Welcome to Exodus Chapter 5, where we read about the first encounter between Moses and Pharaoh. We see another level of persecution and wickedness, greater than the one in Chapter 1.
Let us review…
1. THE FIRST ENCOUNTER
Exo. 5:1-2 Afterward Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’” And Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go.”
Moses and Aaron, inspired by courage from God and obedience to God, approached Pharaoh with the message of God. The basic request to Pharaoh was freedom for the people. God declared that Israel belonged to Him, and not to Pharaoh. The people that God called “My People” and “My Son” are the same people Pharaoh called “my properties” and “my slaves”. God wants them to be free to serve Him. Everyone who belongs to God should be free, and not bound.
Pharaoh’s heart was evil. He questioned the identity and authority of God. Bold-faced arrogance. Pharaoh denied the Lord, despised His message, oppressed His people with burdens, and remained unchanged. He goofed! He made himself a partner with Satan, opening the door for discouragement, distress, disease, destruction, and death for himself and his people. We must note that whenever God’s people decide to devote their full service and allegiance to God, they will encounter opposition from the world.
God had a bigger purpose for the hot contest Pharaoh was about to start:
- He would show His superior power and sovereignty over Pharaoh and false gods of Egypt.
- He would use it to strengthen the faith of His people.
- He would use it to increase their anticipation and appreciation for deliverance.
- He would show how His will overrules man’s will, yet maintaining that man is still responsible for the choices he makes.
- He would show that there are serious consequences for those who persist in sin and rebellion against Him.
- He would show that no one can stop what He wants to do.
- He would use it to warn other nations (Jos. 2:9)
- He would use it for evangelism (Jos. 2:10-13)
2. THE FIERCE ENMITY
Exo. 5:4-5 Then the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people from their work? Get back to your labor.” And Pharaoh said, “Look, the people of the land are many now, and you make them rest from their labor!”
To Pharaoh, the most important thing was economic productivity. He was bothered about how their short “vacation” would cripple the economy. In an angry response to their request, he created a terribly unfair system for the Israelites to work in. You’ll notice the:
- Perverse Policy:
So the same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their officers… - Oppressive Orders:
You shall no longer give the people straw to make brick as before… - Tyrannical Toils:
And you shall lay on them the quota of bricks which they made before. You shall not reduce it… - Blatant Blasphemy:
Let more work be laid on the men, that they may labor in it, and let them not regard false words. - Cruel Consequences:
So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw. - Serious Suppression:
the officers of the children of Israel…were beaten and were asked, “Why have you not fulfilled your task…?” - Callous Condemnation:
But he said, “You are idle! Idle! - Relentless Refusal:
Therefore go now and work; for no straw shall be given you, yet you shall deliver the quota of bricks.
3. THE FEARFUL EXPERIENCE
Exo. 5:20-21 Then, as they came out from Pharaoh, they met Moses and Aaron who stood there to meet them. And they said to them, “Let the Lord look on you and judge, because you have made us abhorrent in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to kill us.”
Pharaoh’s fierce enmity caused the Israelites a more bitter and fearful experience. The Hebrew foremen came to make an appeal of his judgment, but he told them that their decision to become spiritually focused was the reason for his oppression, thereby making these foremen despise Moses and Aaron and their message and mission of deliverance.
Notice the:
- Fearful Frustration:
And the officers of the children of Israel saw that they were in trouble… - Angry Accusations:
And they said to them, “Let the Lord look on you and judge… - Bitter Blame:
…because you have made us abhorrent in the sight of Pharaoh - Evident Evil:
Pharaoh… put a sword in their hand to kill us. - Faithful Focus:
So Moses returned to the Lord… - Sorrowful Supplication:
“Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Why is it You have sent me? - Perplexing Predicament:
…since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people
Here, we see how Moses raised his sixth objection to God.
Objection 6: Based on God’s Delay
“since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all”
Objection Answered: Based on God’s Mighty Plans
“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh…” (Exo. 6:1)
This protest of Moses is probably the most amazing. If you check carefully, Moses said three things to God. First, he accused God of being responsible for the ongoing suffering. Secondly, he questioned why God chose him for the assignment. Thirdly, he charged God for being unfaithful to His promise to deliver His people. Instead of deliverance, the people suffered worse oppression. How often do believers find themselves in this kind of situation, accusing God and doubting Him.
But to the praise of the glory of His grace wherein He has accepted us in the Beloved, God responds to us mercifully. Rather than strike us for our faithlessness, God remains faithful and He strengthens our hearts. Hallelujah!
If you’re wondering why Pharaoh seemed to be prospering in spite of his wickedness, I recommend that you listen to Pastor Dammy’s sermon titled: Why Do Good Things Happen To Bad People?
Dear Gogolights, Christ does not promise a trouble-free life when we accept Him. In fact, He mentioned that believers will be persecuted. While we may not avoid the persecutions that come with doing His will, we can trust Him to help us overcome them. With hope in God and joy of the Spirit, I encourage you to hold on to God, be still, and see the salvation of God.
Grace to you, Church!
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