God graciously watches over His people through every season of hardship and delivers them in His perfect time.
that our fathers went down to Egypt, and we stayed in Egypt a long time, and the Egyptians treated us and our fathers badly. (v.15)
In this verse, Moses is recounting Israel’s long sojourn in Egypt. The “fathers” here refers to the forefathers of the nation—Jacob (who lived around 1876 BC) and his sons—who originally went down to Egypt during a severe famine (Genesis 46:1-7). Over many generations, the Israelites multiplied significantly in the land (Exodus 1:7). As the years passed, a new Pharaoh rose to power who did not remember Joseph’s contributions, and the Egyptians placed Israel under harsh bondage. This enslavement formed the backdrop for the LORD’s eventual deliverance (Exodus 1:8-11).
The phrase we stayed in Egypt a long time speaks to the centuries the Israelites lived there. Estimates place them in Egypt for about four centuries, waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promise to bring them out and lead them to the Promised Land (Genesis 15:13-14). During that lengthy period, they suffered deeply under Egyptian oppression—the Egyptians treated us and our fathers badly. This harsh treatment, though grievous, became the context through which God’s power and faithfulness were displayed when He rescued His people from slavery.
Spiritually, this verse reminds believers of times when we await deliverance from trials that can feel endless. Just as God brought Israel out of Egypt, this foreshadows how Christ came to rescue humanity from the bondage of sin (Galatians 4:4-5). The lengthy wait and the harsh conditions reveal God’s sovereignty in turning oppression into an occasion for salvation, ultimately demonstrating that the LORD can use difficulties to fulfill His promises.
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Numbers 20:15 meaning
that our fathers went down to Egypt, and we stayed in Egypt a long time, and the Egyptians treated us and our fathers badly. (v.15)
In this verse, Moses is recounting Israel’s long sojourn in Egypt. The “fathers” here refers to the forefathers of the nation—Jacob (who lived around 1876 BC) and his sons—who originally went down to Egypt during a severe famine (Genesis 46:1-7). Over many generations, the Israelites multiplied significantly in the land (Exodus 1:7). As the years passed, a new Pharaoh rose to power who did not remember Joseph’s contributions, and the Egyptians placed Israel under harsh bondage. This enslavement formed the backdrop for the LORD’s eventual deliverance (Exodus 1:8-11).
The phrase we stayed in Egypt a long time speaks to the centuries the Israelites lived there. Estimates place them in Egypt for about four centuries, waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promise to bring them out and lead them to the Promised Land (Genesis 15:13-14). During that lengthy period, they suffered deeply under Egyptian oppression—the Egyptians treated us and our fathers badly. This harsh treatment, though grievous, became the context through which God’s power and faithfulness were displayed when He rescued His people from slavery.
Spiritually, this verse reminds believers of times when we await deliverance from trials that can feel endless. Just as God brought Israel out of Egypt, this foreshadows how Christ came to rescue humanity from the bondage of sin (Galatians 4:4-5). The lengthy wait and the harsh conditions reveal God’s sovereignty in turning oppression into an occasion for salvation, ultimately demonstrating that the LORD can use difficulties to fulfill His promises.