Exodus 5-6.27

Exodus 5-6:27

After talking with the elders of Israel, Aaron and Moses go and speak to the Pharaoh. This is the first time that God is referred to as the God of Israel. Israel is God's people! God instructs Aaron and Moses to go speak His command to Pharaoh~ "Let my people go that they may go and worship me." Pharaoh's response is much like many today: "Who is God that I should listen?" "Who is God that I should change what I am doing and change my ways?" God is going to show Pharaoh exactly the answer to this question through the plagues that would be sent to Egypt!

The Pharaoh was stubborn, and refused to let go of God's people. Instead of obeying God, he forces even harder labor on God's people (Israel). Pharaoh probably thought he was big and bad, but God is greater. God's ways are always better! Love what it says in 1 Corinthians 1:27: God uses the weak to shame the wise. Pharaoh may have thought he was tough, but he wasn't. Pharaoh may have thought he was bigger, but he isn't. A mere human (or group of humans) are no match for God. Nations are viewed as "less than nothing" in compare to God (See Isaiah 40:17). Nations, which are filled with millions of people. They are less than nothing in comparison to God. God is GREATER, STRONGER, and worthy of our praise! Also God can use anyone, and He chose to use Moses and Aaron!

Moses faced two struggles in following God in His plan for Israel. These struggles may have gave Moses' questions, but it did not void God's plan to deliver His chosen people. Moses' two struggles were Pharaoh and the people of Israel.

Pharaoh (the king of Egypt) had a distorted view of the Israelites. He saw them crying out as a sign that they were lazy. He failed to see that God is real. He chose to believe lies himself, but stated that they were the ones believing lies (Ex 5:6-9). Even when the Israelite overseers went to Pharaoh, the Pharaoh blamed the Israelites, calling them lazy.

 The people of Israel (God's chosen people) were severely afflicted. When things got worse, their focus was not on God or what He may have been doing, but their pain: their harsh treatment by the Egyptians. They blamed Moses and Aaron for adding to their pain. They refused to listen when God spoke through Moses and Aaron. They refused to listen, making it more difficult to led a nation out of slavery and oppression.

God chose to work greatly through these two brothers! When criticism comes upon Moses, he returns to God (meeting with Him) to ask Him for His guidance. It can be frustrating when we seek to follow the Lord and things look different than we expect. We need to keep seeking His guidance, just as Moses did!

God spoke to Moses in the midst of his discouragement. He was facing criticism from the Israelites. He knew what God had spoken to him before regarding speaking to Pharaoh. He knew the encounter he had with God. God had given Moses something to do. God was working through Moses and Aaron to bring deliverance to the entire nation of Israel. Even when it was hard and Moses faced discouragement, he knew that God had a plan. Even when he is questioning and asking God for guidance, he knew God had a plan: one mightier than any could expect. God spent this time alone with Moses: speaking the truth to him. God was revealing to Moses who He really is. God was showing Moses what to do and say. He would be speaking to the Israelites. We need to be obedient to do what God is asking us to do: immediately following Him, and doing it. "If we have an obedience problem, we have a love problem." (From Experiencing God) Moses was obedient to God. He went and spoke the words God told him to Israel, but Israel was discouraged from their harsh treatment so they did not listen. Still even when they did not listen, Moses did what God told him to do. He spoke God's Word to His people. We cannot rely on our perception of things, but trusting God in all things! We know He has a greater plan for us! He will guide and direct us!

Our important task is to follow God wholeheartedly. Others may not listen to us, but we need to diligently follow the Lord and speaking the words He gives us. We cannot let our mindset, become like Moses' when he said to our Lord and Creator:"If the Israelites will not listen to me, why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I speak with faltering lips?” (Exodus 6:12)

Luke 12:12 says: "For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say." In Matthew 10:19, it says it a bit different. It reminds us not to worry what to say or deliberate beforehand, because God will give us the right words at the right time! Just as He gave Moses the words to speak, He will do the same for us. Giving us His words to speak at just the right time, allowing us to be His instruments and His witnesses.