Exodus 1:7-22 And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty… I. A LARGE POPULATION IS OF GREAT ADVANTAGE TO A NATION. 1. It gives an impulse to civilization. 2. It augments the force of the national prowess. 3. It invests the nation with importance in the estimation of surrounding kingdoms. II. A LARGE POPULATION SOMETIMES EXCITES THE SUSPICION AND ENVY OF NEIGHBOURING KINGS. 1. Pharaoh was jealous of the numerical growth of Israel. 2. He was suspicious of what might befall his country in future exigencies. III. THIS SUSPICION FREQUENTLY LEADS KINGS TO PRACTISE THE MOST ABJECT SLAVERY. 1. It was cunning. 2. It was unjust. 3. It was painful. 4. It was apparently productive of gain.But what was gained in public buildings was lost in sensitiveness of conscience, force of manhood, and worth of character. Slavery involves a loss of all that is noble in human nature, and it leads to murder (ver. 22). IV. SLAVERY IS AN INCOMPETENT METHOD OF CONQUEST. 1. Because it does not gain the sympathy of the people it conquers. 2. Because it arouses the indignation of those who are subject to its cruelties. 3. It does not save a ruler from the calamity he seeks to avert. (J. S. Exell, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them. |
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