In this article, we are going to expound Exodus 1, with God’s help. We will look at Pharaoh and his treatment of the children of Israel and see how this is symbolic of the devil and his oppression of people. We will look at what it means to stand up for what is right even when there is strong opposition. We will also see how to overcome snares of the devil.
Let’s read Exodus 1:5-12, and then discuss it a little.
Exodus 1:5-12
“[5] And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already. 6. And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation. 7. And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.
8. Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. 9. And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: 10. Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. 11. Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.” [End quote]
Let’s look at verse 10. It says: “[10] Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.” This pharaoh wants to deal “wisely” with the children of Israel. This wisdom is the wisdom of the world, and it stems from fear. The wisdom of God is not based on fear: it is based on love (1 John 4:8,16). It comes from God’s mind. It does not come from the human mind. That is why we Christians must trust that God has what is best in His mind, and He will do nothing wrong by us (Romans 8:28).
Pharaoh was afraid that Israel would join to his enemies and become a major threat to him. Therefore, to keep this theoretical scenario from happening, Pharaoh ordered all the Israelites to be slaves and do hard labor. He probably thought that the heavy strain on them would cause them to have short lives and not have time to raise families. But, God was not going to let His people perish. He blessed them with more children and caused them to become a strong nation within Egypt.
The Devil Can Be Represented by Pharaoh.
The devil can be represented by Pharaoh. Like Pharaoh, Satan seeks to oppress human beings with fear, sin, depression, doubt, anxiety, hatred, and addictions. Like Pharaoh, Satan also seeks to kill people by having people harm their health, commit suicide, overdose on drugs, and live promiscuous lives. Sin is bondage (2 Peter 2:19). And, the children of Israel suffered in the bondage of slavery, building temples for the gods of Egypt.
Pharaoh himself did not actually whip the Israelites and yell at them. He delegated that to his Egyptian taskmasters. Like the taskmasters, demons oppress us and attack us whenever they can. They want to make our lives miserable, or to get us into sin, or to get us into working for favor. But, God said in His Word that He does not want us to work for His favor or for salvation.
Romans 4:3-5
“[3]For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. [4] Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. [5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
Pharaoh Orders the Midwives to Kill.
