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The bitter labor that was given to Israel actually made them multiply and grow. In the future, when the Passover celebration would be established, the bitter herbs would come to represent the bitterness of the slave labor that was inflicted on Israel by Pharaoh.
The plot that unfolds is setting the stage for the miraculous story of Moses, who should have been killed at birth. In verse 19, the midwives give their answer as to why they have chosen not to kill baby boys. On the surface, it may seem like a lie. However, the midwives knew that despite their hard labor, God was providing strength and growth. It was supernatural and against what should have been happening. In other words, they feared God much more than they feared Pharaoh.
Their words are true. God was multiplying Israel through repetitive miraculous births. So many, in fact, that the women report that the babies were being born before they could effectively get to them. This shows both that God was at work in providing them an answer to Pharaoh, but also that
He was at work in graciously sustaining healthy children despite a midwife not being there! Because of their obedience to following and fearing Him, God blessed them. Verse 21 declares…
Since the midwives feared God, He gave them families.
Exodus 1:21 HCSB
Pharaoh, however, was about to go to ‘Plan B’ with Moses’ upcoming birth.