Exile Before Exodus

Takeaway: Everything was fine, the people were content… then everything changed. While Israel was in Egypt, a new Pharaoh rose to power and began oppressing and enslaving them, because he was fearful that they would multiply and grow. This passage introduces the entire book of Exodus as a battle between Pharaoh, the seed of the serpent, and Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews. Despite the aggressive oppression of the serpent king, Christ’s purposes for his church will thrive. Exodus 1 shows us how we can appropriately respond in faith when we experience the serpent’s oppression. How do you normally respond when you face hardship and suffering?