12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites 13 and worked them ruthlessly.
There is a spirit behind ALL that is occurring now, what’s been rising rather quickly, and it’s no different than the spirit that worked within Pharoah. This IS why the plagues of God are coming—to let His people go. Remember, God hardened Pharoah’s heart (Ex. 9:12; Ex. 14:4). This is how God will gain His glory in the coming days, so be strong, His people. The ‘Egyptians’ or those that have been hardened against the Lord, WILL KNOW THAT HE IS THE LORD. In other words, that God is the master over all things, and no man can master over His people unless He allows it, and He chooses when to release them to walk in the ways of Him.
The scriptures say, “so the Egyptians came to DREAD the Israelites.” Dread in the Hebrew context means: to fear, to be terrified, or to be alarmed. These are just a few definitions that go along with this context. What did they fear, and why? The darkness within them feared the Light that may multiply among them BECAUSE the darkness working within them knew that the Light would be born out of them—which would free the captives, both Jews and Gentiles.
So, this war we’re in IS the darkness against the Light that is hidden among the people. And, it’s increasing in this hour to reveal the man of lawlessness. This is not one man. This is a body (just like Christ has a Body of His people), which has been overcome with the spirit of rebellion (2Thess. 3-4). God’s temple is supposed to be people’s own body (1Cor. 6:19-20). Yet, a spirit of rebellion has claimed it in many, opposed and exalted itself over what God has ordained for His glory & worship, and even has come to the point of ‘setting itself apart’ as being like God—ruling over people (but with unloving motives and all wicked things behind it—which is driven to destroy).
10 Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.”
11 So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh.
The spirit working within Pharoah was also concerned with ‘war breaking out, that they’d become their enemies, fight against them, and leave.’ Hear what is being said here. Granted this was a literal thing going on at this time, but now this is the connection between the literal & spiritual consummating. The darkness is scared of the war coming against it by the Spirit BECAUSE it will overthrow it. In fact, He will smite the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips (Is. 11:4). This spirit working among us now is concerned God will rise in the Truth and fight against it AND cause freedom of the workings of this power within ‘Egypt’ (and His people will be truly set free).
So, in this last attempt, they will put masters over them to oppress them. They will ‘force them’ in a sense, to do things. This is to try to ‘work it out of them’ with harsh and bitter tactics.
Ex. 1:14
14 They made their lives bitter with harsh labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their harsh labor the Egyptians worked them ruthlessly.
But know this, God has a great deliverance that will come which will demonstrate His power! And the true gospel will be released for all those He is about to free.
See also: Exodus 1; 2Thess. 2; Isaiah 11; Revelation 14