Blessed Oppression

So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. 12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites 13 and worked them ruthlessly

Exodus 1:11-13

It’s a fascinating irony of history that has played out time and time again. The more you try to squash God’s people - the more they grow. It happened in Rome in the first few centuries after Jesus' ascension. It happened in Europe during the Reformation. And it’s happening today in China.

Pharaoh was the first to be given the opportunity to learn this lesson. But why does this happen? Is it supernatural or sociological?

The truth is - it’s both. It’s not explicitly declared as supernatural here in Exodus 1 but I think it’s fair to say the sense is that their fruitfulness is due to God’s blessing promised to Abraham.

At the same time, oppressed people usually have more children. And particularly God’s people who tend to value children more than many other religions (including secularism). Additionally, oppression tends to strengthen a community identity rather than degrade it. So there’s that.

Either way. Whether through natural or supernatural means, God cares for and blesses His people. As we saw in Genesis, what humans intend for evil, God will turn to His good.

And this is something we need to keep holding onto. If Australian authorities turn more aggressive in its attitude towards Christians or whether it doesn’t. God is with His people.

For Today:

• Have you noticed this before - the relationship between oppression and growth?
• Do you fear being persecuted for your faith? Why? Why not?
• Pray for people in countries where Christians are persecuted.

Pray:

• Praise the Father that He is the God who cares for His people.
• Give thanks for Christ who endured persecution for our sake.
• Ask God for His Holy Spirit to strengthen you and others to stand firm in your faith.