God's People Multiply in Egypt
(Exodus 1:1-22)
A long, long time ago, a new king named **Pharaoh** came to power in Egypt. This Pharaoh did not remember the good things that Joseph had done for his country, the same Joseph who was Jacob's son and saved Egypt from famine. Now, Joseph's family, the Israelites, were living in Egypt, and they were having lots of children! They had so many families and so many kids that they were growing into a huge group of people, filling the whole land.
Pharaoh started to worry. He thought, "What if these Israelites become so many that they join our enemies and fight against us? We must stop them from growing so powerful!" So, Pharaoh came up with a terrible plan. He put cruel **taskmasters** (overseers) over the Israelites to make them slaves. These Egyptians forced God's people to build big storage cities, Pithom and Raamses, working them day and night. The work was brutal and the Egyptians were harsh masters, but guess what? The more the Egyptians mistreated the Israelites, the more the Israelites grew and spread out! God was mysteriously causing His people to multiply even under the worst conditions. God's plan is always bigger than man's plan, and He often uses difficult times to show His great power.
Pharaoh was furious that his plan wasn't working. So, he tried an even crueler idea. He commanded the two chief Hebrew midwives, **Shiphrah** and **Puah**, to kill any baby boy born to an Israelite woman. Midwives are women who help with childbirth. This was a terrible, wicked thing for Pharaoh to ask!
But Shiphrah and Puah had something more important than Pharaoh's command: they had a deep **respect for God**. They chose to obey God rather than the king. They did not kill the baby boys. When Pharaoh asked them, "Why have you let the boys live?" they cleverly answered, "Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are so strong that they give birth before we even get there!" Because these women **feared God**, God was kind to them. He made their own families strong, and the Israelites continued to multiply and become even more numerous.
Finally, Pharaoh gave a command to all his people: "Every baby boy born to the Hebrews must be thrown into the Nile River, but let every girl live!" Pharaoh wanted to destroy the next generation of God's people completely. This was an evil moment of great danger for the Israelites. The wicked king had made his cruel plan public, and now the entire nation of God's people was in fear.
A Curious Question
Even though Pharaoh was the most powerful man in the world at the time, God's people kept multiplying! What does this story tell us about who is truly in charge of the world, and why is it important to remember that God's plan can't be stopped by any person or king?
Jesus Connection
Even though Jesus isn't named in this story, this part of the Bible shows us something very important: how a powerful, wicked king tried to **destroy God's people** right when they were starting out, especially by trying to kill the baby boys. This is a picture of the darkness in the world that constantly tries to stop God's plan.
Later in the Bible, when Jesus was born, a wicked king named **Herod** tried to do the exact same thing! He ordered the killing of all the baby boys in Bethlehem to try and stop God's Son, Jesus, from growing up. But just as God protected the Israelites in Egypt, God protected **Jesus** by warning Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15).
Jesus is the **true Son of Israel** who saves us from an even greater slavery than Egypt's, the slavery of sin. He faced the worst of the enemy's plans, even death on the cross, but because He is God, He rose again! No king, no government, and no evil plan can ever stop God's purpose or harm those who belong to Jesus.
Discussion Questions
- Why did the new Pharaoh become scared of the Israelites, and what does this show about how people can feel threatened by those who are different or growing strong?
- The Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, were put in a very difficult spot. Why did they choose to disobey Pharaoh, and what does their choice tell us about what it means to **fear God** more than people?
- The Bible says the more the Egyptians oppressed the Israelites, the more God made them multiply. Have you ever seen something good come out of a difficult or unfair situation?
- Can you think of a time when someone in a story or in real life was brave enough to stand up for what was right, even when it was scary, just like the midwives?
- Pharaoh wanted to kill all the boys to stop the Israelite nation. What do you think would have happened if he had succeeded? Why do you think God kept protecting them?
“So What” What Can I do?
- Be Brave in Right: When your friends or a grown-up asks you to do something you know is wrong, remember Shiphrah and Puah. You can choose to obey God instead of people. What's one thing you can say or do this week if someone tries to get you to make a wrong choice?
- Trust God’s Plan: The Israelites faced hard times, but God was still working. When things get difficult for you (like a hard test, a fight with a friend, or a disappointment), you can remember that God is still in charge and He can use even the hard things for His good plan.
- Speak the Truth: The midwives told Pharaoh a clever truth that saved the baby boys. You can commit to telling the truth in all your words this week, even if it feels difficult, because God is a God of truth.
Memorize God's Word
Verse: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” (Isaiah 41:10a)
Hand Motions:
“Do not fear,” (Shake head ‘no’ and put hands out, palms forward, as if pushing fear away.)
“for I am with you;” (Point thumb to chest, then point out toward the class.)
“do not be dismayed,” (Frown, then shake head ‘no’ again.)
“for I am your God.” (Point up confidently with one finger.)
Praying with Kids
Dear Father, thank You that You are the true King over all the world. Thank You that no person and no bad plan can ever stop Your wonderful promises. Help us to be like Shiphrah and Puah, who chose to fear and obey You more than any powerful person. Give us **brave hearts** this week to always do what is right, knowing that You are always with us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Craft or Activity: Brave Midwife Crowns
A simple craft to celebrate the midwives' brave choice to obey God rather than Pharaoh.
Materials Checklist
Instructions
- Prepare the Crown Band: The teacher should pre-cut long strips of construction paper, about 2 inches wide, for the band that goes around the head. You may need to tape two strips together to fit the child's head.
- Write the Big Idea: Have the children use markers to write a key word from the lesson on their main strip, such as "**BRAVE**," "**OBEY GOD**," or "**FEAR GOD**."
- Cut out Shapes: Let the children cut out simple crown-like shapes (points, swirls, or rounded edges) from a contrasting color of paper to decorate the top edge of their main band.
- Decorate: Encourage them to decorate the band with markers, crayons, or optional stickers/jewels. As they decorate, remind them that the midwives chose God over the king's power.
- Assemble the Crown: Measure the band around the child's head and tape or staple the ends together to form a crown shape. (Teacher should handle the stapler.)
- Wear It: Encourage the children to wear their "Brave for God" crown to remind them that God is the true King, and He gives us the courage to obey Him.
Effective Teaching Techniques
- Role-Playing: To emphasize the bravery, have the children briefly role-play the moment the midwives met with Pharaoh. One child is Pharaoh (very grumpy face), and two children are the midwives (brave, calm faces). They don't need to speak, just act out the meeting to feel the tension.
- Visual Aid: Have a picture or simple drawing of a river ready (the Nile). You can use a blue scarf or piece of fabric. When Pharaoh gives his final, cruel command, have the children put their hands over their mouths in shock to show how awful the command was, but then quickly point up to show God's power is greater.
- Age Variation:
- Younger Kids (Pre-K/K): Focus almost entirely on the idea that the midwives were **braver than the bad king** because they loved God. Keep the story simple and emphasize the **explosion of babies** (use hands to show growth) that the king couldn't stop.
- Older Kids (Grades 3-5): Discuss the **moral dilemma** of the midwives. Talk about choosing between human law and God’s law. Ask, "When is it okay to disobey a rule?" (Answer: Only when that rule tells you to disobey God.)