Exodus Trust and Obey, For There is NO Other Way! 5:1-6:12 This morning we look at the issue of trust. God s word is to be trusted because He said it. We often describe faith as: God said it. I believe it. But God is well aware that we need to be encouraged in our faith. He provides reassurance because we struggle with believing. We will see this is often the case for the Israelites. Most of us have history with God to encourage our faith. Joseph Parker explains it this way: How to Enrich Life. The way to enrich life is to keep a retentive memory in the heart. Look over a period of twenty years, and see the all-covering and ever-shining mercy of God! How many special providences have you observed? How many narrow escapes have you experienced? How many difficulties have you surmounted? How often have you found a pool in unexpected places? We should lay up some memory of the Divine triumphs which have gladdened our lives, and fall back upon it for inspiration and courage in the dark and cloudy day. Go into your yesterdays to find God! Search for Him in the paths along which you have come, and, if you dare, under the teaching of your own memories, deny His goodness, then betake yourselves to the infamous luxury of distrust and reproach. 1 The problem for the Israelites was not much history in their own lives. And so when things don t go as they expect, they begin to doubt. But then again, we never do that, do we? VII. The Return of Moses D. Moses & Pharaoh The First Time Verses 1-5 E. Pharaoh s Response to Moses Verses 6-21 F. God s Response to Moses Chapters 5:22-6:12 But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. ~ Psalm 69:13 Introduction: Because we have been covering so much material I thought a little recap would be helpful here. God has started Moses on his way back to Egypt to lead the people from their bondage and to the land of Canaan. Moses, because of his own fears, has caused God to place Aaron in the role of spokesman for His message. God would instruct Moses and Moses, Aaron. Often the Lord will give us what we desire, but this often means we lose the best part, the blessings the Lord has for us. We should let him set the way and simply follow. 1 Hanford, editor, Thomas W. 2010 Popular Quotation, The Master Christian Library, AGES Software, Albany, OR, Version 8.0 2000.
On the road to Egypt we see one of the stranger incidents in Scripture. God prepared to take Moses life. This man, who was to be the leader of the people, had not followed God s most basic requirement, the circumcision of his son. Zipporah, Moses wife carried out the act. But her anger at this may have led her to leave with the children. So she returned to her father. Walton and Matthews see this passage a bit differently. Their position is: The text has told us that there was no one in Egypt seeking to kill Moses (v. 19), but Moses still stood guilty of bloodshed before God. Later, cities of refuge were established to provide shelter for someone who felt there were mitigating circumstances in a homicide, but Moses had sought refuge in Midian. By leaving his place of refuge, Moses became vulnerable to being called to account for his crime. Others in the Old Testament whom the Lord called on to go somewhere but then accosted on the way include Jacob (Gen 319-32) and Balaam (Num 22). In each instance God did indeed want the individual to make the journey but had an issue to settle before he could proceed. 2 The authors see the circumcision as expiation for Moses from his crime of murder. One recent study has plausibly suggested that circumcision in many cultures was done by the man s inlaws and extended the protection of the family over the man and his children. If such was the Midianite practice, this could serve as an extension of the refuge that Moses had in Midian. From the Israelite side, the dabbing of the blood is seen also in the Passover ritual (12:7) and offers protection from the slaughtering angel.(12:44-48). Zipporah s comment that Moses was a bridegroom of bloodshed would indicate both his need for protection by the family and his need for expiating blood. 3 I present this to show that when dealing with more obscure passages commentators can come to different conclusions. But it seems the best understanding is the simplest one. Moses hadn t circumcised his son, ignoring the covenantal requirement. So, how could he lead God s covenantal people? Remember the point is, we re called to obedience in all things. And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says I know him but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked (1 John 2:3 6 ESV). Next we see the reunion of Moses and Aaron. Moses shared all God had told him. He demonstrated the signs. Then they went to the elders sharing everything with them, telling them of God s love and His intent to free them for their bondage. This was keeping with His promises to their fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. All the people responded with love for God, worship, and praise. Their hope was in the knowledge that the Lord hadn t forgotten them and He was preparing for their release. D. Moses & Pharaoh The First Time: This would make a great movie. Actually, I think its been done, but picture the scene. Here is Moses, the son of the princess of Egypt, but probably no longer looking the part, as well as his brother Aaron, a Hebrew slave, standing in the great throne room before the Pharaoh. 2 Walton, John H. and Victor H. Matthews, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, Genesis - Deuteronomy, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 1997, p. 90. 3 Ibid. ) 54 (
