“And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour.”
This verse is part of the narrative in the book of Exodus, which recounts the story of the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt. To understand the significance of Exodus 1:13, let’s provide some context.
At this point in the story, Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel), had risen to a position of power in Egypt after interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams. Because of Joseph’s wisdom, Egypt had prepared for a severe famine by storing grain during the seven years of plenty. As a result, people from surrounding regions, including Joseph’s family, came to Egypt seeking food.
Initially, the Israelites settled in Egypt as honored guests and enjoyed favor under Pharaoh’s protection due to Joseph’s position. However, over time, a new Pharaoh who did not know Joseph rose to power. Fearing that the Israelites had become too numerous and could potentially join Egypt’s enemies in a time of war, the Pharaoh devised a plan to subjugate and oppress them.
Exodus 1:8-10 (KJV) provides the background leading up to verse 13:
“Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.”
The verse following Exodus 1:13, in Exodus 1:14 (KJV), gives further insight into the Egyptians’ treatment of the Israelites: “And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in mortar, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.”
The Egyptians forced the Israelites into harsh servitude, using them as laborers in construction projects such as making bricks and mortar. The intention behind this oppressive treatment was to weaken and subdue the Israelites, suppressing their growth and potential threat to Egypt’s dominance.
Exodus 1:13, therefore, highlights the severity of the Egyptians’ oppression toward the Israelites. The word “rigour” signifies the harsh and rigorous conditions under which the Israelites were made to serve. This verse serves as a starting point for understanding the Israelites’ plight and sets the stage for the events that follow, including their eventual liberation through the leadership of Moses.
Overall, Exodus 1:13 reminds us of the Israelites’ suffering and the oppressive regime they endured in Egypt, setting the stage for God’s intervention and the subsequent deliverance of His people from bondage. It is a crucial verse that lays the foundation for the Exodus narrative and the redemptive work of God in the lives of the Israelites.
