The People of God Multiply, Exodus 1
December 29, 2022

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SERMON NOTES

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TEXT: Exodus 1

These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each with his household: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. All the descendants of Jacob were seventy persons; Joseph was already in Egypt. Then Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation. But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them. Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel. So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves. Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, “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.” But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. So the king of Egypt called the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and let the male children live?” The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” 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. Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live.”

KEY POINTS

I. From one generation to another the people of God multiply. (v. 1-7)

II. When faced with opposition & oppression the people of God multiply. (v. 8-14)

III. Through their devotion the people of God multiply. (v. 15-22)

APPLICATION
1. Let us grow in our devotion…OBEY THE LORD!


2. Let us endure external opposition & oppression while maintaining our calling…BE SALT & LIGHT!


3. Let us pass along our sincere dependence upon God to the next generation…TRAIN OUR CHILDREN AND OUR CHILDREN’S CHILDREN!

“Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.”
Psalm 145:3-4

GROUP STUDY

MEMORIZE

“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:32

READ

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REVIEW

What are the final words of the book of Genesis?

How was God’s promise of Abraham to become a great nation developed after Joseph died?

What kind of opposition and oppression did the Hebrews face under the rule of the new king who “did not know Joseph?”

How did the midwives prove their devotion to God?

REFLECT

Why do you think the Bible tells us that the new king of Egypt “did not know Joseph”?

Historically, what are some ways that the church has faced opposition and oppression?

How does the devotion of the midwives encourage you to obey the Lord?

Summarize the sermon/study in one word or sentence.

RESPOND

Which application point resonated the most with you? Why?