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Exodus | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5-6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20-40 |

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These small group studies of Exodus 1 contain outlines, cross-references, Bible study discussion questions, and applications.  Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.

Exodus 1 Bible Study – Pharoah Enslaves Israel

Outline

I. The Israelites multiplied in Egypt (1:1-7)
II. The Egyptian king makes the Israelites slaves (8-14)
III. The midwives disobey Pharaoh (15-22)

I. The Israelites multiplied in Egypt (1:1-7)

Discussion Questions

• Why did the Israelites go to Egypt for the first time? What are the main points of the story of Joseph?
• Was it in God’s plan for them to move out of the Promised Land to Egypt?
• What might God’s purpose have been in this?
• What does this tell us about how God works in our lives and in the world?

Verse by Verse Commentary

1. God was sovereign over Israel’s foundations as a nation and predicted it ahead of time –

God had promised to Abraham that He would make a great nation from his descendants. He told Abraham that his offspring would be sojourners in a foreign land for four hundred years. A similar promise was repeated to Jacob.

Though God promised to multiply Abraham’s descendants, He never said it was going to be easy. Their time in Egypt would be increasingly difficult, a severe trial. Yet God used this time in their lives to develop them from a small clan into a mighty nation.

Genesis 15:13 – Then the Lord said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years.

Genesis 45:7 – And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors.

Genesis 46:3-4 – Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.”

Reflect – What do these promises to Abraham and Jacob show us about God’s character? How does God’s sovereignty over the rise and fall of nations encourage you today?

God’s promises never fail. He uses trials for our good to accomplish His perfect purposes.

Application – Trust in God, His sovereign power and His goodness when you face trials. Not one of His good promises will fail.

Joshua 21:45 – Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.

2. God’s prophecies were being fulfilled while Israel was in Egypt –

Exodus 1:7 – But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.

They grew from seventy people to a fledgling nation. This wasn’t a smooth or easy path, but God often leads His people through the valley before taking them to the mountaintop.

In Exodus 12:37, we see that numbering the men of war shows over 600,000 males. They numbered those who were twenty years old and up (Numbers 1:46). This would indicate a total population of around 2 million.

Estimating a starting point of 30 married couples (of the seventy people moving into Egypt in Joseph’s lifetime) and three surviving children on average (this is very conservative for the Jews as many families would have many more than three), in only 10 generations, the total population could surpass two million.

Considering that there were roughly 340 years since they moved there and this is eleven to fourteen generations (25-30 years per generation), it falls easily within reason that they could expand to this number in this period of time.

The population growth was not even your ordinary, natural population growth. The Biblical text presents it as a divine blessing from God as He fulfilled His promise to Abraham. It was so extreme that the Egyptian Pharaoh began to be afraid of the number of Hebrews and came up with plans to stunt their rapid multiplication.

II. The Egyptian king makes the Israelites slaves (8-14)

Discussion Questions

• Why did the new king not appreciate what Joseph had done for Egypt?
• What does this tell us about how long after Joseph’s death this was?
• Are there any other clues that a long time period had elapsed?
• How would you describe the new king’s attitude toward the Israelites?
• What national policy was adopted toward the Israelites?
• What was the result of this policy?
• Why do you think persecution has historically accomplished the opposite of what governments intended?

Cross-Reference

Genesis 15:13 – Then the Lord said to him, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there.

Verse by Verse Commentary

1. A national policy of forced slavery was adopted –

Taskmasters were appointed over the Jews. Many logistical details would have been required for this to function on a nationwide scale. Housing would have needed to be controlled, likely resulting in restricted areas of cities where Jews were permitted to live. Guards or soldiers would probably have enforced curfews and monitored travel.

As in World War II, there would likely have been some form of identification to distinguish Jews from Egyptians. This could have been based on appearance, such as beards, but additional measures would have been necessary to ensure Jews could not blend in or pretend to be Egyptians. A registration system or official records for births and lineage would have been required so that only Jews were subjected to slavery.

