Exodus 1:7, commentary and pictures

Only a few small Hebrew families went down into Egypt at the start. Their increase into a great multitude during their years there took place under Joseph's care and the favor of the ruling king. After Joseph and his brethren and all that generation died, they were fruitful and increased abundantly and multiplied rapidly in number and strength.

They waxed exceeding mighty until the land of Egypt was filled with them, and they became more and mightier than the Egyptians. By their great numbers and strength and their able and understanding work they became of great service to the kingdom. Their growth later alarmed the new king who knew not Joseph. He was unwilling to lose their labor, yet feared that when war came they would join Egypt's enemies and fight against Egypt and get up out of the land.

He therefore ranked them with the slaves who had sold their flocks and lands and themselves, and set taskmasters over them to afflict them with burdens. He built treasure cities by them and made their lives bitter with hard bondage in mortar and in brick and in all manner of service in the field with rigor. He compelled even their women to work in the fields and required a daily amount, to subdue them with hard labor and crush their independent spirit. But the more they were afflicted the more they multiplied and grew, and their numbers did not decrease even after many years in servitude to the Egyptians.

This angered the king and hardened his heart to destroy the male children at birth, moved by Satan to defeat God's purpose of raising up a deliverer among the Hebrews. Yet the women feared God and did not kill the children but saved the male children alive, and the Lord prospered them. This history of Israel in Egypt belongs to the experience that is to be considered by God's people living in the last days.