The benefits of affliction

But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel. – Exodus 1v12

Many years passed in Egypt after all the successes and prosperity of Joseph and his family. Israel had grown and prospered to the point where they numbered several million. A new dynasty had come to power and knew nothing about the story of Joseph and his family.

This new king saw what he perceived as foreigners and was afraid of their potential power. He thought the best answer to the threat was to make slaves of them and use them on a great building project. He was a cruel taskmaster. He made their burdens incredibly heavy. He hoped that he would break them as a people and as a nation.

‘But the more they afflicted them the more they multiplied and grew, and the Egyptians feared the children of Israel.’

The principle of God’s people prospering in affliction and trouble is a consistent one throughout the Bible. God’s people always do best when they are attacked and afflicted. These people were still slaves, they still had to work hard, their lives were not great, but they still multiplied and grew.

While we dread affliction is our lives it is the only way to grow. That is why we are told to count it as all joy when the trials come because they are the only sure way of growth.