We begin to learn a pattern that is set for all who seek to obey God. It is the reality that following the call of God isn’t easy and is often met with hardship, suffering, rejection and even persecution. But don’t forget the promises of God on the journey. Remember that God is testing His servants and working out His eternal purposes for His glory and the good of His chosen people.
vDetermined act of obedience is met with the total rejection of God’s Word.
Moses and Aaron are God’s courageous ambassadors: They declare God’s Word and warn what is to come. Pharaoh response: Rejection of God’s merciful message and His messengers. vs. 1-3
· His rejection was personal and highlighted his arrogance. “Who is the LORD, that I
should obey his voice and let Israel go? I don’t God, and I will not let Israel go!” God
will show who is in control.
This first encounter with Pharaoh shows us is a picture of the gospel of grace.
· God is gracious and merciful to warn us before He acts in just judgement.
· Man is personally responsible for his sinful actions.
· The Christian life is one of obedience to God’s call, but that does not always mean
that everything will be easy. The Bible shows us that the road gets rocky on the
journey.
vDefiant Pharaoh is angered; it leads to further hardship for God’s people.
The obedience of the LORD’s servants is met with direct defiance from Pharaoh.
Pharaoh’s sinful character (his heart is hard) is further revealed: No, they can’t go; Israel is just lazy; make the same number of bricks without straw given to them; and don’t listen to these lying messengers. vs. 4-14
· The Egyptian taskmasters show the same sinful heart in the treatment of
Israel’s appointed foremen. They are beaten for the lack of bricks being made
by the people of God. This defiant heart reveals the truth that to reject and
resist the light of the Word means to receive further darkness and to dive
deeper into sin”.
vDespairing cries of the foremen are directed to the wrong master.
The foremen are beaten for the lack of brick production and plead their case to Pharaoh, but their hardship only increases. Their cry should have gone up to the LORD! vs. 15-19
This shows us what the enemy, the Devil and his demons are like against those seeking
to follow the God: the enemy is consistent in his attack, and relentless in his distraction not to remember God’s gracious promises. Just when the hope of deliverance seemed so close, the oppression increased!
· See the natural inclination of man: It is natural for you to call on who you see rather
then the invisible God! Don’t make God your last resource, run to Him in prayer.
vDeclaring blame on God’s servants. vs. 20-21
The foreman set an example of blaming Moses and Aaron for their hardship and their seemingly death to come. This pattern will be followed by the people of Israel throughout their history.
· It is one thing to be meet with rejection and criticism from the world, but it is a
completely different testing to be criticized and blamed by your own people for their
suffering. May we be careful in our suffering and not be so quick to have to blame
someone, especially God’s servants that He has given to lead and guide. Remember
Christ! Acts 7:17-53