The
Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigor,
Exodus 1:13 Modern English Version (MEV)
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And the Egyptians— The more sensibly God's
blessing was discerned towards the Israelites, the more furiously was the
rage of their persecutors kindled against them. Moses represents them
suffering, as it were, in a furnace of fire, Deu_4:20.
REFLECTIONS.—We must not promise ourselves long
prosperity in this world. Where we have found the warmest love we may soon
experience the bitterest hatred; so transitory is the fashion of sublunary
comforts. We have here,
1. The great unkindness shewn to the Israelites in a
succeeding reign; not by Pharaoh's immediate successor, but by one who, at a
considerable distance of time, had forgotten the obligations which the country
lay under to Joseph. Note; We shall often find men ungrateful, and
unmindful of the kind offices we have done them; but what is done for God will
be had in everlasting remembrance. The poor Israelites are now become obnoxious
to the state; their multitude is a plea for their oppression, as if they were a
dangerous people; they pretend at least to fear, lest they revolt to their
enemies, or, according to the tradition which was well known, should secede
into Canaan. Note; The people of God have been often misrepresented as
enemies to the state, in order to countenance oppression and persecution
against them. With a crafty policy they therefore harass them with taxes,
burdens, buildings, to break their spirits, diminish their numbers, and perhaps
with a view to enforce them to incorporate with the Egyptians, in order to
avoid the afflictions of their brethren. Note; (1.) The most deep-laid
schemes of the wicked, however wise in their own eyes, will appear folly at the
last. (2.) Where men attempt to defeat God's counsels, their very efforts
against them shall sooner produce their accomplishment.
2. We have the great increase of the Israelites under
their oppression. A persecuted church is almost always a thriving one.
A Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
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There
is nothing like your own success to bring out the worst in others. When others
think that you are somehow being “blessed” when they are not, the common
response is to attempt to steal that blessing from you and appropriate it for
themselves.
Exodus 1:13 Modern English Version (MEV)
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