Deuteronomy 26:6
But the Egyptians mistreated us and afflicted us, putting us to hard labor.
But the Egyptians mistreated us

Israel’s confession at the presentation of firstfruits remembered that the nation’s inheritance began in helplessness, not human strength. A later Pharaoh feared Israel’s multiplying population and turned the descendants of Jacob into a threatened and enslaved people (Exodus 1:8–14). Their suffering revealed both Egypt’s cruelty and God’s unwavering commitment to His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Exo 3:9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached Me,…
Exo 3:7 The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction…
Neh 9:9 You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt;…

and afflicted us,

Egyptian oppression included forced labor, harsh overseers, and Pharaoh’s murderous order against Hebrew sons (Exodus 1:15–22). God saw Israel’s misery, heard their cries, and remembered His covenant (Exodus 2:23–25). Israel’s deliverance from bondage foreshadowed the greater deliverance accomplished by Christ, who frees His people from slavery to sin and death.

Exo 1:12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they…
Exo 1:14 and made their lives bitter with hard labor…
Exo 6:5 Furthermore, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites…

putting us to hard labor.

Israel was compelled to build Egypt’s store cities, including Pithom and Rameses, under burdens designed to weaken and break them (Exodus 1:11–14). Yet the oppression could not overturn God’s purpose; Israel continued to multiply, and the Lord raised up Moses to lead them out. The God who delivered Israel from exhausting servitude gives rest through Christ to all who come to Him in faith (Matthew 11:28–30).

Exo 1:11 So the Egyptians appointed taskmasters over the Israelites…
Exo 1:13 They worked the Israelites ruthlessly
Exo 5:7-9 You shall no longer supply the people with straw…

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Israelites
The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were enslaved in Egypt and later delivered by God.

2. The Egyptians
The people of Egypt who enslaved the Israelites and subjected them to harsh treatment and forced labor.

3. Moses
The leader chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage and guide them to the Promised Land.

4. Egypt
The land where the Israelites were enslaved, representing a place of oppression and suffering.

5. The Exodus
The event of God delivering the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, a foundational moment in Israel's history.
Teaching Points
Understanding Oppression
Recognize the reality of oppression in the world and the importance of seeking justice and deliverance for those who are mistreated.

God's Faithfulness
Trust in God's faithfulness to deliver His people from bondage, both physically and spiritually.

The Importance of Remembrance
Remembering past struggles and God's deliverance helps to strengthen faith and reliance on Him in current challenges.

Empathy and Compassion
Develop empathy for those who are suffering and be moved to action, reflecting God's heart for the oppressed.

Spiritual Deliverance
Reflect on the spiritual deliverance from sin that God offers through Jesus Christ, paralleling the physical deliverance of the Israelites.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the experience of the Israelites in Egypt relate to situations of oppression in the world today?

2. In what ways can we see God's faithfulness in our own lives, similar to His deliverance of the Israelites?

3. How can remembering past struggles and God's deliverance impact our faith and actions in the present?

4. What practical steps can we take to show empathy and compassion to those who are suffering or oppressed?

5. How does the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt foreshadow the spiritual deliverance offered through Jesus Christ?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 1:11-14
This passage describes the harsh conditions and forced labor imposed on the Israelites by the Egyptians, providing a detailed background to Deuteronomy 26:6.

Exodus 3:7-10
God hears the cries of the Israelites and commissions Moses to lead them out of Egypt, showing His compassion and plan for deliverance.

Psalm 105:23-25
This psalm recounts Israel's time in Egypt and God's faithfulness, emphasizing His sovereignty over the nations.

Acts 7:17-19
Stephen's speech in the New Testament recounts the history of Israel, including their mistreatment in Egypt, highlighting God's redemptive plan through history.
Commemorations of National DeliveranceD. Davies Deuteronomy 26:1-11
The Dedication of the FirstfruitsR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 26:1-11
The Presentation of the First FruitsJ. Orr Deuteronomy 26:1-11
People
Egyptians, Moses
Places
Beth-baal-peor, Egypt
Topics
Afflict, Afflicted, Bondage, Cruel, Crushing, Dealt, Egyptians, Entreated, Evil, Evil-entreated, Harshly, Ill, Ill-treated, Imposed, Labor, Laid, Mistreated, Putting, Service, Suffer, Treated, Yoke
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 26:1-11

     4442   firstfruits

Deuteronomy 26:1-15

     8444   honouring God

Deuteronomy 26:4-11

     8670   remembering

Deuteronomy 26:5-9

     4208   land, divine responsibility

Deuteronomy 26:6-7

     5569   suffering, hardship
     8713   discouragement

Deuteronomy 26:6-8

     8610   prayer, asking God

Library
The Quiet Land
Gerhard Ter Steegen Deut. xxvi. 9 Stillness midst the ever-changing, Lord, my rest art Thou; So for me has dawned the morning, God's eternal NOW. Now for me the day unsetting, Now the song begun; Now, the deep surpassing glory, Brighter than the sun. Hail! all hail! thou peaceful country Of eternal calm; Summer land of milk and honey, Where the streams are balm. There the Lord my Shepherd leads me, Wheresoe'er He will; In the fresh green pastures feeds me, By the waters still. Well I know them,
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

Appendix iv. An Abstract of Jewish History from the Reign of Alexander the Great to the Accession of Herod
The political connection of the Grecian world, and, with it, the conflict with Hellenism, may be said to have connected with the victorious progress of Alexander the Great through the then known world (333 b.c.). [6326] It was not only that his destruction of the Persian empire put an end to the easy and peaceful allegiance which Judæa had owned to it for about two centuries, but that the establishment of such a vast Hellenic empire. as was the aim of Alexander, introduced a new element into
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Jews Make all Ready for the War; and Simon, the Son of Gioras, Falls to Plundering.
1. And thus were the disturbances of Galilee quieted, when, upon their ceasing to prosecute their civil dissensions, they betook themselves to make preparations for the war with the Romans. Now in Jerusalem the high priest Artanus, and do as many of the men of power as were not in the interest of the Romans, both repaired the walls, and made a great many warlike instruments, insomuch that in all parts of the city darts and all sorts of armor were upon the anvil. Although the multitude of the young
Flavius Josephus—The Wars of the Jews or History of the Destruction of Jerusalem

Manner of Covenanting.
Previous to an examination of the manner of engaging in the exercise of Covenanting, the consideration of God's procedure towards his people while performing the service seems to claim regard. Of the manner in which the great Supreme as God acts, as well as of Himself, our knowledge is limited. Yet though even of the effects on creatures of His doings we know little, we have reason to rejoice that, in His word He has informed us, and in His providence illustrated by that word, he has given us to
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf.
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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