Reading for July 24th

 Read Exodus 1.1-22. In 1.1-22: A new king arises in Egypt and forces the Israelites to become slaves. Exodus continues the story of the family of Jacob in Egypt which concluded the book of Genesis. Israel's turn in fortunes from a people of honor to a people of slavery fulfills God's words to Abraham in Gen 15.12-16: Israel will go to a land not theirs and become slaves for four hundred years. In verse 7: The growing number and strength of the Israelites fulfills the promises of many descendants made to the ancestors in Genesis (Gen 13.16; 32.12). In verse 8: The new king of Egypt is not named, but some identify him as Rameses II (13th century BCE) in light of 1.11 and the building of a city called Rameses. The new ruler did not have the same big regard for Joseph and his family as had previous ruler (Gen 47.1-12). In verse 9: The claim that the Israelites are more numerous and more powerful than the Egyptians may well be an exaggeration that shows the paranoia of the Egyptian ruler. In verse 15: It is not clear whether these two midwives are Hebrew women. The names of thee heroic women, Shiphrah and Puah, suggest they may be Hebrew in origin. On the other hand, the information in vv. 17 and 21 that they feared God can refer to non-Israelites who acknowledge or obey Israel's God (Gen 20.1-11). In verse 16; Killing all the baby boys would cut off all the male lines of descent and thus eventually kill off the whole people. In verse 19: The midwives deceptive claim that Hebrew woman give birth more quickly is a way to cover up their refusal to obey. The ruler's command to kill the Israelite babies. In verse 22: The Egyptian ruler or Pharaoh expands the command to kill Israelite boys to all his people, not just the midwives. All Egyptians are now guilty and will be subject to God's judgment. Comments or Questions..