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Patriarchs and Prophets
rapidly over the land. But they had kept themselves a distinct race,
having nothing in common with the Egyptians in customs or religion;
and their increasing numbers now excited the fears of the king and his
people, lest in case of war they should join themselves with the ene-
mies of Egypt. Yet policy forbade their banishment from the country.
Many of them were able and understanding workmen, and they added
greatly to the wealth of the nation; the king needed such laborers for
the erection of his magnificent palaces and temples. Accordingly he
ranked them with the Egyptians who had sold themselves with their
possessions to the kingdom. Soon taskmasters were set over them, and
their slavery became complete. “And the Egyptians made the children
of Israel to serve with rigor: and they made their lives bitter with hard
bondage, in mortar, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the
field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigor.”
“But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew.”
The king and his counselors had hoped to subdue the Israelites
with hard labor, and thus decrease their numbers and crush out their
independent spirit. Failing to accomplish their purpose, they proceeded
to more cruel measures. Orders were issued to the women whose
employment gave them opportunity for executing the command, to
destroy the Hebrew male children at their birth. Satan was the mover
in this matter. He knew that a deliverer was to be raised up among the
Israelites; and by leading the king to destroy their children he hoped
to defeat the divine purpose. But the women feared God, and dared
not execute the cruel mandate. The Lord approved their course, and
prospered them. The king, angry at the failure of his design, made the
command more urgent and extensive. The whole nation was called
upon to hunt out and slaughter his helpless victims. “And Pharaoh
charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into
the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.”
While this decree was in full force a son was born to Amram
and Jochebed, devout Israelites of the tribe of Levi. The babe was
“a goodly child;” and the parents, believing that the time of Israel’s
release was drawing near, and that God would raise up a deliverer for
His people, determined that their little one should not be sacrificed.
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Faith in God strengthened their hearts, “and they were not afraid of
the king’s commandment.”
Hebrews 11:23
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