The final chapters of Genesis explain how Jacob’s family became welcome guests in Egypt. But Exodus opens to a very different scene. A Pharaoh who didn’t know his history concerning Joseph and the Israelites rose to power. As is the tendency of carnally minded rulers, he began worrying about power. He worried the Israelite population would pose a military threat, so he oppressed them. Instead of welcome neighbors, they became slaves, forced into hard labor by cruel taskmasters. As the years dragged on, the Israelites began to call out to God, and God heard their cry. Exodus 2:25 says, “God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.”
What a beautiful reminder. In our darkest hours, God sees us. When seemingly unbearable burdens crush us, God knows our plight. And while He may work in ways we don’t always see or understand, we can trust that when we cry out to God in faith, He hears, He sees, He knows, He cares, and He acts for the good of His children.