Exodus 1

In many ways Exodus describes the birth of the nation of Israel, and the events described in this book defined the nation.

Exodus is the second book of Moses. Abraham was around in 2100 BC, Joseph and his family moved to Egypt around 1875 BC and the events in Exodus took place shortly after 1450 BC.

Joseph had enjoyed great favour in Egypt, and after him the Israelites multiplied greatly in number. However, when a new Pharaoh came on the scene things changed. He saw the Israelites as a threat, so sought to deal with the "problem" as he saw it.

The first step was to subject them to slave labour, however the Israelites continued to multiply. So the oppression intensified.  Next the king ordered that all new born male babies were to be killed. However, man is never has the control that he thinks he has, and the midwives refused to comply. So the cruelty was increased even further, and the baby boys were to be thrown into the Nile.

We see here God working through the events of history, with the Israelites, the midwives, and the Egyptian rulers all having a part.