Topical Encyclopedia The oppression of the Israelites by the Egyptians is a significant event in biblical history, marking a period of severe hardship and suffering for the descendants of Jacob in the land of Egypt. This period is primarily documented in the Book of Exodus, which details the Israelites' enslavement and subsequent deliverance by God through Moses.Historical Context The Israelites initially settled in Egypt during a time of famine, as recorded in Genesis. Joseph, one of Jacob's sons, had risen to a position of power in Egypt and invited his family to live in the land of Goshen (Genesis 47:4-6). Over time, the Israelites prospered and multiplied greatly, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5). Rise of Oppression A turning point came with the rise of a new Pharaoh who did not know Joseph (Exodus 1:8). Fearing the growing population of the Israelites, the Pharaoh sought to suppress them through harsh measures. He said to his people, "Look, the people of Israel have become too numerous and too powerful for us. Come, we must deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more" (Exodus 1:9-10). The Egyptians subjected the Israelites to forced labor, building cities such as Pithom and Rameses (Exodus 1:11). Despite the oppression, the Israelites continued to multiply, which led the Egyptians to increase their cruelty. The Bible states, "They worked the Israelites ruthlessly and made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields" (Exodus 1:13-14). Infanticide Decree In a further attempt to curb the Israelite population, Pharaoh ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill all newborn Hebrew boys. However, the midwives feared God and did not comply, allowing the boys to live (Exodus 1:15-17). When questioned by Pharaoh, they explained that the Hebrew women were vigorous and gave birth before the midwives arrived (Exodus 1:19). Pharaoh then commanded all his people to throw every newborn Hebrew boy into the Nile River (Exodus 1:22). This decree set the stage for the birth and preservation of Moses, who would become the deliverer of Israel. Moses and Deliverance Moses, born to a Levite family, was hidden by his mother for three months. When she could no longer hide him, she placed him in a basket and set it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile. Pharaoh's daughter discovered the basket and, moved with compassion, decided to raise the child as her own (Exodus 2:1-10). As an adult, Moses fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew. He settled in Midian, where God appeared to him in a burning bush, commissioning him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3:1-10). God's Intervention God heard the cries of the Israelites and remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 2:24). He sent Moses and Aaron to confront Pharaoh and demand the release of His people. Despite Pharaoh's initial resistance and the subsequent plagues that God inflicted upon Egypt, the Israelites were eventually freed after the Passover and the death of the Egyptian firstborns (Exodus 12:29-31). The oppression of the Israelites by the Egyptians serves as a powerful narrative of God's faithfulness and deliverance. It underscores the themes of suffering, divine intervention, and the fulfillment of God's promises to His people. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 1:10-22Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falls out any war, they join also to our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 5:1 Library The Israelites A Path in the Sea The Training of a Statesman. How Moses Made War with the Ethiopians. The Birthnight of Freedom Moses A Stanza of Deliverance To the Saddest of the Sad Prosperity under Persecution Four Shaping Centuries Resources What is an Absalom spirit? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Egypt in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Who was Shamgar? | GotQuestions.org Oppression: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Oppression of Israelites, by Egyptians Oppression: God is a Refuge From Oppression: God's Help Promised Against Oppression: National, God Judges Oppression: National, Relieved Oppression: Rehoboam Resolves to Oppress the Israelites Oppression: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Related Terms |
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