Holly Bible - KJV with Concise Commentaries by Z Selam - HTML preview
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The obligations they lay under to Israel upon Joseph's account were forgotten: There arose a new king, after several successions in Joseph's time, who knew not Joseph, Ex 1:8. All that knew him loved him, and were kind to his relations for his sake; but when he was dead he was soon forgotten, and the remembrance of the good offices he had done was either not retained or not regarded, nor had it any influence upon their councils. Note, the best and the most useful and acceptable services done to men are seldom remembered, so as to be recompensed to those that did them, in the notice taken either of their memory, or of their posterity, after their death, Ec 9:5,15. Therefore our great care should be to serve God, and please him, who is not unrighteous, whatever men are, to forget our work and labour of love, Heb 6:10. If we work for men only, our works, at furthest, will die with us; if for God, they will follow us, Re 14:13. This king of Egypt knew not Joseph; and after him arose one that had the impudence to say, I know not the Lord, Ex 5:2. Note, Those that are unmindful of their other benefactors, it is to be feared, will forget the supreme benefactor, 1Jo 4:20.
9 And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of
Israel are more and mightier than we:
10 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.
Reasons of state were suggested for their dealing hardly with Israel, Ex 1:9, 10.
1. They are represented as more and mightier than the Egyptians; certainly they were not so, but the king of Egypt, when he resolved to oppress them, would have them thought so, and looked on as a formidable body.
2. Hence it is inferred that if care were not taken to keep them under they would become dangerous to the government, and in time of war would side with their enemies and revolt from their allegiance to the crown of Egypt. Note, It has been the policy of persecutors to represent God's Israel as a dangerous people, hurtful to kings and provinces, not fit to be trusted, nay, not fit to