Exodus, Part 6
Exodus 5:1 – 6:12
Introduction
- Exodus is an incredible study of God’s faithfulness to man
-- It is also a great encouragement to see man’s ability to be faithful to God
- Today we see the first encounter between Moses and Pharaoh
-- It is important for us to understand that not everything goes as we think it will
-- However, everything we do should be done in obedience to God’s calling
- Read Exodus 5:1-23 / Pray
- Moses first confrontation with Pharaoh brings four results
1. There is a declaration of God’s will
- God’s will: His people should be freed
-- They should have liberty to worship and serve God
- Note: Pharaoh would’ve granted the meeting; especially with the elders
-- His thinking would’ve been that there was important business to discuss
-- This may’ve led to his response – felt blind-sided by the group
- Yet, God’s will for his people is to have liberty, justice, and freedom
-- He wants none enslaved (consider, sent Jesus for our freedom)
-- He wanted Israel freed as well – to be free to serve and worship Him
- Romans 10:12, “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him”
2. There is a rejection of God’s will
- Pharaoh’s response shows exactly how he feels about God
-- He looks at this request as it is ridiculous – something to be laughed at
-- But why … why would he laugh at this request?
• He was ignorant of God; didn’t fear God (v2)
• He accused God’s messengers of disturbing the peace (v4-5)
• He was mean-spirited, hard-hearted, and malicious (v6-8)
• He likewise dismissed the message of God as a lie (v9)
• And then, he misused his authority and power:
o Made oppression even worse in the land
o Slave masters were to gather up the straw (v10)
o Yet, the slaves still had to maintain brick quota
o People had to go find straw to use; further separating families (v11)
o Slave-drivers pressed people to continue with their quota
o Israelite foremen were beaten for not meeting the standard (v14)
3. There is a rejection of an appeal for justice
- Even when the foreman appealed to Pharaoh, they were rejected
-- His heart had no compassion for them – he only saw his way (v15-16)
- Get this: Pharaoh clearly showed his position and hatred for God
• He made his response sarcastically with false accusations (v17)
• He demonstrated a spirit of injustice to all who pled this case (v18)
- The result was exactly what he wanted: obedience from the Israelites
-- These people would feel hopeless and helpless – perfect conditions for slaves
- APP: When you want to control someone, you have to tear them down
-- Pharaoh was a master at destroying people to do his bidding
4. There is the cry of God’s messenger
- Moses and Aaron meet with the foreman, and receive the horrible news
-- Not only has Pharaoh rejected them further … but the punishment got worse
- Foreman personally blame Moses for their treatment (v21)
-- This led to Moses being crushed in spirit, unable to do anything
- He does the only thing he can do … cries out to God (v22)
-- Moses cried out (read v23) …
- In his despair, all he could do was see that this was God’s fault
-- After all, God had sent him on this mission … and here is the result
-- CHALL: We’ve got to see how this doesn’t help as well
- We cannot curse God when things don’t go how we think it will
-- No matter the road ahead … God is still sovereign and able to provide
- Re: He already gave us a preview that Pharaoh wouldn’t listen
- Re: God said that he was going to unleash terrible things (1st born)
- However, Moses has forgotten those things in his despair
- TRANS: Moses was desperate; everyone had turned against him
-- Even worse, Pharaoh is punishing the people for HIS words/actions
-- He has become crushed, broken, and desperate … thankfully God answers him
- Read Exodus 6:1-12
Point 2 – God’s response to Moses
- Want us to see how God moves in response to Moses’ prayer
-- Three things come to mind showing that God is listening when we pray
-- APP: Even in the darkest times, God hears our prayers and is there for us
1. God encourages his messenger in three specific ways
- God makes three promises to Moses in response to him
- First, God promised to raise a mighty hand against Pharaoh
-- This in turn will force Pharaoh to release the people (v1)
- Second, God assured Moses, “I am the Lord” (Jehovah – sovereign)
-- God declares that he is able to redeem and deliver His people (v2-3)
- Third, God reviewed His covenant with Moses
-- He reviews this great promise He has given to him and his people (v4)
- He shares with Moses His compassion and concern for their suffering (v5)
2. God encourages his people
- God promises to deliver His people (v6)
• I will bring you out from your burdens
• I will free you from slavery
• I will redeem you
- God says He will adopt His people (v7)
• I will take you to be my people
• I will be your God
• His purpose is clear: That they will know Him as God; great deliverer
- God declares He will lead His people to the promised land (v8)
• He promises to bring them to the promised land they’ve heard about
• Then, God promises to GIVE the land to them
- His proclamation that He is Lord solidifies this … they can trust in this
-- APP: If God says it, it will come to pass
3. God gives the king a great message
- Moses is then sent back to Pharaoh to claim the truth
-- CONSIDER: Would you go back to Pharaoh after what just happened?
- The message Moses has is clear: they are to be delivered and freed (v11)
-- Even though Moses is assuredly uneasy (v12), he gives God no answer
- This is critical …. When told to go, sometimes you just have to obey
-- Sometimes, an answer isn’t even required – but obedience is
- TRANS: This is our main challenge for today…
Big Idea: The messenger of God is to obey, no matter the challenges that come
- Not everyone can preach, not everyone can sing, not everyone can ______
- But, we can all obey and be willing to step out/up when God calls
- We are not called to understand or know all the details – but to go
- What if we found ourselves in Moses’ shoes … would we obey like this?
-- That is the call of Christianity … to GO – to obey God’s direction. / Pray
** Special thanks to “The Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible” for notes **
