Topical Bible: Israel: were Enslaved and Oppressed by the Egyptians

◄ Israel: were Enslaved and Oppressed by the Egyptians ►

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The enslavement and oppression of the Israelites in Egypt is a pivotal event in biblical history, marking a period of suffering that ultimately led to their deliverance and the establishment of the covenantal relationship with God. This period is primarily chronicled in the Book of Exodus, which details the Israelites' bondage, the rise of Moses, and the subsequent liberation.

Historical Context

The narrative begins with the Israelites residing in Egypt, where they initially found refuge during a famine under the leadership of Joseph, a son of Jacob (Israel) who had risen to prominence in the Egyptian government (Genesis 47:11-12). Over time, the Israelites multiplied and became a significant population within Egypt.

The Rise of Oppression

A new Pharaoh, who did not know Joseph, ascended to power and perceived the growing number of Israelites as a threat to national security. Exodus 1:8-10 states, "Then a new king, who did not know Joseph, came to power in Egypt. 'Look,' he said to his people, 'the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. Come, we must deal shrewdly with them, or they will become even more numerous, and if war breaks out, they will join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.'"

In response, the Egyptians subjected the Israelites to harsh labor, forcing them to build store cities, Pithom and Rameses, for Pharaoh (Exodus 1:11). The Egyptians "worked them ruthlessly" (Exodus 1:13), making their lives bitter with hard service in mortar and brick and all kinds of work in the fields.

Infanticide and Continued Oppression

Pharaoh's fear of the Israelites' growth led to a decree of infanticide, commanding that every Hebrew male child be thrown into the Nile River (Exodus 1:22). This brutal policy aimed to curb the population growth of the Israelites and further subjugate them.

The Birth of Moses

During this time of oppression, Moses was born to a Levite family. His mother, Jochebed, hid him for three months and then placed him in a basket on the Nile, where he was discovered and adopted by Pharaoh's daughter (Exodus 2:1-10). Moses' unique upbringing in the Egyptian court and his Hebrew heritage positioned him as a key figure in God's plan for Israel's deliverance.

God Hears Israel's Cry

The Israelites groaned under their slavery and cried out for help. Exodus 2:23-25 records, "During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. God heard their groaning, and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them."

The Call of Moses

God appeared to Moses in a burning bush on Mount Horeb, commissioning him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3:1-10). God revealed His name, "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14), and promised to deliver the Israelites from their oppression and bring them to a land flowing with milk and honey.

The Plagues and Exodus

Moses, with his brother Aaron, confronted Pharaoh, demanding the release of the Israelites. Pharaoh's refusal led to a series of ten plagues that demonstrated God's power over the Egyptian gods and ultimately compelled Pharaoh to release the Israelites (Exodus 7-12). The final plague, the death of the firstborn, led to the institution of the Passover, a lasting ordinance for Israel.

Significance

The enslavement and subsequent liberation of the Israelites from Egypt is a foundational narrative in the Bible, illustrating themes of suffering, divine intervention, and redemption. It underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant and His power to deliver His people, setting the stage for the giving of the Law at Sinai and the journey to the Promised Land.

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Exodus 1:1
Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob.
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Exodus 2:1
And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi.
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Exodus 5:1
And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus said the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.
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Acts 7:18-21
Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph.
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Library

Chapter xv
... whole experience of being sojourner, being enslaved, and being ... men of Abram's type
and age were wont usually ... us: the divided beasts represent Israel; the birds ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xv.htm

Egypt
... slain; their weaker brethren, the Israelites in Goshen, were enslaved. ... Such were
the Egyptians and such was Egypt where the childhood of Israel was passed ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter v egypt.htm

Acts vii. 6, 7
... apostrophe) the nation increased, while enslaved, while evil ... And yet already four
hundred years were passed, nay ... to visit his brethren the children of Israel. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xvi acts vii 6.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... and tyranny, which has so long oppressed them; there ... their place: and the house of
Israel shall possess ... take them captives, whose captives they were; and they ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... represent them at this juncture as oppressed either by ... itself the most bellicose
of the tribes of Israel. ... the house of Joseph, a number of whom were enslaved. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... of the greatest among the prophets of Israel"Jeremiah, son ... only the southern regions
of Syria were in all ... the world, older than even the Egyptians themselves ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... The Egyptians at first were full of gratitude for the ... claimed the throne; his
pretensions were not supported ... The inhabitants of the Delta, oppressed by the tax ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm