Exodus 1

V 1–6: RECAP The book of Exodus begins by listing the children of Israel who came to Egypt to join Joseph. There were seventy persons in all. But now, Joseph and all his brothers from that generation have died. V 7–10: RISK The Israelites multiply in number and fill the land. The new king of Egypt fears that there is a risk of Israel siding with Egypt’s enemies in any future war. V 11–16: RUTHLESSNESS To control the Israelites, taskmasters are set over them. The Israelites are given heavy burdens. They build supply cities for Pharaoh but, as they are afflicted, they grow even more. Their bondage increases and they are put to hard labour. Pharaoh tells the midwives to kill the baby sons of the Hebrews. V 17–19: RESCUE Because the midwives fear God, they disobey Pharaoh and save the male babies. They tell Pharaoh that the Hebrew women give birth too quickly for them. V 20–21: REWARD God rewards their faithfulness to Him, in saving the babies, by giving them households. Still the people multiply and grow ‘very mighty’. V 22: REACTION Pharaoh reacts by commanding all his people to throw baby Hebrew boys into the river, while preserving baby girls.