Message Notes

8 April 2014

Text: Exodus 1

(I) A NEW PHARAOH

1. He did not know Joseph

a) He did not have regard for Joseph

b) He did not acknowledge Egypt’s indebtedness to Joseph

2. The new political policy

a) With reference to the growing number of the children of Israel (Exodus 1:9)

b) Perceived threat from the children of Israel (Exodus 1:10)

c) Plans to contain the threat

i) Stopping the growth of the children of Israel

ii) Stopping any alliance with potential enemies

iii) Stopping them from fleeing Egypt

d) New measures

i) Taskmasters to afflict the people (Exodus 1:11)

ii) Building of cities (Pithom and Raamses) (Exodus 1:11)

3. Failure of new policies

a) The children of Israel continued to multiply (Exodus 1:12)

b) More rigorous enforcement of policies (Exodus 1:13)

(II) LIFE IN EGYPT

1. Bitter life (Exodus 1:14)

2. Surviving rigor and cruelty of the Egyptians (Exodus 1:14)

(III) MORE CRUEL MEASURES PLANNED

1. Orders given to midwives (Exodus 1:15-16)

a) Killing of sons

b) Sparing of daughters

2. God-fearing midwives (Exodus 1:17)

a) Feared God more than the Pharaoh

b) Did not comply with the new policies

3. Interview with the Pharaoh

a) For not complying

b) Perfect excuse: They came too late to help with the delivery

(IV) GOD’S BLESSINGS

1. On the mid-wives (Exodus 1:20-21)

2. On the children of Israel (Exodus 1:20-21)

(V) THE WORST POLICY YET

1. Infanticide (Exodus 1:22)

2. Imperial order given to his law-enforcement units (Exodus 1:22)

a) Sons were to be thrown into the rivers and killed

b) Daughters were to be saved