Exodus 1–2 continues the story of a faithful God’s deliverance of His chosen people through His appointed prophet.

The People

The first chapter of Exodus begins with a list of people who came down from Egypt. This may sound like a strange way to begin a book of the Bible, but it actually has an important purpose: to tie Exodus back to Genesis. The author points to the God who made a covenant promise to the Israelites and tells us that this book will continue the story of His faithfulness to His people. Under God’s blessing, His people have multiplied greatly.

The Problem

The problem arises when Pharoah’s evil intentions cause him to oppose the people of God. He concocts a plan that will kill all of the young Israelite boys.

From this passage, two things are evident. First, our God is a God of life. He valued the lives of these babies and rewarded the midwives for doing what they could to save the boys’ lives.

Second, this passage is an important reminder that although we are called to submit to the government even when it’s inconvenient, there are rare occasions when we are called to disobey. When the government commands us to do something God forbids or forbids us to do something God commands, the government is to be disobeyed, and we are to honor God.

The Prophet

In chapter 2, Moses’s story begins. After he is born, his mother saves his life by sending him away down the river in a basket. He grows up in the household of Pharoah. Moses knows God has appointed him as a deliverer, but he tries to seize an opportunity in his own strength and wisdom, and it does not go well. He ends up in the wilderness, where his second opportunity to be a deliverer will present itself.

God’s Heart for His People

In Exodus 2:23–25, we get an amazing glimpse of God’s care and love for His people. The Israelites need rescue from slavery, and they cry out to God because of their oppression. The passage says that God hears their groaning and remembers His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God had not forgotten them in the first place — He always knew the salvation He intended to do, and now He was going to respond.

God has not forgotten us either. In our pain and crying out to God, He hears, and He cares!

The Greater Prophet

God saved Israel through His prophet, Moses, but Moses was only pointing to the greater One who was coming. Hebrews 2:14–15 says that Christ destroyed the one who had the power of death. Moses did this when he defeated Pharoah, and Jesus did it in a much greater way when He defeated Satan through His death and resurrection! Let our worship be motivated by seeing the glories of Christ’s salvation!