Observation: Exodus begins with a quick outline of Jacob's family; there were 11 sons who came to Egypt with him and in total they brought 70 family members (and Joseph was already there). They move to and live in Egypt, with new family being born while elders grow old and die, and soon ... Pharoh is talking about them as if they are an independent people-group. He doesn't view them as a minority population of Egyptians, but rather as their own race - their own nation in fact - with an independence so great that he fears they could act as an independent country and join against Egypt of a different third country attacks them.
There is a significant implication in this mindset of Pharoh. It says Pharoh did not know about Joseph, implying he did not know that one of the sons of Jacob was once the right hand of Pharoh himself, saving the nation during a crisis while firmly establishing Pharoh's domestic control. However, he does know about how, based on decedents from one patriarch who is known by the name Israel, this huge family has segregated themselves from the Egyptians. That segregation is not in location, for the entire point of the first verses is that they remain in Egypt. Therefore, it must be based on behavior.
The implication is that Israel behaves in a manner that is SO distinct from the rest of Egypt, that they are identifiable not just as a different family or perhaps a minority race, but as a completely different country. It is very, very likely that this different behavior is 100 percent religious ... that it is totally founded in the worship of the Lord alone, and not the multiple Egyptian gods. This behavior is so pronounced and different from Egyptian behavior that it is believed they could easily rebel against their own homeland.
And it is out of that fear that Pharoh justifies the oppression of the Israelites, up to and including murder of babies. He marginalizes, enslaves, and tortures the Israelites, and finally pronounces that even their children should be killed in order to repress them.
Application: I have thought on this before, but it continues to warrant careful consideration. In our time, there are active discussions about the treatment of 'groups', and how society treats people of different races, genders, or even behaviors. However, at the same time, society has no problem taking up fights that would oppress or oppose the actions and beliefs of Christians. Our faith in the Lord, our belief in Jesus as the Messiah, and our resulting desire to serve the Lord by observing his will and his teaching, is viewed negatively by the rest of society. This occurs to the point where they see no issue with restricting our actions, and legislating against our belief system.
And yes, they use the word "Christian" as a label identifying us as a negative influence on the world, and do so despite the fact we are - in every way other than our commitment to the truth about Jesus - just like them.
I know I am oppressed by the society I live in. It isn't as terrible as having my son killed at birth, and not even as terrible as being beaten if I don't work hard enough. However, it remains a fact that, historically, faith in the Lord produces scorn and oppression from the world. I will take heart in this.
Prayer: Lord, I declare again today, you are my Lord and my God, and Jesus Christ is my savior. I desire to follow your word this day. Please forgive my sins and wrong I do and say and think, and help me to obey your teaching. And forgive those who would look down upon me or act with a mean spirit toward me due to my faith, for they are misguided by the world. I hope they will soon discover your love. Amen.
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