Sermon Tone Analysis

Here…

“The logic of the new king is stated (vv.

8-10) and also the policy that resulted from his reasoning (vv.

11-14).”

- The Bible Knowledge Commentary

Or…

The Egyptians’ wickedness to them, 1. Oppressing and enslaving them (v.

8–14)

8Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.

9He 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.”

11So they appointed taskmasters over them to afflict them with hard labor.

And they built for Pharaoh storage cities, Pithom and Raamses.

12But 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.

13The Egyptians compelled the sons of Israel to labor rigorously;

14and 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.

Summary:

A new king rose to power in Egypt and he did not know Joseph.

(v.8)

This new king alarmed his people by telling them that the sons of Israel had grown mightier than they.

(v.9)

Further, he grew worried of potential rebellion and overthrow of established power in the event of war.

Thus, he called his people to take action.

(v.10)

So the king enslaved the sons of Israel.

(v.11)

However, the more Israel was afflicted, the more they multiplied and spread out.

The king and his people were in dread.

(v.12)

The Egyptians forced the sons of Israel to labor rigorously.

(v.13)

The sons of Israel endured hard labor of all kinds and their lives were made bitter.

(v.14)

Commentaries and Study Bible Notes:

1:6-8 “This summary of a lengthy period of time moves the record from the death of Joseph (ca. 1804 B.C.), the last recorded event in Genesis, to the radical change in Israel’s history, i.e., from favor before Egypt’s pharaoh to disfavor and enslavement (ca.

1525-1445 B.C.).” - MacArthur Study Bible

1:9-12 “Another summary of a fairly lengthy period of time, as indicated by the population continuing to grow in spite of increasing hardship imposed on Israel.” - MacArthur Study Bible

1:9 the people.

“An Egyptian pharaoh designated Israel as a nation, marking the first time the term “people” or “nation” is used of them.” - MacArthur Study Bible

“This Pharaoh voiced two reasons for his concern: the alarming increase in the number of the Israelites and the fear of their aligning politically with a foe in time of war.

The words deal shrewdly imply a policy that would check their increase and exploit their labor potential.”

The Bible Knowledge Commentary

“In spite of the Egyptians’ ruthless treatment of the Israelites, God prospered them numerically.”

- The Bible Knowledge Commentary

The land of Egypt here, at length, becomes to Israel a house of bondage, though hitherto it had been a happy shelter and settlement for them.

Note, The place of our satisfaction may soon become the place of our affliction

it is inferred that if care were not taken to keep them under they would become dangerous to the government, and in time of war would side with their enemies and revolt from their allegiance to the crown of Egypt.

Note, It has been the policy of persecutors to represent God’s Israel as a dangerous people, hurtful to kings and provinces, not fit to be trusted, nay, not fit to be tolerated, that they may have some pretence for the barbarous treatment they design them

It is therefore proposed that a course be taken to prevent their increase: Come on, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply.

Note, (1.)

The growth of Israel is the grief of Egypt, and that against which the powers and policies of hell are levelled.

(2.)

When men deal wickedly, it is common for them to imagine that they deal wisely; but the folly of sin will, at last, be manifested before all men.

I.

The obligations they lay under to Israel upon Joseph’s account were forgotten: There arose a new king, after several successions in Joseph’s time, who knew not Joseph, v. 8.

All that knew him loved him, and were kind to his relations for his sake; but when he was dead he was soon forgotten, and the remembrance of the good offices he had done was either not retained or not regarded, nor had it any influence upon their councils.

Note, the best and the most useful and acceptable services done to men are seldom remembered, so as to be recompensed to those that did them, in the notice taken either of their memory, or of their posterity, after their death, Eccl.

9:5, 15.

Therefore our great care should be to serve God, and please him, who is not unrighteous, whatever men are, to forget our work and labour of love, Heb.

6:10.

If we work for men only, our works, at furthest, will die with us; if for God, they will follow us, Rev. 14:13.

Key Points/Application:

The Lord Allows Suffering

The Lord could have intervened at any time, we know this, but He chose not to.

He allowed His people to be forced into slavery.

13The Egyptians compelled the sons of Israel to labor rigorously

13 So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel mwork as slaves

13The Egyptians compelled the sons of Israel to labor rigorously

The ways of the Lord are mysterious to us and it is necessary that we remain patient, especially in times of trial and hardship.

The Lord will have His way among men.

It is not always our job to question, but rather it is our duty to trust.

We do know that the Lord loves to see our faith put on display and this may be in part why He allows us to suffer.

So too, our suffering may lead to the accomplishment of His plan on a larger scale.

For example, some time after the sons of Israel were forced into slave labor, the Lord would demonstrate His glorious power through freeing Israel from the yoke of slavery.

The Lord Accomplishes His Plans

Even amidst trial, the Lord increased Israel’s numbers.

Consider that the king had enslaved the sons of Israel to avoid their increase in numbers...

10“Come, let us deal wisely with them, or else they will multiply

10 gCome, hlet us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply

Ironically however, although the king had inflicted Israel with slavery in an effort to halt their immense increase, Israel only grew more...

“In spite of the Egyptians’ ruthless treatment of the Israelites, God prospered them numerically.”

- The Bible Knowledge Commentary

Thus, although the king had inflicted Israel with slavery in an effort to halt their immense increase, Israel only grew more...

12But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out

Indeed, man would not thwart God’s promise made in the Abrahamic Covenant.

The Lord promised numerous descendants and a nation.

Thus, despite the trials and hardships, God furthered His plan and advanced His people.

So too, we should have faith in the Lord that He will further His plan no matter the circumstance.

Referring to Israel...

they were kept a distinct body, unmingled with the Egyptians, and by their other customs separated from them, which was the Lord’s doing, and marvellous.

hell and earth cannot diminish those whom Heaven will increase.

Serve God, Not Man

What you do will likely one day be forgotten by man.

I.

The obligations they lay under to Israel upon Joseph’s account were forgotten: There arose a new king, after several successions in Joseph’s time, who knew not Joseph, v. 8.

All that knew him loved him, and were kind to his relations for his sake; but when he was dead he was soon forgotten, and the remembrance of the good offices he had done was either not retained or not regarded, nor had it any influence upon their councils.

Note, the best and the most useful and acceptable services done to men are seldom remembered, so as to be recompensed to those that did them, in the notice taken either of their memory, or of their posterity, after their death, Eccl.

9:5, 15.

Therefore our great care should be to serve God, and please him, who is not unrighteous, whatever men are, to forget our work and labour of love, Heb.

6:10.

If we work for men only, our works, at furthest, will die with us; if for God, they will follow us, Rev. 14:13.

The Lord Increases

The Lord Increases