God Remembered His Covenant
Exodus 2:24 (ESV) And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. The redemptive history of Israel from Egypt is summed up in this one passage. God bases all His blessings and work for Israel on His covenant with Abraham from many centuries before. Please understand this: When Israel is in bondage in Egypt and groans, it is not that God suddenly realized something had to be done for Israel. He knew when and what had to be done long before while speaking to Abraham in Genesis 15. It is also not that God felt bad for them. He heard their groaning yes, He cares, yes. But that is not what ultimately prompts His action. It is also not that Israel was doing the right things and winning God's approval. They aren't! Joshua will let us in on that little fact at the end of the book: Joshua 24:14 (ESV) “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers...