Friday: Further Thought – Oppression: The Background and the Birth of Moses
Daily Lesson for Friday 4th of July 2025
Further Thought:
Read Ellen G. White, “Moses,” Pages 241–251, in Patriarchs and Prophets, which will give you significant insights into the studied portion of the biblical text for this week.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
The biblical text states that “the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive” (Exodus 1:17, NKJV). Ellen G. White aptly comments on the faithfulness of the midwives and the Messianic hope: “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.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 242.
The good news in all this is that, despite Satan’s plans, God overruled, and He used faithful people to thwart the enemy. We do live in the territory of our enemy, whom Jesus called “the prince” or “ruler of this world” (Ephesians 2:2, NKJV; John 14:30). Satan usurped this position from Adam, but Jesus Christ defeated him in His life and through His death on the cross (Matthew 4:1-11, John 19:30, Hebrews 2:14). Although Satan is still alive and active, as revealed in his attempt to kill those children, his own execution is certain (John 12:31; John 16:11; Revelation 20:9-10,14). The good news is that life’s difficulties can be overcome by God’s grace (Philippians 4:13). That grace is our only hope.
Discussion Questions
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In every phase of life, we find ourselves in deep need of God’s intervention for provision, healing, guidance, relationships, or even comfort during overwhelming times. Yet, one of the hardest questions we face is why God doesn’t always intervene when we are suffering. As Romans 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Even in suffering, He is working for our good.
The truth is, God’s help is not always about instant rescue missions; sometimes it’s about deeper transformation that comes from different challenges. As much as deliverance from God may be working through the pain to refine our character, strengthen our faith, or draw us closer to Him in ways comfort never could. Suffering is not a sign of His absence but often the very place where His presence becomes most real. Life without His help would indeed be miserable—but His help doesn’t always look like avoidance of pain. Sometimes, it looks like grace to endure, wisdom to navigate, or peace that surpasses understanding. We must learn to understand His timing; we can trust that His silence, even when we need him to speak, His purposes, though often hidden, are always redemptive.
The question, "Why did God allow ..." sometimes tackles issues from the wrong angle. There is a popular expression today, "S**t happens!" and the really good bit for us who are Bible believing Christians, is that when it happens, God uses the circumstances for our own best good and for his glory.
We know why Jacob went to Egypt - there was a famine, he was hungry, and he had family in the right place to help him. We can only surmise why they stayed there for 400 years, but when the time was ripe, God used Moses to gather the nation together and educate them into his people. The plan of salvation takes place amid a battle between Good and Evil, and while the victory is assured, there is a lot of play in between.
Is there a lesson for us, Seventh-day Adventists? Why are we studying Exodus at this time?
Maurice, Why are we studying Exodus at this time? I believe that we are for many reasons. One such reason based on this week's lesson relates to how nations should treat the poor and other vulnerable people in their midst.
Just as Pharaoh’s fear led to the unjust treatment of the Hebrews, we see similar patterns today when fear, insecurity, or economic strain prompt societies to scapegoat vulnerable groups—especially the poor and immigrants. But Scripture is clear: God's people are called to respond differently. He reminded Israel that their history as oppressed strangers should shape their compassion and justice toward others (Exodus 22:21, Deuteronomy 10:19). Jesus reinforced this when He said, “The poor you will always have with you” (Matthew 26:11), not as a dismissal, but as a call to continual care. True godliness is reflected not in how a nation protects its power, but in how it treats the least among them.
Thank you Maurice for these thoughts. The question in the lesson as to why God “allowed” Israel to become slaves for over 400 years triggered some thoughts for me. The main thought I had was that God can only work with what we given him. They chose to stay instead of going back home after the famine had ended. It was comfortable there, they prospered in that fertile land and grew as a nation. This was repeated again when the Jews stayed in Babylon after being given the chance to leave, thus we have the story of Esther. So as you asked, why are we still here?
At another time, Israel was captive for 70 years. They were told it would be 70 years before they would go home. When they left Babylon, only a small number of the Jews were ready to go home. I'm always surprised when there were no priests that were ready. The leaders had to go back to these priests, who were to safeguard the scriptures, and persuade them to go back to their promised Land. The question is do we resemble these two generations pf God's people?
