Read Exodus 5
Highlights:
Moses' demands to Pharaoh; Aaron to speak for Moses; Moses' rod turned into a serpent; plague of blood.
God commanded Moses to face the Pharaoh of Egypt, who referred to himself as a god, and say: Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let My people go, that they may hold (celebrate) a feast unto Me in the wilderness. And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go (Ex. 5:1-2).
Moses' immediate reaction was to blame God, saying: Wherefore hast Thou so evil entreated (brought harm to) 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 (5:22-23).
How often in life our questions far outnumber our answers: “Why have I been diagnosed with cancer? Why did my husband divorce me? Why did my child become a drug addict? Why was my child born with handicaps? Why did I lose my job? Why me?” God didn't answer Moses' questions, and seldom does He answer us in the way we expect.
When Moses cried out: “Why, Lord?,” God first reminded him of who He was. And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD (6:2) meaning: “I am the only Self-Existent God and the One who knows what is best. I am altogether sufficient to meet your needs.” What is important for us to know is that God is the unchangeable, loving, Almighty, all-wise God of truth. He promised Moses: I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage . . . I will take you to Me for a people, and I will be to you . . . your God (6:6-8).
Everyone is important to God. He is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). After His seventh I will, He repeated for emphasis: I am the LORD (Ex. 6:8). God has never once failed to keep His Word when our lives are in harmony with His Word. But, seldom are His promises fulfilled as soon as we expect, and almost never in the way we think best.
Pharaoh persisted in keeping the Israelites under his cruel authority. However, as had been foretold, the judgment of God was poured forth on each false Egyptian deity, and, eventually, on Pharaoh himself and on his armies. To day . . . hear His voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation (provoking Me), in the day of temptation (testing) in the wilderness. . . . I was grieved with that generation (Heb. 3:7-8,10).
Thought for Today:
Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for Me (Jer. 32:27)?
Christ Revealed:
As the Redeemer from the bondage of sin. 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:
5:8 tale, quota; 5:9 vain words, worthless promises of Moses; 5:11 not ought, none; 5:13 hasted, kept driving; 5:19 minish, make fewer in number; 5:21 made our savour to be abhorred, made us offensive; 7:15 against he come, waiting to meet him.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Official: Del. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (Northern Mariana Islands) • Country: Netherlands (15.8 million) in northwestern Europe • Major language: Dutch • Religious freedom • 35% Catholic; 28% Protestant; 3% Muslim; 1% Hindu; .9% Buddhist; .1% Jewish; 2% Other; 30% Unaffiliated • Prayer Suggestion: Watch and pray that you may be worthy to stand before the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 21:36).
Optional Reading: Matthew 19
Memory Verse for the Week: