SCRIPTURE: EXODUS 1
INTRODUCTION:
Exodus means “exit” or “departure”. This book was written by Moses. It tells about the story of Israelites being freed from the slavery in Egypt. Moses was called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt to Canaan, the promised land. It recorded the 10 plagues, the Passover and their journey guided by God in a pillar of clouds by day and a pillar of fire by night. They crossed the Red Sea and settled at Mount Sinai for about a year. Here, God gave His people the Ten commandments, priests and tabernacle for worshiping Him. Israel was identified as God’s holy nation and its people God’s chosen people.
Exodus is the book of redemption of Israelites from slavery which pictures Christ’s redemption of sinners from the slavery of sin. Moses delivered God’s people through the blood of the lamb. Christ redeemed us through His blood on the cross.
BIBLE VERSES:
“The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, “When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.” (Exodus 1:15-16)
“Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Every Hebrew boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live.”” (Exodus 1:22)
THE ISRAELITES OPPRESSED (vs. 1-22)
The descendants of Jacob were all in Egypt. When Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died, the Israelites were fruitful and multiplied greatly. Their numbers were exceedingly numerous and the land was filled with them.
A new king who did not know Joseph came to power in Egypt. He was afraid that if war broke out, the Israelites might join their enemies and fight them. So, he oppressed them and put them to slavery with forced labor of hand work in brick and mortars and fields. He told the midwives to kill the Israelites boys upon child delivery and keep the girls only. But the midwives feared the Lord. They did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do. God was kind to the midwives and gave them families of their own. Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: “Every boy that is born, you must throw them into the Nile, but let every girl live” (v. 22)
THOUGHTS:
The new king considered the Israelites a threat to their country. That was why he planned a strategy to kill all the male babies at birth. Satan also used King Herod to slay baby Jesus by ordering all babies two years and under be killed.
The midwives defy the king’s order and God bless their faith. Remember this passage: “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29)
Pharaoh was afraid the Israelites were becoming so numerous that they would organize and threaten his kingdom. So he made them slaves and oppressed them to kill their spirit and stop their growth. But no one can stop what God has planned.
The midwives showed great courage and love for God by risking their lives to disobey Pharaohs command. They spared the Hebrew babies and take a stand to what was right. God does not want us to obey those in authority when they ask us to disobey Him. We must stand for what is right according to His Word.