Exodus opens with the family of Jacob and their flourishing in Egypt. They had come there through a series of events initially prompted by the jealousy of Jacob’s sons toward their brother Joseph. God was able to work things for the good of those He called for His purposes.
The growth of the Hebrews’ families caught the attention of Pharaoh (1:9). He was concerned they would outnumber and overpower the Egyptians, so he worked to oppress them. Like Joseph’s brothers decades earlier, Pharaoh was jealous of how God was at work and tried to prevent His blessing from encroaching on his own plans.
God is sovereign, so He can work in all places and all situations. The fear of God led the midwives to disobey Pharaoh. His guiding hand placed Moses in front of Pharaoh’s daughter. He even worked in Moses’ life after he murdered an Egyptian and fled to Midian. He was able to prepare him to shepherd His people by allowing him to shepherd Jethro’s flocks. He knew His groaning people needed a deliverer (2:24-25, 3:10).
Moses balked at the idea of returning to Egypt and speaking to Pharaoh, so God introduced Himself in a new way—the I Am (3:14). Moses was the agent, but Yahweh was the King. The focus was not on Moses, but on Yahweh. When Moses and Aaron shared the plan of Yahweh with His people, they rejoiced that Yahweh had heard them.
Yahweh is over all things because He Is. He can work in all things because He Is. Praise God for being the I Am and saving us through Jesus.