God sent Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh to allow Israelites to go and serve Him. Pharaoh rejected the message and increased suffering of people God was about to deliver from oppression. Exodus 5:1 - Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let my people go and hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. The followings are discussed: God's Word Rejected; God Affirms His Promise, God Reveals His Plan.
God's word rejected: Moses had several encounters with God since he left Egypt. In the wilderness God assured him of His presence with him and commissioned him to lead Israelites out of the bondage. He had assured Moses that He would display His power to convince Pharaoh about freedom of His people. God also told Moses that Pharaoh would not grant the request, but by His mighty hand the Israelites would be freed from slavery. If God calls us to a task He will equip us with what we need to complete it, we just need to give thanks to Him and remain faithful to be successful.
Pharaoh rejected Moses request and increased suffering of the people by increasing their hard labour (Exodus 5:1-6). As their suffering continued they began to loose hope despite assurance of their freedom which was confirmed by miraculous signs Moses performed. The people were emotionally disturbed and felt bitter on injustice done to them.
Consequently they blamed and despised Moses and Aaron for their increased suffering; they were forced to scatter all over the land of Egypt in search of materials needed to do and complete their hard work (Exodus 5:19-21). God sometimes does what He has promised to do at His appointed time, and the interval between His timing and our expectations may be the time of test of our faith. In such a situation we should trust God more and seek His direction.
God Affirms His Promise: Moses was disturbed about Pharaoh's negative reaction and harsh response of his people that he questioned God concerning His promised deliverance (Exodus 5:22-23). He had forgotten what God had said earlier that Pharaoh's heart would be hardened so that he would not allow the people to go. Moses lacked the understanding of how events would unfold at God's timing.
God wasn't angry with Moses about his complaints, He just told him that their deliverance was that very time (Exodus 6:1-13), and that the time had come to show His power in the land of Egypt. He reminded Moses of His covenant with Israel that they would be His people, and He would be their God. They were already discouraged and weakened in faith as a result of increased suffering. Meanwhile God was ready to do what He had promised. When faith is being tested, believers are encouraged to remain faithful and focus on God concerning His promise.
God Reveals His Plan: God said He would make Moses to be like God in the eyes of Pharaoh. He said Moses would be like God to Aaron, and Aaron would be a prophet to him. Moses would go and represent the One true God before Pharaoh, while Aaron would be speaking on his behalf (Exodus 7:1-2). God was about to perform miracles that would make people believe and serve One true God.
God hardened Pharaoh's heart so that he could have spiritual encounter with with Him and see manifestation of His power. He would perform miracles, bring judgement on the land and deliver His people so that all people would know and believe in One true God (Exodus 7:3-7). The loving and eternal God raises hope when it seems there is no hope. Lesson Texts: Exodus 5:1 thru 6:13; 7:1-7.
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