There would also have needed to be a permanent military presence, guarding against revolt day and night. Jews would likely have been prohibited from owning weapons such as swords, bows, or spears. Regular, unannounced inspections may have occurred, with soldiers entering homes or meetings to ensure no protests were being planned and no one was hiding or avoiding labor. In short, this was a massive national undertaking. It was not the only time in history that Jews have been singled out and abused by entire governments, nor was it the last.

Solomon said that there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). The enemies of God have been persecuting His people for thousands of years and they will continue to do so. Even today, persecution against Christians is intense in many areas of the world. Nigeria, Iran, North Korea, and many Muslim countries heavily persecute Christians.

Reflect– Why do Jews and Christians receive so much persecution?

2. Rapid multiplication of the Hebrews –

Throughout the Bible, we see an almost miraculous pattern in which persecution is followed by expansion. When Jews or Christians were systematically persecuted by governments, they often grew and multiplied more rapidly than during times of peace. Can you think of other examples of this pattern?

In the book of Judges, we repeatedly see that when the Jews were enslaved, they turned to God, and God preserved a remnant. In the New Testament, we observe the same pattern with the early church.

Even today, this phenomenon can be seen in China. Foreign missionaries were expelled from the country before the Cultural Revolution, and the church was heavily persecuted. When missionaries later returned, they discovered a much larger and thriving underground Chinese church. It had multiplied many times over, and this pattern continues today.

Reflect – How does persecution grow the church today?

The fact is that God uses persecution to expand the kingdom.

Here are several ways that persecution strengthens the church.

• Persecution sifts the chaff from the wheat. Without the “weeds” of unbelievers negatively influencing the church, the wheat is healthier and more fruitful. There are fewer nominal Christians during intense persecution.
• Persecution often causes more rapid reproduction. Large churches split into smaller ones, increasing their point of contact with the world around them. Two smaller circles with the same total diameter as one larger circle will have a larger edge. Four groups of ten people will likely interact with more people outside of their circle than one group of forty.
• Persecution often fast-tracks leadership development. For example, if one church splits into four, you need four preachers instead of one. It opens up more job vacancies for the believers to volunteer and serve. Serving then brings about growth.
• Persecution creates a clear division between the kingdom of this world and God’s kingdom. During persecution, believers are less likely to compromise with the world. Why would they be friends of the world that hates them (1 John 2:15)?
• Persecution teaches believers to depend on God. When everything is smooth, we may be tempted to trust in ourselves. We think we can control our future. Persecution reminds us that we are not sovereign. God is. The only way through is hope and faith in God. It highlights our weaknesses while drawing us closer to Jesus. Those who are persecuted likely pray more.
• Persecution brings about many amazing testimonies. The world sees the power of faith in action. Examples of believers who are willingly martyred for faith in Christ often penetrate into the hardest hearts and soften the soil for the gospel.
• Persecution often unifies the church. It draws believers closer together as it highlights their common bond and perhaps their common “enemy.”
• Persecution shifts believers’ focus from earthly things to heavenly things. It causes the loss of security, career, and wealth. That in turn changes our perspective and helps us refocus our hope on God. When we do this, we grow more.

Reflect – What is the worst persecution you have faced? How did it help you to grow spiritually?

Application – We should not be surprised if we face persecution. It is to be expected from a world that is hostile to God. The best way to prepare is to have a close walk with God and a strong foundation. In the parable of the sower, Jesus mentioned that the seed sprouting from the rocky soil faded quickly in times of trial because it had no root. That means that if we want to stand strong in the face of opposition, we need a strong root.

III. The midwives disobey Pharaoh (15-22)

Discussion Questions

• What new policy was adopted in these verses?
• How could two women oversee so many births?
• Why do you think the midwives chose not to obey Pharaoh?
• What does the Bible have to say about this policy?
• Were the midwives truthful to Pharaoh? Why or why not? Is this an acceptable form of lying?
• What was Pharaoh’s next plan?
• Can you think of any modern-day policies that are similar to this?
• What is your view of the one-child policy and abortions that are either forced or chosen to avoid penalties? What do you think God would say about this issue?
• Since we cannot set national policy, what can we do to influence this issue in a way that honors God?

