Exodus - Chapter 1

Exodus 1.1 Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob. Exodus 1.2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Exodus 1.3 Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, Exodus 1.4 Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. Exodus 1.5 And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already. Exodus 1.6 And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation. Exodus 1.7 And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them. Exodus 1.8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. Exodus 1.9 And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: Exodus 1.10 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. Exodus 1.11 Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. Exodus 1.12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. Exodus 1.13 And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: Exodus 1.14 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 1.15 And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: Exodus 1.16 And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. Exodus 1.17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. Exodus 1.18 And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive? Exodus 1.19 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. Exodus 1.20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. Exodus 1.21 And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses. Exodus 1.22 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 : Chapter 1

Reflections on Israel's Operation in Egypt

Exodus chapter 1 begins a poignant account of the oppression suffered by the people of Israel in Egypt. This seminal text invites us to reflect on how the Israelites' situation radically changed. It highlights the population growth of the Hebrews, the arrival of a new pharaoh who did not know Joseph, as well as the severe oppression imposed on God's people.

Main Themes of the Chapter

This chapter introduces major themes such as:

We invite you to examine with us five biblical passages that are intrinsically linked to the themes of oppression and faithfulness present in this first chapter of Exodus.

Significant Bible Passages

Acts 7:17-19 : "As the time drew near for God to fulfill the promise he had made to Abraham, our people in Egypt greatly increased in number. Then another king, who knew nothing about Joseph, began to rule over Egypt. He dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our ancestors, forcing them to give up their newborn babies to die." This passage summarizes the events of Exodus 1 and demonstrates how this story was memorized in the New Testament.

Genesis 15:13: "Then the Lord said to him, 'Know that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, serving them and being oppressed for four hundred years.'" This prophecy to Abraham anticipates Israel's suffering, emphasizing that the oppression in Egypt was part of God's plan.

Psalm 105:24-25: "The Lord has multiplied his people and made them mighty than his adversaries, whose hearts have turned to hatred against his people and to conspiracy against his servants." This psalm reflects the events of Exodus 1, attributing both the growth of Israel and the Egyptians' hostility toward God.

Hebrews 11:23 : "By faith the newborn Moses was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's decree." This verse evokes the courageous actions of Moses' parents, interpreting their behavior as acts of faith in the face of oppression.

Acts 7:6: "God told him that his descendants would be strangers in a strange land, enslaved and mistreated for four hundred years." This passage, quoted by Stephen, contextualizes the events of Exodus 1 within a larger divine plan, affirming that the oppression of the Israelites was not an accident, but part of the story of redemption.

In sum, Exodus chapter 1 reminds us not only of the oppression experienced by the people of Israel, but also of God's faithfulness to His promise. It encourages us to reflect on our own faith and how we respond to the challenges of our time.