1 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 Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin,
4 Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.
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.
8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.
9 And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier 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 taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.
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 rigor:
14 And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in mortar, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigor.
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:
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.
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 said 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 pass, 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.
The book of Exodus is the second book of the Old Testament in the Holy Bible. It continues the story of the Israelites from the book of Genesis, where God made a covenant with Abraham and promised to make his descendants into a great nation. The book of Exodus begins with the Israelites living in Egypt, where they have become a large and prosperous people. However, a new Pharaoh comes to power who does not remember Joseph, the Israelite who had saved Egypt from famine. This new Pharaoh sees the Israelites as a threat and enslaves them, leading to the events that will ultimately lead to their liberation and the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham.
1. Oppression and Persecution
The first chapter of Exodus sets the stage for the main theme of the book, which is the oppression and persecution of the Israelites by the Egyptians. The new Pharaoh, who does not know Joseph, sees the Israelites as a threat and enslaves them, forcing them into hard labor and treating them harshly. This theme of oppression and persecution will continue throughout the book as the Israelites struggle to gain their freedom from the Egyptians.
2. God's Faithfulness and Promise
Despite the Israelites' suffering, the first chapter of Exodus also highlights God's faithfulness and promise to His people. Despite being enslaved and oppressed, the Israelites continue to multiply and prosper, just as God had promised to Abraham. This shows that even in the midst of hardship, God remains faithful to His promises and will ultimately deliver His people from their suffering.
3. God's Sovereignty and Power
The first chapter of Exodus also emphasizes God's sovereignty and power over all things. Despite the Pharaoh's attempts to suppress the Israelites, God's plan for His people cannot be thwarted. He continues to work behind the scenes, orchestrating events and using even the actions of the Pharaoh to bring about His ultimate plan for the Israelites' liberation.
4. The Importance of Remembering
Another theme that can be seen in this chapter is the importance of remembering. The new Pharaoh did not remember Joseph and the good he had done for Egypt, which ultimately led to the oppression of the Israelites. This serves as a reminder for the Israelites to remember their past and the promises of God, as well as a warning for future generations to not forget the faithfulness of God.
For Christians, the first chapter of Exodus holds great significance as it sets the foundation for the rest of the book and the story of God's people. It also foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ and the ultimate liberation of God's people from the oppression of sin and death.
1. The Importance of Remembering God's Promises
Just as the Israelites were called to remember God's promise to Abraham, Christians are also called to remember God's promises to His people. In the midst of trials and suffering, it can be easy to forget God's faithfulness and promises. However, the first chapter of Exodus serves as a reminder to always remember and trust in God's promises, even when they seem impossible.
2. God's Sovereignty and Power Over All Things
The first chapter of Exodus also highlights God's sovereignty and power over all things. This is a comforting reminder for Christians that no matter what challenges or struggles they may face, God is in control and will work all things for His ultimate plan and purpose. It also serves as a reminder to trust in God's power and not rely on our own strength.
3. The Foreshadowing of Jesus Christ
As Christians, we can also see the foreshadowing of Jesus Christ in the first chapter of Exodus. Just as the Israelites were enslaved and oppressed by the Egyptians, humanity was enslaved and oppressed by sin. And just as God delivered the Israelites from their bondage, He sent Jesus to deliver us from the bondage of sin and death. This chapter serves as a reminder of God's ultimate plan for salvation through Jesus Christ.
4. The Call to Stand Against Oppression and Injustice
The oppression and persecution of the Israelites in Exodus serves as a reminder for Christians to stand against oppression and injustice in the world. As followers of Christ, we are called to love and care for our neighbors, and this includes standing up against any form of oppression and injustice. The first chapter of Exodus serves as a call to action for Christians to be a voice for the oppressed and to work towards justice and equality for all.
The first chapter of Exodus sets the stage for the rest of the book and the story of God's people. It highlights themes of oppression, God's faithfulness and promise, His sovereignty and power, and the importance of remembering. For Christians, this chapter holds great significance as it foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ and serves as a reminder to trust in God's promises, stand against oppression and injustice, and remember His sovereignty and power over all things. It is a powerful reminder of God's love and faithfulness towards His people, and a call to action for us to live out our faith in the world.
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