Hello and welcome to today’s bible study on Exodus 1 where we will read about Israel’s suffering in Egypt. According to Bible scholars, the events of Exodus 1 took place in 1800 B.C. – 1539 B.C. approximately. This is the first chapter in the book of Exodus.
As usual, I encourage you to turn to Exodus 1 in your Bible. Kindly invite the Holy Spirit to guide you as you read and study Exodus 1. I mention this in all the Bible Studies because it is only through the Holy Spirit that we get fresh revelation and knowledge to understand the word of God. No one else can teach you better than the Holy Spirit Himself. I am using the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible, just in case you want to know.
In the Bible Study on Genesis 50, we read about Jacob’s burial and Joseph’s forgiveness of his brothers and his life and death in Egypt. Well, in today’s bible study on Exodus 1 we will read about Israel’s suffering in Egypt under Pharaoh.
Backstory on Genesis 50
In Genesis 50, Jacob was buried by Joseph and his brothers. They buried him in the cave of Machpelah which Abraham had brought from the Hittites to bury Sarah, his wife. Jacob was the only patriarch to be embalmed according to Egyptian traditions. Joseph forgave his brothers and took care of them and provided for them and their families. He raised even his great-grandchildren and died when he was 110 years old after having lived a long life.
Without any further delay, let us study together Exodus Chapter 1, shall we?
Exodus1 Summary
Israel’s children who came to Egypt with Jacob were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. In total, there were seventy descendants of Jacob, with Joseph already in Egypt. After Joseph and his brothers and their entire generation died, the children of Israel multiplied greatly and filled the land.
A new king rose in Egypt who was unaware of Joseph. He feared the growing number of Israelites. He feared that they would join Egypt’s enemies in the event of a war and fight against him. To control them, he appointed taskmasters, forcing them into hard labor in supply cities like Pithom and Raamses. Despite the oppression, the Israelites multiplied, increasing the Egyptians’ dread, who, in turn, made their lives bitter with rigorous work.
Pharaoh ordered the Hebrew midwives Shiphrah and Puah to kill the child if it was a male when the Hebrew women gave birth. They feared God and did not follow Pharaoh’s orders. When he called them to question their disobedience, they replied that the Hebrew women were vigorous and gave birth before the midwives arrived. As a result, God’s people multiplied and became very strong. Therefore, God treated the midwives well and also provided households for them.
In response, Pharaoh commanded all the Hebrew people to throw every newborn son into the river and save only the newborn daughter.
Exodus 1 Commentary
1. Exodus 1:8-10
The Israelites were so numerous that the Egyptians feared they might join their enemies in the event of a war. The Egyptians treated the Israelites unfairly and burdened them with heavy labor for no fault of theirs. Moreover, Egypt was a large nation, and for a king to worry about being outnumbered was no small thing. They feared that the Israelites could join their enemies because they were well aware of how badly they treated them.
Who was the Pharaoh who oppressed the Israelites?
Amenemhet III, also known as Sesostris III or Senwosret III, is widely considered to be the Pharaoh who ordered the killing of infants. He left behind many statues of himself, which display his rough facial expressions and a downward-looking mouth, reinforcing the sternness of his features.
2. Exodus 1:11-14
When the enemy fears you, he tries to oppress you. Pharaoh feared the Israelites because of their strength and number and, as a result, placed them under oppression and bondage. The supply cities of Pithom and Raamses were built in Goshen by the Israelites because they dwelt there for many generations based on Joseph’s instructions to their forefathers. The Lord multiplied them exceedingly to strengthen them.
3. Exodus 1:15-22
Pharaoh used Hebrew midwives to attempt to kill Hebrew male children. Satan can use anyone (even a king like Pharaoh) to oppose God’s kingdom, but God prevails ultimately. The midwives feared God, and they did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and as a result, the Lord blessed them.
Exodus 1 Lessons
1. Both the enemy and God have plans for you
The enemy devised a plan to oppress the Israelites through Pharaoh, intending to make their lives miserable in Egypt. In contrast, God increased the number of Israelites for a purpose: to strengthen them against the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt to claim the promised land. The plans of the enemy and the plans of God are always in direct opposition to one another.
2. Fearing God and acting righteously brings God’s blessing
When we fear God more than we fear man and act righteously as a result, God will shower His blessings upon us. This is exemplified in the case of Shiphrah and Puah, who feared God more than they feared Pharaoh. By disobeying Pharaoh, they even risked their lives to do what was right in the sight of God. As a result, God favored and blessed them.
3. The enemy works in cycles
Pharaoh attempted to kill all the firstborn Jewish males to prevent them from rising against him in the event of a war. In hindsight, this may have been a strategy to stop Moses from coming forth to lead the people to the promised land. This cycle was repeated during the time of Jesus when King Herod ordered the death of all male children two years and younger in an effort to kill Jesus, thereby mirroring the events of Exodus from many years earlier.
Conclusion
This concludes the bible study lesson on Exodus 1, the first chapter in the book of Exodus. I hope you enjoyed this free bible study and found it helpful in your Bible study journey. Feel free to share it with your friends and family. Also, share your thoughts and what the Holy Spirit has revealed to you about Exodus 1. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Until next time!