Read Exodus 1:1–7
Questions from the Scripture text: Whose names are listed in the following verses (Exodus 1:1)? With whom did they come? What eleven sons are named in Exodus 1:2-4? Of whom were they descendants (Exodus 1:5)? How many of them were there? Who was where already? Who died in Exodus 1:6? Who else? But what four things does Exodus 1:7 say that the children of Israel did? What happened to the land?
Genesis had begun in Eden and ended in Egypt. Now Exodus is beginning in Egypt and ending at the tabernacle, God's designed place for making His presence to dwell among His people. As Moses will say in his Psalm, “Yahweh, You have been our dwelling place, in all our generations” (cf. Psalm 90:1).
Right now, though, they are in Egypt. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob have passed away. And now the generation of Jacob’s children have died as well (Exodus 1:6). It had been a pretty remarkable advance, from the single thread by which the promise hung from one generation to the next, now to these twelve households (Exodus 1:1)—seventy persons plus the household of Joseph (Exodus 1:2-5).
But now they are in Egypt, and what will happen there? Abram had been told that his seed would be afflicted foreigners for four hundred years (cf. Genesis 15:13), but the Lord has been showing throughout His dealings with man to this point that He delights to bless over-against man’s expectations and possibilities. It is His promise and His pleasure that decides what will happen, not our expectations and abilities.
And so the book of Exodus begins with a perfect example of this. Abraham, gone. Isaac, gone. Jacob, gone. The patriarchs of the twelve tribes, gone. The children of Israel, in Egypt. Now what?
“The children of Israel were fruitful.”
“The children of Israel were fruitful and increased.”
“The children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly.”
“The children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied.”
“The children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew mighty.
“The children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty.
“The children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them.”
The language is so piled up on top of itself that without slowing down in some way to dwell upon it, we might miss the impact that it is designed to have upon us.
Generations come and go, but our God is forever, His promises are sure, and His power does not depend upon any man. Never fret nor fear, dear Christian. Your almighty God is keeping His promises.
What circumstances in your heart, your household, your nation, or the church discourage you? To what encouragement can you look regardless of those circumstances? How will you keep yourself looking there?
Suggested songs: ARP46 “God Is Our Refuge and Our Strength” or TPH243 “How Firm a Foundation”
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