wages, especially in suffering seasons. God built them houses, gave them a return in kind, for the mercies they had shown. 5. The enraged king facing his designs disappointed, publishes a bloody edict for the immediate destruction of every Hebrew male child that should be born. Note, (1.) Disappointed rage usually makes men more furious. (2.) The patience of the fables must be proved by trial upon trial.