Exodus 4:18 – 5:23 – July 21st, 2009
For Israel, things just keep getting worse. In the days of Moses, Israel is held in slavery by Egypt. God is calling Moses to go and lead them out. However, there is still Pharaoh that has to be included in this equation. Pharaoh isn’t just going to let his entire work-force go without a fight.
Now, picture this from the point-of-view of a Jewish slave. Not only are you already a slave, and have no real hope of any future change. Now, due to this Moses guy, your work load just doubled. Pharaoh has eliminated providing you with straw to make bricks, instead you have to gather the straw yourself and still produce just as much! Imagine what you might be thinking. And, that is exactly how they explain themselves to Moses.
Moses, on the other hand, who is not a slave, and is not made to work for Pharaoh, gets upset with God. Moses cries out, “Lord, why have you done this evil to the people?” But, why? Why does Moses do this?
It is because Moses didn’t listen to God in the first place. At the end of chapter 4, God tells Moses that Pharaoh will resist. And, of course, Pharaoh does just as God said he would. Meanwhile, Moses is blaming God for doing just what God said would happen.
Why don’t people listen? I guess in some cases it is lack of faith. Clearly, that was an issue that Moses dealt with. Moses believed that he was not qualified for the job to begin with. This just added to his issues about his qualifications. Yet, now, it offered him an opportunity to also blame God with an “I told you so”.
It often gets worse before it gets better. At least that is how the saying goes. In this case it sure is true. God has promised that the people will be delivered; but God didn’t promise a timeframe. It is critical to listen to God, and be prepared to be challenged in the meantime.
Grace & Peace,
Jeff Ludington.
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