1 August Exodus 1
- Werner Jansen van rensburg
- Aug 1
- 3 min read
God Is working behind the scenes
Exodus 1:7 (AMP) but the Israelites were prolific and increased greatly; they multiplied and became extremely strong, so that the land was filled with them.
The first chapter of Exodus is a time when God is silent. Nevertheless, God is present. We shall learn to see His hand in those “silent times.” There are times when God is there, but when He is silent. God is at work, but He is not, at that moment in time, telling us what He is doing, nor is He publicly displaying His purposes or power. He is at work behind the scenes and in ways that, at the time, are not immediately apparent.
Just as Israel had greatly multiplied during Joseph's time and after his death, they continued to multiply under the cruel hand of the Egyptians. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread, so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites and worked them ruthlessly. Exodus 1:12-13 (AMP) “But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more they multiplied and expanded, so that the Egyptians dreaded and were exasperated by the Israelites. 13 And the Egyptians made the Israelites serve rigorously ”.
Furthermore, we see that the Pharaoh had a plan to ensure that Israel's growth was limited. When a son is born, the midwives must kill them, but these midwives fear God more than Pharaoh and do not execute his plan. Even during this time was at work, and the people of Israel multiplied.
Exodus 1:16-20 (AMP) “When you act as midwives 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.” 17 But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded, but they let the boy babies live. 18 So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this thing, and allowed the boy babies to live?” 19 The midwives answered Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth quickly and their babies are born before the midwife can get to them.” 20 So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied and became very strong”.
From our perspective, things in Egypt have gone “from bad to worse” so far as the Israelites are concerned. Things could hardly get worse. One might wonder if God was aware of what was taking place. But God always had a plan. He was working behind the scenes.
Israel was saved from mixing with the Canaanites through marriage by being sent to Egypt. The Egyptians' prejudice prevented them from mixing with the Israelites as the Canaanites did. The Israelites brought the message of God’s salvation to the Egyptians. When the Israelites left Egypt, some Egyptians went with them.
Israel grew from a small group of 70 men into an immense multitude. Imagine trying to take over Canaan with just 70 men! God was preparing Israel physically for the hardships of the wilderness and for fighting the Canaanites. Additionally, God ensured Israel had the necessary resources by arranging a plan that provided them with wealth when they left Egypt.
In the New Testament Jesus says in John 13:7 (AMP) “Jesus replied to him, “You do not realise now what I am doing, but you will understand it later.” Also confirmed by Job 34:20b (MSG) “we know God is working behind the scenes” Furthermore, about God’s concern with us, Paul writes in Romans 8:28 (AMP) “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose”.
God is always working in a place “beyond what we can see.” He never stops working on your behalf, no matter what you are facing or what your eyes see.
I conclude with Zechariah 9:12 (AMP) “Return to the stronghold , O prisoners who have the hope; Even today I am declaring that I will restore double to you ”.