Cross-References

Acts 4:19 – But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!

Proverbs 1:7 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Jeremiah 1:4-5 – The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Psalm 139:13-14 – For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Isaiah 44:2 – This is what the Lord says – he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant.

Isaiah 46:3-4 – “Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Exodus 20:13 – You shall not murder.

Psalm 82:3-4 – Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

Verse by Verse Commentary

1. Infanticide –

Exodus 1:16 – “When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.”

This, like abortion, is murder. There is no acceptable case for murdering babies, whether in the womb or outside of it. God gives life and forms us in the womb from conception. Devastating consequences, and even the risk of death, are not an excuse for abortion. The midwives are a strong example of doing what is right, even when human authority pressures us to do what is wrong.

2. Protect life –

Exodus 1:17 – But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live.

The midwives are a great example of protecting life even at great personal risk. Their sacrifice was not a coincidence. In God’s sovereignty, He raised them up for a time such as this. While their bravery is commendable, their courage and position came from God. Over and over again in Scripture, God uses people to accomplish His purposes. The Lord was protecting His people and the midwives got to be part of this process.

God would not allow His promises or His people to fail. In Genesis, there are prophecies pointing to the eventual coming of a Messiah to redeem mankind. If the male Hebrew children were killed, those prophecies and God’s salvation plan would have been put at risk. The line of Jesus was protected and God’s plan of redemption was safe.

Application – As God protects the lives of His people, so we should value life. We live in a dark world and we must do everything we can, like the midwives, to protect life. This can include praying, sharing truth, and especially counseling. You may be surprised how many people around us are facing this kind of decision. Recently, a struggling woman approached me with a problem. She was pregnant and, for a variety of reasons, was considering abortion. I had the opportunity to counsel her, help her, and encourage her to keep the child. She decided to protect the life of this baby instead of taking the path of convenience.

How can you protect and advocate for vulnerable lives?

2. Obeying God rather than man –

There is a hierarchy of authority that God has designed. At every level, we should be respectful and submit to our leaders. However, if doing so violates a higher authority’s clear command, we must obey the higher authority. God is the highest.

Peter and John once faced this problem. They were commanded by their nation’s authorities to stop preaching the name of Jesus. Here is their reply.

Acts 5:29 – But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

Peter makes an amazing statement here and declares publicly that he is going to obey God no matter what. It was not that he had disdain for his nation’s leaders. God commands us to respect and submit to governing authorities.

But Peter rightly recognized that he had a higher authority. If the human authorities stood in the way of obeying God, God comes first.

A parent is a higher authority than a teacher. If a teacher gives a conflicting instruction to a parent, the child should obey his parent.

Application – Believers should not adopt a cavalier or rude attitude toward earthly authorities. We should not go around flaunting rebellion and saying, “We follow God! We don’t have to listen to you!”

But in those cases where someone tells us to disobey God, we must humbly and steadfastly refuse. We are, after all, citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20-21).

3. God blessed the midwives –

Exodus 1:20-21 – So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families.

The midwives’ fear of God was rewarded. He blessed them for their obedience. God doesn’t promise to always immediately deliver those who take a stand for Him. Scripture and history are filled with examples of believers who were martyred. Yet there are also many examples of miracles and providence on their behalf.

Blessing comes from Him. He always blesses obedience ultimately and often, but not always, blesses it immediately.

Reflect – How has God blessed your obedience to Him?

4. Is lying acceptable?

One question often asked of this passage is, “Is lying acceptable?”

This passage does not teach us that lying is acceptable. The midwives’ fear of God and actions to save lives were right. That does not mean that their methods were always correct. This narrative passage praises their refusal to murder the babies, but it does not comment on the morality of lying.

Elsewhere, lying is clearly prohibited.

Colossians 3:9 – Do not lie to one another.

The end does not justify the means.

Reflect – What are some common ways that even believers practice deception?

Comment – What did you think of this Bible study on Exodus 1? We would love to hear your thoughts. Share below in the comment section.