We are in still in Exodus chapter one with our word for today. עָנָה be wretched, emaciated, cringe, be crouched, hunched up, bowed down, afflicted, pitiful, be humbled, bestow labor on anything. It is used 78 times in the Old Testament. A good example of this word is used to describe how Sarai treated her servant because she despised her ability to have children when she could not. Genesis 16:6 But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your servant is in your power; do to her as you please.” Then Sarai וַתְּעַנֶּ֣הָ dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her. We also see it used the same way in Psalm 94:5 They crush your people, Lord; they יְעַנּֽוּ oppress your inheritance. When God predicts this oppression of his people way back in Abraham’s time he uses our word. Genesis 15:13 Then the Lord said to him, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and וְעִנּ֣וּ afflicted there. This is the sense our word is used in our chapter today. Exodus 1:10-12 Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” Therefore they set taskmasters over them to עַנֹּת֖וֹ afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they were יְעַנּ֣וּ oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel.
Pharaoh’s efforts were having the opposite effect on the people. This was because God had already declared that he would bless his people. So regardless of what others might do to try and stop God’s plan it would not succeed. Here are some great verses that remind us of this theme we find repeated throughout the Bible. Proverbs 16:1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. Proverbs 16:9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. A good example of this is in the New Testament when the Pharisee Gamaliel speaks to the Sanhedrin during a discussion about what to do with Peter and the other apostles preaching about Jesus. Acts 5:38-39 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God. I’ll close with one of my favorite Proverbs about this very thing. Proverbs 21:30-31 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.
