Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. — Exodus 1:8
Source Coverage: Exodus 1:8-10
God’s blessings are not dependent on where we are, but on who He is. The same Lord who blessed Abraham in Canaan blessed his descendants in Egypt. Geography does not limit God. Circumstances do not hinder Him. He can prosper His people in a palace or in a pasture, in freedom or in affliction.
Yet Egypt began to see Joseph’s family not as a blessing, but as a burden. What started as a welcomed clan had grown into a notable and powerful people within the land. They were no longer just guests-they were a significant presence. Scripture tells us that Pharaoh feared their numbers. He reasoned that if war broke out-and history tells us that Egypt frequently faced threats from the west and south-Israel might align themselves with Egypt’s enemies. From a political standpoint, Pharaoh’s concern was understandable.
But fear often leads to harsh decisions. The king said, “Let us deal wisely with them.” What sounded like strategy soon became suppression. “Dealing wisely” turned into affliction. Policy became persecution. What began as caution ended in cruelty. And so we see how quickly fear, when not governed by truth, can give birth to oppression.
Source Coverage: Exodus 1:8-10
The land of Egypt became to Israel a house of bondage. The place where we have been happy, may soon become the place of our affliction; and that may prove the greatest cross to us, of which we said, This same shall comfort us. Cease from man, and say not of any place on this side heaven, This is my rest. All that knew Joseph, loved him, and were kind to his brethren for his sake; but the best and most useful services a man does to others, are soon forgotten after his death. Our great
care should be, to serve God, and to please him who is not unrighteous, whatever men are, to forget our work and labour of love. The offence of Israel is, that he prospers. There is no sight more hateful to a wicked man than the prosperity of the righteous. The Egyptians feared lest the children of Israel should join their enemies, and get them up out of the land. Wickedness is ever cowardly and unjust; it makes a man fear, where no fear is, and flee, when no one pursues him. And human wisdom
often is foolishness, and very sinful. God's people had task-masters set over them, not only to burden them, but to afflict them with their burdens. They not only made them serve for Pharaoh's profit, but so that their lives became bitter. The Israelites wonderfully increased. Christianity spread most when it was persecuted: the blood of the martyrs was the seed of the church. They that take counsel against the Lord and his Israel, do but imagine a vain thing, and create greater vexation to
themselves.
God’s blessings are not dependent on where we are, but on who He is. The same Lord who blessed Abraham in Canaan blessed his descendants in Egypt. Geography does not limit God. Circumstances do not hinder Him. He can prosper His people in a palace or in a pasture, in freedom or in affliction.
Yet Egypt began to see Joseph’s family not as a blessing, but as a burden. What started as a welcomed clan had grown into a notable and powerful people within the land. They were no longer just guests-they were a significant presence. Scripture tells us that Pharaoh feared their numbers. He reasoned that if war broke out-and history tells us that Egypt frequently faced threats from the west and south-Israel might align themselves with Egypt’s enemies. From a political standpoint, Pharaoh’s concern was understandable.
But fear often leads to harsh decisions. The king said, “Let us deal wisely with them.” What sounded like strategy soon became suppression. “Dealing wisely” turned into affliction. Policy became persecution. What began as caution ended in cruelty. And so we see how quickly fear, when not governed by truth, can give birth to oppression.
The land of Egypt became to Israel a house of bondage. The place where we have been happy, may soon become the place of our affliction; and that may prove the greatest cross to us, of which we said, This same shall comfort us. Cease from man, and say not of any place on this side heaven, This is my rest. All that knew Joseph, loved him, and were kind to his brethren for his sake; but the best and most useful services a man does to others, are soon forgotten after his death. Our great
care should be, to serve God, and to please him who is not unrighteous, whatever men are, to forget our work and labour of love. The offence of Israel is, that he prospers. There is no sight more hateful to a wicked man than the prosperity of the righteous. The Egyptians feared lest the children of Israel should join their enemies, and get them up out of the land. Wickedness is ever cowardly and unjust; it makes a man fear, where no fear is, and flee, when no one pursues him. And human wisdom
often is foolishness, and very sinful. God's people had task-masters set over them, not only to burden them, but to afflict them with their burdens. They not only made them serve for Pharaoh's profit, but so that their lives became bitter. The Israelites wonderfully increased. Christianity spread most when it was persecuted: the blood of the martyrs was the seed of the church. They that take counsel against the Lord and his Israel, do but imagine a vain thing, and create greater vexation to
themselves.