The book of Exodus, the second book of the Pentateuch, is a foundational text in the Judeo-Christian tradition. It narrates the story of the Israelites' enslavement in Egypt, their liberation through God's intervention, and the beginning of their journey towards the Promised Land. The first two chapters of Exodus set the stage for this grand narrative by introducing key characters and events that set in motion the deliverance of the Israelites.
Exodus Chapter 1: The Oppression of the Israelites
The first chapter of Exodus begins by recounting the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob) who came to Egypt with their families, numbering seventy in total (Exodus 1:1-5). This serves as a direct continuation from the closing chapters of Genesis, where Joseph, one of Jacob's sons, had risen to a position of power in Egypt, saving his family from famine.
However, as time passes, a new Pharaoh ascends to the throne who does not remember Joseph and his contributions to Egypt (Exodus 1:8). This new king perceives the growing population of Israelites as a threat to national security. He fears that in the event of war, the Israelites might join Egypt's enemies and fight against them. To mitigate this perceived threat, Pharaoh devises a plan to oppress the Israelites through forced labor, hoping to curb their population growth and weaken their spirit (Exodus 1:9-11).
The Israelites are subjected to harsh conditions, building the store cities of Pithom and Rameses. Despite the oppression, the Israelite population continues to grow, which only exacerbates Pharaoh's fears (Exodus 1:12). In response, he intensifies their labor, making their lives bitter with hard service in mortar and brick (Exodus 1:13-14).
Pharaoh's next strategy is even more sinister. He instructs the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, to kill all newborn Hebrew boys during childbirth, while allowing the girls to live (Exodus 1:15-16). The midwives, however, fear God and defy Pharaoh's orders, letting the boys live. When confronted by Pharaoh, they explain that Hebrew women are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive (Exodus 1:17-19). God blesses the midwives for their faithfulness, and the Israelite population continues to increase (Exodus 1:20-21).
Frustrated by the midwives' disobedience, Pharaoh issues a decree to all his people, commanding them to throw every newborn Hebrew boy into the Nile River, while allowing the girls to live (Exodus 1:22). This decree sets the stage for the birth and early life of Moses, the central figure in the book of Exodus.
Exodus Chapter 2: The Birth and Early Life of Moses
Chapter 2 introduces the birth of Moses, a pivotal figure in the history of Israel. A man from the house of Levi marries a Levite woman, and they have a son. Seeing that he is a fine child, his mother hides him for three months to protect him from Pharaoh's decree (Exodus 2:1-2). When she can no longer hide him, she places him in a papyrus basket coated with tar and pitch and sets it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile (Exodus 2:3). This act of faith echoes the story of Noah's ark, where a vessel coated with pitch saves life from the waters.
Moses' sister, Miriam, watches from a distance to see what will happen to him (Exodus 2:4). Pharaoh's daughter comes down to bathe in the Nile and discovers the basket among the reeds. She opens it and sees the baby, and despite recognizing that he is one of the Hebrew children, she feels compassion for him (Exodus 2:5-6).
Miriam approaches Pharaoh's daughter and offers to find a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby. Pharaoh's daughter agrees, and Miriam brings Moses' own mother to nurse him (Exodus 2:7-8). Pharaoh's daughter eventually adopts the child as her own and names him Moses, saying, "I drew him out of the water" (Exodus 2:10). This name, Moses, is significant as it foreshadows his future role in drawing the Israelites out of Egypt.
As Moses grows up, he becomes aware of the suffering of his people. One day, he witnesses an Egyptian beating a Hebrew. In a moment of anger and justice, Moses kills the Egyptian and hides his body in the sand (Exodus 2:11-12). The next day, he sees two Hebrews fighting and tries to intervene, only to be rebuffed with the question, "Who made you a ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?" (Exodus 2:13-14). Realizing that his act of murder is known, Moses flees to the land of Midian to escape Pharaoh's wrath (Exodus 2:15).
In Midian, Moses sits by a well, where he encounters the seven daughters of Reuel (also known as Jethro), the priest of Midian. The daughters come to draw water for their father's flock but are driven away by shepherds. Moses stands up and helps them, drawing water for their flock (Exodus 2:16-17). Impressed by his actions, Reuel invites Moses to stay with them. Moses eventually marries Zipporah, one of Reuel's daughters, and they have a son named Gershom, meaning "I have been a sojourner in a foreign land" (Exodus 2:21-22).
The chapter concludes by shifting back to the plight of the Israelites in Egypt. During this time, the king of Egypt dies, but the Israelites continue to groan under their bondage. Their cries for rescue ascend to God, and He remembers His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 2:23-24). God looks upon the Israelites and takes notice of their suffering, setting the stage for the divine intervention that will follow in the subsequent chapters (Exodus 2:25).
Reflections and Theological Insights
The first two chapters of Exodus are rich with themes of oppression, deliverance, and divine providence. The narrative highlights the faith and courage of individuals like the Hebrew midwives, Moses' mother, and Miriam, who act in defiance of oppressive decrees to preserve life. Their actions demonstrate a profound trust in God's sovereignty and a commitment to justice.
Moses' early life is marked by a series of providential events that prepare him for his future role as the deliverer of Israel. From being saved from death as an infant to being raised in Pharaoh's household, Moses' experiences uniquely equip him to lead his people out of bondage. His flight to Midian and subsequent life as a shepherd also serve as a period of preparation and transformation, shaping his character and deepening his reliance on God.
The chapter's conclusion, with God hearing the cries of the Israelites and remembering His covenant, underscores the faithfulness of God. Despite the apparent silence and suffering, God is actively involved in the lives of His people, working behind the scenes to bring about His purposes. This assurance of God's faithfulness and attentiveness to human suffering is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, offering hope and encouragement to believers.
In summary, Exodus chapters 1 and 2 lay the groundwork for the epic story of liberation that follows. They introduce us to key characters and set the stage for the dramatic unfolding of God's redemptive plan. Through these narratives, we are reminded of the importance of faith, courage, and trust in God's providential care, even in the face of adversity.
