God multiplied the Israelites in Egypt before the Exodus as part of His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that their descendants would become a great nation. Here’s a closer look at how God’s blessing caused the Israelites to grow significantly, even under difficult circumstances:
1. God’s Promise of Fruitfulness
- God had made a covenant with Abraham, promising that his descendants would be “as numerous as the stars in the sky” (Genesis 15:5). This blessing of fruitfulness extended through Abraham’s lineage, including Isaac and Jacob.
- In Genesis 46:3, when Jacob (Israel) went to Egypt with his family to escape the famine, God told him, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.” This promise set the stage for their growth in Egypt.
2. Rapid Population Growth
- In Exodus 1:7, the Bible records that the Israelites were “exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly, increased in numbers and became so numerous that the land was filled with them.”
- Even under difficult conditions, God blessed the Israelites with children and large families, enabling their population to expand. This growth was God’s way of preparing them to become a large, self-sustaining nation by the time they would leave Egypt.
3. Growth Despite Persecution
- The Egyptian Pharaoh, fearing the Israelites’ numbers and potential power, enslaved them and subjected them to harsh labor to suppress their growth (Exodus 1:9-11). Despite Pharaoh’s efforts, God continued to multiply the Israelites.
- Exodus 1:12 says, “But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites.” This demonstrates God’s power to bless and protect His people, even under oppression.
4. God’s Protection Over Newborns
- When the Egyptians saw that hard labor was not stopping the Israelites’ growth, Pharaoh ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill all newborn Hebrew boys (Exodus 1:15-16). However, the midwives feared God and disobeyed this order, allowing the boys to live.
- God blessed the midwives for their faithfulness, and as a result, the Israelite population continued to grow (Exodus 1:20-21). This act shows God’s hand in protecting and preserving His people, ensuring that they would continue to multiply despite Pharaoh’s decree.
5. Multiplying the People into a Nation
- By the time of the Exodus, the Israelites had grown from a family of 70 people (Genesis 46:27) to an estimated 600,000 men (Exodus 12:37), not counting women and children. This could mean the total population was around 2-3 million people.
- God’s miraculous multiplication of the Israelites set the stage for the fulfillment of His promise: they would become a powerful, independent nation, prepared to enter the Promised Land after their deliverance.
Summary
God multiplied the Israelites in Egypt through His divine blessing, ensuring their rapid population growth even under harsh conditions. This increase fulfilled His promises to the patriarchs and demonstrated His sovereignty, setting the foundation for the nation of Israel to be formed and ultimately delivered from Egypt. The story of their growth reflects God’s faithfulness and power to accomplish His promises, no matter the circumstances.