John Calvin Commentary Exodus 1:12

"But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel." — Exodus 1:12 (ASV)

But the more. Moses recounts the contest between the mercy of God and the cruelty of the king of Egypt. When, therefore, the oppressed Israelites were tyrannically afflicted, he says that God came to their aid, and so powerfully that His intervention was successful. Thus, that wicked and deceitful design which the Egyptians had initiated to destroy the Church was frustrated.

From this, we too may draw hope that whatever the wicked devise against us will come to nothing, because God’s hand is greater and shall prevail.

However, we must bear afflictions patiently, because He intends for us to struggle against and rise under the weight imposed upon us.¹⁶ And because we know that it is the unique role of God to oppose unjust plans so that they do not succeed, let us learn to abstain from all deceit and violence, so that we do not recklessly provoke God.

This passage is especially intended to console the believer, so that he may be prepared to take up his cross more patiently, since God is sufficient to supply the help to which the wrath of the wicked must finally yield.

What is said in the second part of the verse—that the Egyptians¹⁷ were grieved—means that they became more anxious when they saw that they achieved nothing and that the Israelites' unexpected increase threatened even greater danger. For since they feared the Israelites even before they afflicted them, it is no wonder that they felt alarmed that the Israelites might avenge themselves when provoked.

And from this, the profitable instruction can be gathered: while the wicked commit horrible crimes to ensure their safety, the Almighty brings upon them the just consequence, so that their anxiety is thereby increased.

Some render it, “the Egyptians hated the people of Israel.” The word קוף, kutz, is sometimes understood this way, but the construction of the passage demands the rendering I have given.

¹⁶ “A la facon de la palme;” like the palm-tree. — Fr..

¹⁷ ויקצו, C., And they were burdened with anxiety In A V., And they were grieved The verb קוף is generally taken for to loathe — W