“¹¹Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Raamses. ¹²But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel.”

– Exodus 1:11-12 (NKJV)

“Therefore they set taskmasters over them (a) [the kingdom of Egypt is now fully under the sway of the evil one under the leadership of their new king – effectively an antichrist-type, in a poor counterfeit strategy in the manner after Joseph once become a Christ-type – and the hierarchies of the kingdom of darkness are quickly established as can be inferred from the phrase “taskmasters set over them“. Slavery almost instantly ensues as does the inevitable witchcraft of the flesh – and no doubt also higher order witchcraft embedded in their pagan roots – namely, manipulation, intimidation and control / domination i.e. the unholy trifecta foundation upon which all forms of slavery – both organised & outward, clandestine & covert – have been founded since the beginning] to afflict them (b) [yet ultimately serving only to create in them resilience and dependency upon the Most High God; simultaneously also glorifying His might in the midst of the most adverse circumstances (1 Peter 1:6-7)] with their burdens (c) [I find the use of the word “their ” burdens rather fascinating; does the enemy believe he can coerce the children of God to enmesh their Godly identities with burdens they were never meant to carry (Gal 6:5)? Do the Egyptians believe they can defer their own burden of sin upon the backs of the Children, forcing them to become a propitiation for it, to assume the punishment on their behalf, without any need for repentance and admission of guilt on their part? Is not the story of The Cross not always bellowed from the rooftops within the narrative of every instance of oppression and injustice! That those you seek to injure are the very ones who can grant you life?]. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities (d) [how painful a burden of conscience to erect unto a heathen king such monuments of idol-worship to mammon (intended only to take) by the sweat of one’s own brow; what can a child do but trust that the Most High God will ultimately use something so abominable to bring Him glory; as we once again see here a cruel counterfeit of the God-ordained storehouses once built by our Joseph (intended only to provide and to feed 😊)], Pithom and Raamses (e) [the naming of territories in an attempt to secure kingdom of darkness borders]. But (f) [☝🏽] the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew (g) [for it is under pressure that diamonds are formed, it is in the fire that gold is purified; it is in the most pitiable circumstances and in the most abject human weakness that God’s might is amplified and His glory put on undeniable display, for His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor 12)]. And they were in dread of (h) [for despite every wicked, intimidating and deeply painful ploy of apparent temporary success that the enemy can bring against them, the knowledge that a people, a person is backed by the Most High God should reduce any foe to shudder and tremble for, truly, truly “If God is for us who can be against us . . . “] the children of Israel.”