Karen, I don't thnk the Bible supports the idea that the Israelites chose to stay in Egypt. In Genesis 15, God actually tells Abraham of the future slavery that will occur. In Genesis 50:24-25, Joseph tells his family to be sure to bring his bones back to Canaan and he says that God will come to their aid and bring them out. If they were ignoring God's will by not leaving, why he say such a thing? And how could Joseph and his family leave when they were part of Pharoah's household? That would leave the 12 tribes splintered.
In the 17 years that Jacob lived in Egypt up to his death, a lot of changes would take place in Canaan. The other nations would have taken over the land. It's not as if Jacob had an estate with a fence around it. They were nomadic people. Would a group of 70 be able to easily take back their land? Unlikely and I'm sure they knew that. Jacob and Joseph knew what God had told Abraham. They knew they were to stay put in Egypt until God delivered them.
In a way, the same is true for us. I'm not saying we haven't sometimes got comfortable here, but it's not our job to determine when Jesus comes again. And when we think it is, it's all to easy to get arrogant and self-sufficent. Moses tried to determine the timing of Israel's release. He was wrong. We need to be faithful and trust God's timing.
Hi Christina, you said, "I don't think the Bible supports the idea that the Israelites chose to stay in Egypt." But the conclusion of your second paragraph states, "They knew they were to stay put in Egypt until God delivered them."
Didn't you just make a Biblical argument demonstrating that the Israelites, in fact, chose to stay in Egypt?
Yes, I believe they chose to stay until God revealed it was time to leave. I guess I do sound contradictory, but what I meant is that they didn't stay in Egypt for selfish reasons, resisting God telling them to go back. I don't feel it's the same situation as the Jews going back to Jerusalem in the days of Cyrus.
Maurice – is there a lesson . . . ? Building on your insight that “God used Moses to gather the nation together and educate them into His people,” could we not also see a parallel in how God through Jesus responded to the spiritual condition of His fellow Israelites?
Just as Moses led the people out of physical and spiritual bondage, Jesus came to lead all who have ears to hear out of 'spiritual Egypt' — the inner captivity still present in the hearts and minds of His own people.
In doing so, He extended that same invitation to the entire world: to recognize the bondage we live in without perceiving its dangers. Thank God for our deliverance from 'Egypt' — both then and now.
The last time I checked on God's answer when He was asked the questions why and how long, the former had shame while the latter had hope. Though almost not related to the Israelite's stay in Egypt, we need to review our stand with God.(1 Corinthians 3:5)
Suffering may come as a result of our sins or as a way of shaping us to see our weakness and depend on God.
If you ask God why do I suffer, you might be ashamed when He says it is because of your sins and wickedness. Like Habakkuk, let's ask Him how long must we suffer, how can we set our eyes on your mountain and what should be our attitude when waiting for your salvation.
The account of Pharaoh’s edict to kill all Hebrew male babies (Exodus 1:15–22) is a striking reminder that earthly events often reflect deeper spiritual realities. Pharaoh’s attempt to destroy God’s chosen people was not just a political or national act of control—it was a direct assault on God’s plan of salvation. Satan, working behind the scenes, sought to eliminate the very line through which the promised Messiah would come. In this light, we see the great controversy—this ongoing battle between Christ and Satan—being played out through human history and personal circumstances.
As Christians, recognizing this backdrop helps us view life through a spiritual lens. The struggles we face—whether they involve injustice, temptation, hardship, or discouragement—are not isolated events. They are often part of a larger spiritual battle for our hearts, minds, and loyalty.
In response, we are called to live with:
1. Spiritual Awareness
2. Courage and Faithfulness
3. Hope and Perseverance
4. Active Participation in God’s Mission
In essence, life for the Christian is lived on a battlefield. But we fight, not with fear, but with faith—knowing that the war has already been won at the cross, and our role now is to be faithful soldiers of Christ until He returns.
I note with concern the midwife fear of the lord
That one should not kill stands
“Why did God allow the Hebrews to live in Egypt and be oppressed?”
God, in a vision, spoke to Jacob saying: “I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation THERE . I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will close your eyes.”
God in His sovereign authority (Prov 21:1): “He turned their heart (Egyptians) to hate His people, to deal craftily with His servants.” (Ps 105:25); even as God had turned the hearts of kings and rulers to favor the fathers -Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and Joseph…