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Commentary on Exodus 1 verses 1–7
In these verses we have, 1. A recital of the names of the twelve patriarchs, as they are called, Act 7:8. Their names are often repeated in scripture, that they may not sound uncouth to us, as other hard names, but that, by their occurring so frequently, they may become familiar to us; and to show how precious God's spiritual Israel are to him, and how much he delights in them. The account which was kept of the number of Jacob's family, when they went down into Egypt; they were in all seventy souls (Exo 1:5). according to the computation we had, Gen 46:27. This was just the number of the nations by which the earth was peopled, according to the account given, Gen. 10. For when the Most High separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel, as Moses observes, Deu 32:8. Notice is here taken of this that their increase in Egypt might appear the more wonderful. Note, It is good for those whose latter end greatly increases often to remember how small their beginning was, Job 8:7. 3. The death of Joseph, Exo 1:6. All that generation by degrees wore off. Perhaps all Jacob's sons died much about the same time; for there was not more than seven years' difference in age between the eldest and the youngest of them, except Benjamin; and, when death comes into a family, sometimes it makes a full end in a little time. When Joseph, the stay of the family, died, the rest went off apace. Note, We must look upon ourselves and our brethren, and all we converse with, as dying and hastening out of the world. This generation passeth away, as that did which went before. 4. The strange increase of Israel in Egypt, Exo 1:7. Here are four words used to express it: They were fruitful, and increased abundantly, like fishes or insects, so that they multiplied; and, being generally healthful and strong, they waxed exceedingly mighty, so that they began almost to outnumber the natives, for the land was in all places filled with them, at least Goshen, their own allotment. Observe, (1.) Though, no doubt, they increased considerably before, yet, it should seem, it was not till after the death of Joseph that it began to be taken notice of as extraordinary. Thus, when they lost the benefit of his protection, God made their numbers their defence, and they became better able than they had been to shift for themselves. If God continue our friends and relations to us while we most need them, and remove them when they can be better spared, let us own that he is wise, and not complain that he is hard upon us. After the death of Christ, our Joseph, his gospel Israel began most remarkably to increase: and his death had an influence upon it; it was like the sowing of a corn of wheat, which, if it die, bringeth forth much fruit, Joh 12:24. (2.) This wonderful increase was the fulfillment of the promise long before made unto the fathers. From the call of Abraham, when God first told him he would make of him a great nation, to the deliverance of his seed out of Egypt, it was 430 years, during the first 215 of which they were increased but to seventy, but, in the latter half, those seventy multiplied to 600,000 fighting men. Note, [1.] Sometimes God's providences may seem for a great while to thwart his promises, and to go counter to them, that his people's faith may be tried, and his own power the more magnified. [2.] Though the performance of God's promises is sometimes slow, yet it is always sure; at the end it shall speak, and not lie, Hab 2:3.
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SUMMARY
Exodus 1:3 meticulously continues the genealogical record of Jacob's sons who migrated into Egypt, specifically naming Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin. This verse is an integral part of the foundational enumeration that establishes the lineage of the burgeoning nation of Israel, serving as a crucial bridge from the patriarchal narratives of Genesis to the national story of the Exodus, highlighting God's faithfulness in preserving His covenant people.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Exodus 1:3, along with the surrounding verses, prominently employs Enumeration and Genealogy. The meticulous listing of names serves as a precise Enumeration, systematically counting and identifying the individuals who formed the initial core of Israel. This is a form of Genealogy, tracing the lineage from Jacob to his direct sons, thereby establishing the historical and familial continuity between the patriarchal narratives of Genesis and the national story of Exodus. The very act of naming each son carries Emphasis, underscoring the divine attention to detail and the significance of each individual in God's overarching plan for His chosen people. This deliberate naming reinforces the idea that the people of Israel are not a nameless multitude but a distinct, divinely recognized family unit, each member contributing to the corporate identity of the nascent nation.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 1:3, by continuing the detailed enumeration of Jacob's sons, powerfully reinforces the theme of God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. This seemingly simple list of names is a profound theological statement, demonstrating that the burgeoning population of Israel, soon to be oppressed, was not a random collection of individuals but the direct fulfillment of God's pledge to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to multiply their descendants into a great nation. It highlights God's meticulous care in preserving the specific lineage through which His redemptive plan would unfold, even as His people entered a foreign land and faced severe trials. The continuity of this family line ensures the integrity of the covenant and sets the stage for the dramatic display of divine power and deliverance that follows.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 1:3, though seemingly just a list of names, reveals profound truths about God's meticulous attention to detail and His unwavering commitment to His long-term plans. It reminds us that significant divine movements often originate from humble, seemingly insignificant beginnings, built upon foundational individuals or families. God's faithfulness extends to the smallest details, ensuring His purposes are fulfilled through His chosen instruments, even when the future seems uncertain or the path unclear. This verse encourages us to trust that God is actively at work even in the quiet, foundational stages of our lives or communities, meticulously laying the groundwork for future growth and impact. It assures us that every individual, no matter how seemingly small their role, plays a vital part in God's larger story, and that His promises are steadfast across generations.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does Exodus begin with a genealogy rather than immediately with the oppression?
Answer: The genealogy in Exodus 1:1-5 serves as a crucial bridge from Genesis, establishing the historical and covenantal continuity of God's people. It reminds the reader that the Israelites are not a random group, but the direct descendants of Jacob, to whom God made specific promises. This foundation underscores that the subsequent oppression and deliverance are part of God's ongoing plan for His chosen nation, rather than an isolated event. It emphasizes that God's actions in Exodus are rooted in His prior covenant commitments, highlighting His faithfulness to His word and His people.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous preservation of the lineage of Jacob's sons, culminating in the formation of the twelve tribes of Israel, is foundational to the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, which ultimately points to Christ. This unbroken lineage ensured the specific tribal identity (Judah) from which the Messiah would descend, fulfilling ancient prophecies regarding the King from David's line, as seen in the genealogies of Jesus in Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38. The establishment of Israel as a distinct nation, initiated through these very individuals, foreshadows the spiritual nation of God's people, the Church, gathered from every tribe and tongue (Revelation 7:9), with Christ as its ultimate head and the fulfillment of all covenant promises made to the patriarchs (Galatians 3:16). The careful enumeration in Exodus 1:3 thus subtly points to the divine intentionality behind the lineage that would ultimately bring forth the Savior of the world.