(1) Things happened exactly as what God told Moses-Pharaoh refused to let them go
(BKC) Pharaoh reacted in three ways: (1) He repudiated the God of Israel as having no authority (5:2). (2) He was calloused to the possibility of any harm that might come on the Israelites for disobeying their God (vv. 2–3)... (3) He was concerned for his own loss of labor productivity (5:4–5).
Reflection: Pharaoh did not acknowledge God as Someone above him, but God knew him very well and predicted exactly his reaction. Our lives are under God's sovereign control and so are our leaders. Do not be afraid of things out of control. It may be out of our control, but not God's. Whether those leaders believe in God or not, God still has control over them.
Reflection: Pharaoh did not acknowledge God as Someone above him, but God knew him very well and predicted exactly his reaction. Our lives are under God's sovereign control and so are our leaders. Do not be afraid of things out of control. It may be out of our control, but not God's. Whether those leaders believe in God or not, God still has control over them.
(2) The Israelite foremen went straight up to Pharaoh to complain about their middle management. For he thought by doing so, their hardship might be alleviated.
v. 15 The Israelite foremen went and cried out to Pharaoh, “Why are you treating your servants this way? 5:16 No straw is given to your servants, but we are told, ‘Make bricks!’ Your servants are even being beaten, but the fault is with your people.”
When they got the refusal from Pharaoh they turned their anger to Moses.
When they got the refusal from Pharaoh they turned their anger to Moses.
5:21 and they said to them, “May the LORD look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the opinion of Pharaoh and his servants, so that you have given them an excuse to kill us!”
When Moses turned to God for help. God did not take care of their brick problem, nor helping them to find more strew to make enough bricks. Instead, God took care of Pharaoh and took His people out of Egypt.
When Moses turned to God for help. God did not take care of their brick problem, nor helping them to find more strew to make enough bricks. Instead, God took care of Pharaoh and took His people out of Egypt.
5:22 Moses returned to the LORD, and said, “Lord, why have you caused trouble for this people? Why did you ever send me? 5:23 From the time I went to speak to Pharaoh in your name, he has caused trouble for this people, and you have certainly not rescued them!”
6:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh, for compelled by my strong hand he will release them, and by my strong hand he will drive them out of his land.”
Reflection: Many times we are like the Israelite foremen and we focus on our immediate problems. The brick problem was created by Pharaoh so that the people would not listen to Aaron and Moses v.9. It was not the real issue. God solved their problem from its root. May we pray for God to solve our root problem. Miscommunication is not the root problem, our sinful selfishness and self-centeredness are. Time management is not, but wrong priority is. Depression is not, our distancing from the real source of joy is. Last night in the Cantonese small group, we study Ps 16,
6:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh, for compelled by my strong hand he will release them, and by my strong hand he will drive them out of his land.”
Reflection: Many times we are like the Israelite foremen and we focus on our immediate problems. The brick problem was created by Pharaoh so that the people would not listen to Aaron and Moses v.9. It was not the real issue. God solved their problem from its root. May we pray for God to solve our root problem. Miscommunication is not the root problem, our sinful selfishness and self-centeredness are. Time management is not, but wrong priority is. Depression is not, our distancing from the real source of joy is. Last night in the Cantonese small group, we study Ps 16,
16:11 I experience absolute joy in your presence
Our joy is absolute, independent of our circumstances, untouchable. Nothing can diminish our joy if we are in the right relationship with God.Audrey
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