Highlights In Today's Reading:
Step-by-step the battle intensifies as Pharaoh brashly questions: Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice? (5:2). Do we occasionally ask the same question by our actions?
Instead of the Israelites being freed from slavery, their pain and suffering had increased because of Moses and Aaron. Whenever God is ready to do something through us for others, there often is a breaking before there is a making. Moses and Aaron not only experienced ridicule and resistance from Pharaoh, but they were criticized by those whom they attempted to liberate from slavery. One would think that the Israelites would be so determined to be free from their 400 years of slavery and so thankful to be the generation chosen to fulfill the Covenant promise of God to Abraham that, surely, they would accept any suffering necessary. But they criticized Moses and Aaron, accusing them of having increased their burdens and of turning the Egyptians against them. The Israelites had an outward need to be freed from slavery but they had an inward need to exercise faith in the Word of God.
What a pity that some today react as the children of Israel did. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (II Tim. 3:12). Like the Israelites, some Christians complain rather than seek to fulfill the will of God. The reaction of Moses to God was: Wherefore hast Thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that Thou hast sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Thy Name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast Thou delivered Thy people at all (Ex. 5:22-23). Once God begins to move in our lives to free us from sin or to use us to witness to others, Satan attempts to frustrate God's purposes and discourage the child of faith from fulfilling the will of God. However, in faith, Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded them (7:6).
Like Moses, the servant of God seeks to persuade others to unconditionally give their hearts and lives to the Lord. He delights to see his Savior glorified in the eyes of others. Don't become discouraged about the Word of God or when you are ignored by those preoccupied with earthly matters.
Jesus said a person must take up his cross daily, and follow Me. . . . And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple (Luke 9:23; 14:27).
Thought for Today:
Don't be surprised when Satan comes against you when you begin to serve the Lord. He didn't have to fight you when you were on his side.
Christ Revealed:
As the Redeemer from the bondage of sin. I am the Lord, and I will bring you out . . . I will redeem you (Ex. 6:6). Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things . . . But with the precious blood of Christ (I Pet. 1:18-19).
Word Studies:
5:4 let =distract; 5:8 tale =daily quota; 5:9 vain words =deceitful promises; 5:13 hasted =kept driving them; 5:19 in evil case =in trouble; minish =reduce; 5:21 savour =good will; 5:22 entreated =afflicted; 6:3 God Almighty =All Sufficient God; 6:6 stretched out arm =mightily; 6:9 hearkened not =refused to listen; 6:13 charge =command; 7:11 enchantments =witchcraft; 7:15 brink =edge; against he come =waiting for him; 7:23 neither did he set his heart =he payed no attention.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: Gina Lesnefsky • Country: United States (270 million) in North America • Major languages: English and Spanish • Religious freedom • 55% Protestant; 28% Catholic; 1% Orthodox; 2% Mormon; 2% Jewish; 1% Muslim; 11% Other/None • Prayer Suggestion: Pray persistently (Is. 62:6).
Optional Reading: Matthew 19
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 4:17