Moses and Aaron came to the King with God s message. The first was not a demand for the freedom from slavery. It was simply a request to go into the wilderness in order to offer a sacrifice to the Lord, a request for the freedom of worship. Remember, the Lord told Moses what Pharaoh s reaction would be. Pharaoh said Who is this God anyway? I don t know Him. He has no authority in Egypt. Forget it Moses. Aaron expanded on their words to the King. He told Pharaoh the God of the Hebrews had met with them and instructed the people to go into the wilderness, a three day march, to offer up a sacrifice. Aaron adds something we have not heard before. If the people didn t sacrifice they were in danger of God s judgment. Keep in mind there as no priesthood in Israel yet. Parenthetically remember, Christians are all members of the priesthood of believers you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5 ESV). Consequently, we are also called to sacrifice the sacrifice of praise and worship. If we fail to fulfill that privilege, that duty, we too suffer for we lose the joy that is available to us as believers. Too often we go to the Father only when we are in need. We miss all that comes from a time with God, a time spent simply in recognition of who He is and how much He has already done for us by providing our salvation. We also often forget the responsibility of intercessory prayer for others because we are so caught up with self concern. What are some of the ways you have exercised your priestly role? Meanwhile, Pharaoh was getting fed up with the whole subject, so he changed it. He accused the two of interfering with his slaves work, which they were. Apparently, Moses and Aaron had held a number of meetings with the people to tell them God s words. Pharaoh used this to justify his next decision. E. Pharaoh s Response to Moses: And to reinforce his point Pharaoh wanted to make sure the people didn t have the time to slack off. At the same time I suspect he felt his action would undermine Moses and Aaron s ability to get the people to listen to them, which sadly was an accurate assessment. Pharaoh sent instructions to his slave drivers and foremen to make the job of the slaves even more difficult. They were no longer to receive any straw for making bricks. If they had to gather straw as well as produce at the same level as previously, they certainly would not have the time to listen to the ramblings of two crazes. Pharaoh s idea wasn t a bad one either, except it didn t take into consideration God s involvement. So the new schedule was carried out. The slave drivers passed on the instructions to the Hebrew foreman. The people were forced to chase all over the land to find enough stubble to make bricks. Then when the people couldn t comply with production standards they are beaten. The Hebrew officers, those made overseers, went to the King to complain of the new situation, and his response was I don t care. You have to keep up production. ) 55 (
Consequently, the people went to Moses and Aaron, complaining that their words had caused the Pharaoh to make their situation even more ugly. They blamed Moses and Aaron for all their problems. How soon they forgot God s promises. How often it seems problems drive out promises. So let s not be too critical of these men for their forgetfulness. We also fall into the same trap. If things don t go as we think they should we often forget that the Lord loves us, that he wants what is best for us, and most importantly, He knows what is best for us, something we often don t. As a result we ve been known to react in anger saying: What have you done for me lately? This is a problem we will constantly see with these people. We should from them that we must trust the Lord in all things. I m going to assume Aaron warned the people that Pharaoh wasn t going to immediately allow them to go, that is was going to take time. This being the case they shouldn t have expected anything different. We also shouldn t be surprised when we find ourselves up against a wall because of our faith. Jesus warned us of this danger. If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me (John 15:18 21 ESV). Contrary to the teaching of some we also shouldn t be surprised if our life isn t a bed of roses. We are called to service, not comfort, as the Lord said of Himself: Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head For he [God] makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust (Matthew 8:20, 5:45 ESV). Yet, we seemed surprised when life doesn t go the way we think it should. Why do you think this is? What can we do to be better prepared for the reality of the trials of life? Nevertheless, we can understand the people s disappointment. They were looking for the promised freedom. Instead it appears things have simply gotten worse. One thing we tend to frequently overlook is, the Lord works in His own time and His own way. But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness (Psalms 69:13 ESV). F. God s Response to Moses: Moses is also upset by the turn of events. While he shouldn t have expect Pharaoh to free the people, he certainly didn t expect what did happen. The peo- ) 56 (
