Exodus Introduction
Exodus continues the story of Genesis, telling how God fulfilled his promises to Abraham (Ge 12:2; 15:13-14). To do so God calls Moses (1-3), redeems his people from slavery through plagues on the Egyptians and the Passover (4-13), leads his people to cross the Red Sea and journey in the wilderness to Mt. Sinai (14-18), where he establishes with them the covenant of the Law (19-24) and gives them plans to build the Tabernacle, so they may be a God-centered community to worship (25-40).
Exodus 19:4-6 reveals God's purpose in delivering these people and calling them to himself: to be his people, his treasured possession – a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. How are they to live as his people? By obeying and keeping his Covenant of Law, such as the well-known Ten Commandments. He shows them how to live in community with God at the center, through the Tabernacle, priesthood, and sacrificial system, as well as festivals and Sabbaths. Taken alongside the book of Hebrews, all these point us to Jesus.
In this way Exodus echoes the salvation we have in Jesus, our Passover lamb (1Co 5:7). Although our context is different, God's grace of redemption, his love and hope, continue to inspire us and call us to live out his desire for justice, mercy, and worship in our day. We learn how to live as his chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, declaring the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light (1Pe 2:9).

1. Pharaoh feared the Israelites increasing (1-14). Seventy immigrant descendants of Jacob became exceedingly numerous, increasing for hundreds of years. They lived separately, but at peace with Egypt, until a new king appeared. He no longer saw Joseph as a national hero, but rather began to fear how fast the Hebrews multiplied. He used his political power to enact systemic policies of abuse against God's people, enslaving them as laborers. The lives of God's people became bitter and harsh under ruthless masters. Yet the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied.

2. Midwives feared God (15-22).

How was it possible for them to keep increasing? One reason was two midwives who defied the Pharaoh's order to kill baby boys. They did this because they feared God more than people (Pr 29:25), and God blessed them with families of their own. This story shows God was with his people, faithfully fulfilling his promise to Abraham (Ge 22:17). But fear of people drove Pharaoh to genocide: throw all the baby boys into the Nile.


Application: Father, you were with your people and caused them to increase even in hardship and oppression. Help me to fear you as the midwives, and be blessed and a blessing to your people.
One Word: God blesses his people to increase