This short passage is the conclusion of the backdrop of the exodus event. The exodus is the main story but in chapters one and two (and the book of Genesis) we are told how Israel ended up in Egypt, the drastic change in the relationship between Israel and Egypt, and the subsequent bitter oppression Israel suffered.
Moses, remarkably preserved by God, sought to intervene on behalf of Israel when he reached 40 years of age, but he was rejected and had to flee Egypt when Pharaoh sought to kill him. He found a wife and became a shepherd in Midian and will spend 40 years there before God sends him back to Egypt. This passage tells us things have gotten worse for Israel during the 40 years after Moses left.
We read: “The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
God remembering his covenant is an often used expression in the Scriptures for God acting on his promise. God doesn’t forget of course, the language is for us to consider that if God does not act on the basis of his promise, there is no hope for men. When you read “God remembered his covenant” you should remember (if you are a Christian) that this is the foundation of your salvation; if you are not a Christian it as invitation to enter into God’s covenant.
This may become clearer when we consider the case of Israel in bondage. They cry out to God in their misery. We are tempted to think the oppression itself is the reason God acts. It is true that God owes Egypt condemnation and judgment, which we will see unfold in the next chapters. It is not true that Israel deserved to be delivered.
God will make very clear that he would have been just to leave Israel in bondage. He doesn’t act because of their misery or cries. Their misery and cries are part of his acting in grace; a sign God is turning their hearts toward him before he delivers them. Israel was worthy of judgment. God acts on the basis of his promise; his promise of grace, which is undeserved favor.
In Ezekiel 20 we read that Israel had adopted the idols of Egypt even though they lived in misery. God said they refused to “cast away those detestable things from their eyes.” The language is similar to Eve being deceived into sin: “When the woman saw that the fruit was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate.” Also in Ezekiel God says the oppression of Israel was God’s wrath against their turning from him.
The reason he delivers them is because he had promised. Israel was like Egypt in heart. They would have loved to have swapped places with the Egyptians. They loved the idols of Egypt. They didn’t seek God. In his grace, God used the oppression to show Israel the misery of following after false gods, which are no gods at all. When God acts in grace toward any sinner, he convinces them of their sin and misery; their need of salvation. This is part of the promise.
He also teaches them of an inestimable love in the salvation he provides. In verse 25 we read that God was concerned about Israel. It literally reads “God knew.” The word “knew” is an expression of intimacy. When God expresses his love toward sinners he ultimately has the provision he provides in Christ in mind and that is an intimacy impossible to measure.
In Christ, God lavishes love and compassion on those he saves. He saves them, not because of righteous things they have done, but his own purposes and grace. They enter into a filial relationship with God eternally. If you know Christ, you know him as Savior and as God. God has sought you out, rescued you from your idolatry and sin that made you like the Egyptians.
The psalmist says, “I would rather be in the house of the Lord, than tents full of sin.” The expression reflects a heart that knows what bondage to sin is, and has been forgiven. There is still a struggle, but no more satisfaction with sin and idols. God has remembered his covenant.