ple came to Moses complaining. Consequently, he went to God with the complaint. One wonders how much of Moses problem was related to the fact that what happened made him look bad. He said, not only had the burden of the people gotten worse, but God you haven t freed them yet. Moses should have known better, but the pressure being put on him was causing him to lose his confidence in the Lord. He was looking at the waves rather than God. I suspect that some of our greatest pressures come from our concern how others see us rather than the reality of our situation. Often, on our own, we seem to be able to depend on the Lord. But when someone puts the pressure on us, Why is God putting you through this?, we get embarrassed and turn around and say, Why God? Moses constantly got in trouble because of his reactions to the weakness of the people. God did not get angry at Moses at this point for His doubt but simply tells him what He intended to do. He reassured Moses that because of who He is the time was coming when the Pharaoh would let the people go. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4 ESV). In fact, the Lord noted that not only will the King let the people go but he would actually drive them out because of His acts. God once again reminded Moses who He is; the God of the Covenant; the God of his fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God had heard the cries of the people and as He promised in the Covenant, He was prepared to free the people from their sufferings. One reason we fail in our walk is we forget who God is. We take Him for granted. This is the reason we constantly need to study the Word, so as not to lose sight of God s Majesty and Power, the Creator of all things, the One who has provided the way for our Salvation. Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand (Psalms 95:1 7 ESV) Having comforted Moses, the Lord sent him to reassure the people. The message was the same. God is their God and He would free them from Pharaoh s hands. What was even more important in the message was the promise of a relationship between God and the people. He was their God and they would know this because He would free them. He again reminded them He would do this because of the promise He had made to their fathers. Unfortunately, when Moses took this message to the people they didn t want to hear it. They were discouraged because of circumstances. Aren t there times when a brother or sister comes to us with words of encouragement and we simply don t want to hear them? Well the ) 57 (
people feel the same way. So God sent Moses to Pharaoh again. And Moses, being discouraged himself, didn t believe the King would listen if the people wouldn t. It is on this note of discouragement that Moses ends this section of his account. The next is a recap of all that has occurred prior to the record of the plagues that fall on Egypt. Conclusion: I think the probably the best thing we can take from this section is, the same Lord who loved the Hebrews, providing for their salvation, is the one who loves us and provided our salvation. He is the one who watches over us and looks out for our needs. We must never use circumstances as a thermometer identifying where we are in God s will. Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you (Luke 12:27 31 ESV). Like Moses, we too have to learn to trust God s words, even when circumstances would seem to tell us not to. Will He Slight Thy Faint Crying? Sparrow, He guardeth thee; Never a flight but thy wings He upholdeth Never a night but thy rest He enfoldeth; Safely He guardeth thee. Lily, He robeth thee; Though thou must fade, by the Summer bemoaned, Thou art arrayed, fair as monarch enthroned Spotless He robeth thee. Hear, thou of little faith; Sparrow and lily are soulless and dying; Deathless art thou, will He slight thy faint crying! Trust, thou of little faith! ROBERT GILBERT WELSH 4 4 McClure, editor, J. B., Pearls from Many Seas, The Master Christian Library, AGES Software, Albany, OR, Version 8.0 2000. ) 58 (
Exodus Trust and Obey, For There is NO Other Way! 5:1-6:12 VII. The Return of Moses D. Moses & Pharaoh The First Time Verses 1-5 E. Pharaoh s Response to Moses Verses 6-21 F. God s Response to Moses Chapters 5:22-6:12 Introduction: (Psalm 69:13; 1 John 2:3 6) D. Moses & Pharaoh The First Time: (1 Peter 2:5) E. Pharaoh s Response to Moses: (John 15:18 21; Matthew 8:20; Matthew 5:45; Psalms 69:13)
F. God s Response to Moses: (1 John 4:4; Psalms 95:1 7) Conclusion: (Luke 12:27 31) Personal Application: When have you fallen into the trap of using circumstances as a way of assessing whether you are or are not in God s will? How has the worked out? What can/should you do different? Prayer for the Week: Lord, help me to trust in Your promises rather than my wisdom. In Christ s name, amen.