What is the meaning of Exodus 1:8? Then – The single word “Then” anchors the verse in real history, linking the closing scenes of Genesis to the opening crisis of Exodus (Genesis 50:24-26). – God’s people had enjoyed favor for generations, but time passed (Exodus 12:40). – Acts 7:17-18 points out that God’s promise to Abraham was moving toward fulfillment “as the time drew near,” reminding us that divine promises unfold on a precise timetable even when circumstances shift. A new king – Scripture states plainly that an actual monarch, not a mere legend or symbol, arose (Daniel 2:21; Proverbs 21:1). – A change in dynasty explains the sudden policy reversal toward Israel. Political upheaval never catches God off guard; He raises leaders and removes them to advance His redemptive plan. Who did not know Joseph – “Did not know” means more than lack of information; it signals deliberate disregard. Psalm 105:23-25 notes that God “turned their hearts to hate His people.” – Joseph’s lifesaving service (Genesis 41:41-44) was wiped from the royal memory banks, similar to Judges 2:10 where a generation arose that “did not know the LORD.” – Acts 7:18 echoes the phrasing, showing that Stephen read this ignorance as intentional rejection, not innocent forgetfulness. Came to power in Egypt – The throne of Egypt was the most powerful on earth, yet Exodus 1:9-10 reveals fear-driven policy: oppression, enslavement, infanticide. – God had foretold this four centuries earlier (Genesis 15:13). The very setting of Israel’s suffering would become the stage for God’s salvation (Exodus 3:7-8). – What seemed like a political catastrophe actually positioned Israel for future deliverance, illustrating Romans 8:28 in historical form. summary Exodus 1:8 marks a sharp turn in Israel’s story. A chronological marker (“Then”), a regime change (“a new king”), intentional forgetfulness (“who did not know Joseph”), and the political location (“came to power in Egypt”) combine to show how quickly favor can flip to hostility—yet every detail unfolds under God’s sovereign hand, setting the scene for the exodus and revealing that no earthly throne can thwart His covenant purposes. |
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