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Sermon Overview

After spending 3 years studying the book of Genesis, we begin the book of Exodus with Exodus 1, “Blessed Yet Persecuted”.

Dr. Ed Pilapil Jr. Senior Pastor

Exodus 1 NASB

1 Now these are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob; they came each one with his household: 2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah; 3 Issachar, Zebulun and Benjamin; 4 Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 5 All the persons who came from the loins of Jacob were seventy in number, but Joseph was already in Egypt. 6 Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation. 7 But the sons of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly, and multiplied, and became exceedingly mighty, so that the land was filled with them.

8 Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 He said to his people, “Behold, the people of the sons of Israel are more and mightier than we. 10 Come, let us deal wisely with them, or else they will multiply and in the event of war, they will also join themselves to those who hate us, and fight against us and depart from the land.” 11 So they appointed taskmasters over them to afflict them with hard labor. And they built for Pharaoh storage cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out, so that they were in dread of the sons of Israel. 13 The Egyptians compelled the sons of Israel to labor rigorously; 14 and they made their lives bitter with hard labor in mortar and bricks and at all kinds of labor in the field, all their labors which they rigorously imposed on them.

15 Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other was named Puah; 16 and he said, “When you are helping the Hebrew women to give birth and see them upon the birthstool, if it is a son, then you shall put him to death; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” 17 But the midwives [n]feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live. 18 So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this thing, and let the boys live?” 19 The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife can get to them.” 20 So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied, and became very mighty. 21 Because the midwives feared God, He established households for them. 22 Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “Every son who is born you are to cast into the Nile, and every daughter you are to keep alive.”

Notes

Exodus is a continuation of Genesis. The seventy descendants of Jacob who migrated to the protected “womb” of Egypt grew to probably between two to three million people. They were about to be birthed as a nation with laws. But there would be birth pains. The Exodus is believed to have happened in 1446 BCE but some contest that it was 1290 BCE.

The word “Exodus” literally means "exit”, “escape”, or “departure”. The book of Exodus records the power of God, His deliverance, the name of God, His laws, and how God must be worshipped. The book showed that God is in control. God would use the new king for His purpose. The new king did not know of Joseph. The ruler either did not appreciate history, or it was a new dynasty that did not care.

1. The new king (or Pharaoh), is threatened by the growing number of Israelites. The Egyptians perceived Israel to be mightier than them. They feared that they would become a military force and side with their enemies. Something had to be done.

2. Therefore the new king set taskmasters over them and used Israel as a labor force to build cities. The taskmasters made them mix mortar, bricks, and made them work the fields. However, the people of Israel still grew in number despite the busy schedule and the physical rigor.

3. The new king then instructed the Egyptian midwives to kill the baby boys. But the midwives feared God and made an excuse to the king that the Israelite women are strong and they give birth before they arrive. The king then ordered all baby boys to be thrown into the Nile River.

Application

1. Expect God’s blessings, but also expect people to be threatened. Especially people in authority. Some of them might take action to destroy you.

2. Expect God’s continued blessing even if you are undergoing hardships. God is always at work. His plan will continue to unfold. We need patience.

3. God will send help. Trust God even if you lose precious people or things you hold dear. It might get worse before it gets better.

4. The oppression of Egypt is like the oppression of sin to our souls. Have faith in Christ for your deliverance.