Are you discouraged? Take it to the LORD! (Exodus 5)

Are you discouraged? Take it to the LORD! (Exodus 5)

Scripture reading: Exodus 5

Our study in the Book of Exodus continues after Moses and Aaron met with the “elders of the children of Israel” (Exodus 4:30). Aaron spoke to the leaders on Moses’ behalf, as the LORD promised he would (Exodus 4:15-16), and Moses “did the signs in the sight of the people” (Exodus 4:30; note Exodus 4:2-3, 6-7, 9). Convinced by Aaron’s report and the miracles performed by Moses, the people “believed” God had heard their cry and sent Moses to be their deliverer (Exodus 4:31).





Confident of the Lord’s presence, Moses and Aaron sought their first audience with Pharaoh. Standing before the king of Egypt, they boldly declared, “Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness” (Exodus 5:1). Defiantly, Pharaoh answered, “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” (Exodus 5:2).





Pharaoh’s Obstinance (Exodus 5:2-21)

Pharaoh asked, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice?” (Exodus 5:2) The answer he was given was, “The God of the Hebrews” (Exodus 5:3a). Surely, Pharaoh wondered, “The God of slaves? The God who appeared to have forsaken Israel for the past four hundred years? That is the God you fear will ‘fall upon [you] with pestilence, or with the sword?’” (Exodus 5:3b)



Proud and obstinate, Pharaoh alleged Moses and Aaron were attempting to lighten the burden of the children of Israel. He then doubled down on the slaves (Exodus 5:4-5). Rather than lighten their duties, the king commanded his Egyptian taskmasters to oppress the Hebrews and increase their workload (Exodus 5:6-9). The Egyptian taskmasters cruelly beat “the officers of the children of Israel” who supervised their people (Exodus 5:10-14).





Closing thoughts - The criticisms of the people pierced the heart of Moses. He cried, “Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me? (23) 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” (Exodus 5:22-23).





Closing questions:



1) Rather than success, Moses came to realize his effort to free his people from slavery only increased their sorrows and afflictions. How did Moses respond? (Exodus 5:22-23)



2) How do you respond to criticisms and discouragement?



3) Where do you turn when you find yourself the object of unjust criticism?



Copyright © 2023 – Travis D. Smith

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