Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

These are the names of the children of Israel who came into Egypt, each man and his household with Jacob. They were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah; Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin; Dan, Asher, Gad, and Naphtali. In total, there were seventy souls that came out of the loins of Jacob, since Joseph was already in Egypt.

As time passed, Joseph died, along with all his brothers and their contemporaries. But the children of Israel continued to thrive, becoming incredibly fruitful and multiplying rapidly. The land became crowded with them because they were so numerous.

A new king arose over Egypt, one who did not know Joseph or the circumstances that had led to the Israelites' presence in the land. Fearing their growing strength, this king told his people, "The Israelites are more numerous than we are, and if a war breaks out, they will join our enemies and overwhelm us." To prevent this from happening, he set taskmasters over them, forcing them to work under harsh conditions.

The Israelites were made to serve with great brutality, building storage cities like Pithom and Raamses for Pharaoh. The more they struggled, the faster they multiplied and grew, causing Egypt immense distress because of their presence.

The Egyptians treated the Israelites with ruthless severity, making them labor in mortar and brick, as well as in all kinds of fieldwork. Their lives were filled with hardship and bitterness, making it unbearable for them.

Pharaoh spoke directly to two Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, ordering them to kill every male child born to the Hebrew women. When they assisted at births, if a boy was born, he was to be killed; but if a girl was born, she should live.

However, the midwives feared God and refused to follow Pharaoh's command. Instead, they saved the newborn boys alive, defying the king's order. They knew that by disobeying him, they were also honoring God.

Pharaoh summoned the midwives to account for their actions. He asked them why they had ignored his instructions and let the male children live. The women replied that Hebrew women gave birth so quickly that they couldn't reach them in time; it was impossible to kill every boy born.

God showed mercy towards these courageous midwives, allowing them to continue their work while also blessing them with houses of their own. Meanwhile, Pharaoh remained unconvinced and issued a new decree: from then on, all newborn sons were to be cast into the Nile River, but daughters were to be spared alive.