Exodus 1:1–7 (ESV)
“These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each with his household: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. All the descendants of Jacob were seventy persons; Joseph was already in Egypt. Then Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation. But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.”
This passage doesn’t seem dramatic at first glance. There is no burning bush. No plagues and no parting of the red sea. It is rally just a list of names. But in God’s wisdom this is how Exodus begins. The book opens quietly with a list of names. In fact the words “These are the names” is the title of Exodus in the Hebrew bible. So why the weird start?
Because it reminds us that this is a story that continues from the story that came before. This is really the sequel to Genesis because God’s plan didn’t stop with Joseph’s death at the end of Genesis. And his promises didn’t go away, just because one generation passed away.
Here we see something that feels very ordinary but is actually extraordinary: God is keeping His promises in the background even in the middle of a strange land, where they weren’t meant to be. The people are multiplying they are “fruitful,” “increased greatly,” “grew exceedingly strong.” Notice, these are the words that remind us of God’s original blessing to Adam and Eve. “Be fruitful and multiply.” It’s also an reminder of His covenant promise to Abraham, that his descendants would become a great nation.
Even while Israel is living in a foreign land, surrounded by idols God’s promise is quietly unfolding. It is worth us pausing and reflecting on this, because I think sometimes we only think God is working when something miraculous happens, like you know, burning bushes and parting seas. But Exodus begins by showing that God’s faithfulness is often quiet, and steady and can go unnoticed.
So perhaps you are in a season of life right now where God seems silent, or you can’t see much spiritual movement in your life. Well if that is you these opening lines from Exodus can remind you that God is active behind the scenes. It ultimately takes 400 years for God to set Israel free from Egypt. We can trust him in the background even when we can’t see his work in the foreground.
Notice too how personal the text is. It lists names: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah and so on. God knows each one. And that’s how He knows His people today, individually, by name. The same God who knew every family of Israel knows you.
Now the verse closes with something striking: “the land was filled with them.” This sets up the tension for what will happen next. God’s people are thriving, but Pharaoh will soon see this growth as a threat. In other words, God’s blessing will soon attract the world’s opposition. That’s often the pattern in Scripture and in our lives too. Faithfulness brings fruit, but fruitfulness also brings conflict.
The story of Exodus begins here, in the quiet multiplication of a people who seem forgotten, but aren’t. Setting up a conflict in which God will be glorified as a result of what he has done in the background.
Prayer
Father, thank You that You are faithful even when we cannot see it. Thank You for the quiet ways You keep Your promises, in ordinary days and long seasons of waiting. Forgive us for doubting Your presence when we don’t see Your power. Help us to trust that You are still working, still growing, still redeeming even in the background. Fill us with the hope that Your promises never fail. In Jesus’ name, Amen.