A People Oppressed

Exodus 1:8-14; 2:23-25

GOLDEN TEXT: “And He said, Certainly I will be with thee.”—Exodus 3:12

THE wonderful story of the manner in which God’s hand has been over the natural descendants of Abraham to bless and preserve them as a people and as a nation is always one of inspiration to spiritual Israelites. It is especially so now, when, as at the time they were in bondage to the Egyptians, they are in a hopeless plight except for God’s purpose and ability to deliver them. Our Golden text is a promise of God to Moses, assuring this great leader of the divine presence to guide and help him in the gigantic task of delivering the Israelites. God made good this promise and the Israelites were delivered.

Today’s lesson picks up the narrative of Israel’s experiences at a point following the death of Joseph. Exclusive of Joseph there were only seventy Israelitish “souls” who migrated to Egypt from Canaan. In the Lord’s providence this number rapidly increased, and by sheer numerical superiority, posed a threat to the Egyptian population of the land—at least, so Pharaoh thought.

There was now a new king in Egypt, one who, according to the account, “knew not Joseph.” The Pharaoh who knew Joseph appreciated too highly what an Israelite had done for him and for the country to deal other than kindly and generously with this people as a whole. Had his successors been of the same mind the Israelites would not have desired to return to the land of their fathers. The Scriptures explain that God raised up the Pharaoh of the Exodus. This was evidently in order that the Israelites might be oppressed and thus made to realize that Egypt was not their home, and working for the Egyptians not their destiny.

We are not to suppose that God directly supervised the birth, environment and training of this Pharaoh in order to make him a bad character. The thought is, rather, that this man was already of a stubborn, cruel nature, and that God, seeing this, overruled matters to bring him to the throne of Egypt at a time when he would unwittingly serve the divine purpose. The Scriptures say that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, but the narrative indicates clearly that this was done by showing mercy to him each time he stated his willingness to permit the Hebrews to leave the country.

Taskmasters were appointed to oppress the Israelites. This was done in the belief that it would reduce the birth rate among them. The method not only failed, but actually resulted in the very opposite of that which had been hoped. The Israelites increased in number more rapidly than before. It was then decided that all the male children of the Israelites should be killed at birth. The mid-wives were instructed to carry out this ruthless edict.

Satan has attempted many times, through persecution, to destroy the church of this Gospel age, but has failed. When a group of the Lord’s people are persecuted it seems to produce such a determination to carry on and survive, that their increased zeal in promoting the truth often results in an actual increase of numbers. In such cases the circumstances are of course, different from those of the Israelites in Egypt, but the principle is similar.

The burdens imposed upon the Israelites had their desired effect from God’s standpoint, for they were forced to call upon him for deliverance. “And God heard their groaning,” the account reads, and “remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.”

In considering God’s dealings with natural Israel it should always be remembered that they were a covenant people. God had a responsibility toward them. He had made wonderful promises, not only to give them the land of Canaan, but through the seed of Abraham to bless all the families of the earth. While this promised blessing will come primarily through the spiritual seed of Abraham, it was essential that the natural seed be preserved, and the faithful among them prepared to be channels of his blessings also.

On account of this, God has never hesitated to punish Israel for her sins. When they recognize and acknowledge their sins, and cry to him for mercy and help, he is always ready to hear their petitions. He heard them in Egypt and responded to their cry by sending Moses to deliver them from bondage. And he will do the same today. In their present experiences the Israelites have not yet recognized their national sin in crucifying Christ. But in the climax of “Jacob’s trouble” their eyes will be opened to this great truth. The prophecies show that they will then repent, ask forgiveness, and that God will deliver them. And a mighty deliverance that will be!

QUESTIONS:

In what sense did God raise up the Pharaoh of the Exodus?

Why does God manifest so much interest in the Israelites?

Is God now ready to hear the prayers of the Israelites if they recognize and acknowledge their sins?

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