“Then Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation. But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them. Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 And he said to his people, ‘Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us.’ So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves. Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, ‘Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live.’ ” (v6-9,13-14,22)
I don’t think Joseph had this in mind when he invited his family into Egypt – what was intended as a way to provide for his people, was twisted into slavery and genocide. “But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel.” (v12)
So what does Pharaoh do? Sets the precedent to kill all male newborns (unfortunately, this isn’t the last time this order is given against the Hebrews…). First he tries to enlist the Hebrew midwives to do the dirty work, but being rooted in God they let the babies live. Finally, Pharaoh resorts to having the Egyptians commit their own terrible deeds.
Someone may ask where God is in all of this, and why He is allowing His people to be mistreated and killed after He brought them into Egypt? That’s a good question.
One possible reason is this enslavement is a fulfillment of prophesy that God spoke to Abram (Abraham) a few generations earlier: “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” (Gen 15:13-14,16)
Interesting – this promise from God seems to indicate that He’s waiting for the Amorites (inhabitants of Canaan in Abram’s time) to reach the fullness of their sin, before the Hebrews can return to Canaan, almost as if God doesn’t want the Hebrews wiping out the Canaanites (which eventually does happen) until the Canaanites are completely lost to sin. Is it possible God allowed His own people to suffer four hundred years of slavery because He wanted the Canaanites to have a chance to repent of their sin? I suppose it’s possible, so I’ll have to ask Him that question someday since only He can answer it.
Father God, Your told us that Your thoughts are higher than our thoughts, Your ways are higher than our ways, so we may not always understand the specific reasons why you allow certain things to transpire the way they do. That being said, we put our faith in You, knowing that Your plans are to prosper us, not to harm us, to give us a hope and a future. We also know that You are not slow to keep Your promises as we understand slowness. You are patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish, but wanting all people to come to repentance. May we rejoice in our hope in You, be patient in tribulation, and be constant in prayer. (Isa 55:8-9, Jer 29:11, 2 Pet 3:9, Rom 12:12 par)
~ Conqueror in Training