Historically, Exodus continues Genesis; however, Exodus portrays the corporate aspect of the spiritual experience of God’s people, whereas Genesis portrays primarily the individual aspect. These two aspects represent the complete spiritual experience of God’s people.
vv. 1-4; cf. Gen. 35:23-26; 46:8-26
Egypt typifies the world full of fleshly enjoyment, which brings God’s people into slavery and bondage under Satan, the ruler of the world (John 12:31; Eph. 2:2), typified by Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.
Lit., souls.
The book of Genesis concludes with a dead man in a coffin in Egypt (Gen. 50:26). This indicates that God’s chosen people were in a situation of death in Egypt. Although they were in death, they were very living and active (cf. v. 7). While they were making a living in Egypt and were enjoying the pleasures of Egypt, they were usurped and enslaved by Pharaoh to serve him with harshness (vv. 10-14; 2:23; 5:6-18). Thus they were detained from fulfilling the purpose for which God had created and chosen them. The situation of the children of Israel in Egypt under Pharaoh’s tyranny is a full picture of the life of fallen mankind in the world under the usurping and enslaving hand of Satan and his evil power of darkness. See Eph. 2:1-3 and notes.
In Hebrew the two names mean, respectively, mouth of integrity and thunder of the standard. These names indicate that the cities were built for pride and boastful display.
See note Exo. :11*1.
Cf. Gen. 11:3 and note Gen. 11:31.
Lit., stones.
According to the Bible the male life represents the life that is for God’s purpose (cf. Gen. 1:26; 1 Cor. 11:7a; Eph. 2:15; Rev. 12:5) and the female life, especially among the fallen people, represents the life that is for man’s pleasure (cf. Gen. 2:18; 1 Cor. 11:9). Pharaoh’s intention to kill the sons and spare the daughters typifies Satan’s strategy to destroy the life that is for God’s purpose and preserve the life that is for man’s pleasure.
At the beginning of the Old Testament, Satan visited a female, Eve, and used her to deaden the male life (Gen. 3:1-6), but at the beginning of the New Testament, God visited the virgin Mary and used her to bring in His salvation (Luke 1:26-38; 2:30). In the same principle, Pharaoh attempted to use the midwives to kill the male life, but God used them to keep alive the life that is for His purpose.
Some ancient versions add, to the Hebrews.
I.e., the Nile. So also throughout the book.
