Highlights:

Step by step the battle intensifies as Pharaoh brashly questions: Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice? (Ex. 5:2). Aaron speaks for Moses; Moses' rod turned into a snake; the plague of blood.

God commanded Moses to face the Pharaoh of Egypt, who referred to himself as a god, and say: Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let My people go, that they may hold (celebrate) a feast unto Me in the wilderness. And Pharaoh said, who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice . . . ?

I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go (Ex. 5:1-2).

Moses' immediate reaction was to blame God, saying: Wherefore hast Thou so evil entreated (brought harm to) this people? why is it that Thou hast sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Thy Name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast Thou delivered Thy people (5:22-23).

How often in life our questions far outnumber our answers: "Why have I been diagnosed with cancer? Why did my husband divorce me? Why did my child become a drug addict? Why was my child born with handicaps? Why did I lose my job? Why me?" God didn't answer Moses' questions, and seldom does He answer us in the way we expect.

When Moses cried out: "Why, Lord?," God first reminded him of who He is. And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the Lord (6:2), meaning: "I am the only Self-Existent God and the One who knows what is best. I am altogether sufficient to meet your needs." What is important for us to know is that God is the unchangeable, loving, Almighty, all-wise God of Truth. He promised Moses: I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage . . . I will take you to Me for a people, and I will be to you . . . your God (6:6-8).

Everyone is important to God. He is no respector of persons (Acts 10:34). After His seventh I will, He repeated for emphasis: I am the Lord (Ex. 6:8). God has never once failed to keep His Word. His promises are fulfilled when our life is in harmony with His Word. Consequently, it is seldom as soon as we expect, and almost never in the way we think best.

Pharaoh persisted in keeping the Israelites under his cruel authority. However, as had been foretold, the judgment of God was poured forth on each false Egyptian deity, and, eventually, on Pharaoh himself and his armies. To day . . . hear His voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation (provoking Me), in the day of temptation (testing) in the wilderness. . . . I was grieved with that generation (Heb. 3:7-8,10).

Thought for Today:

The Lord is my Shepherd (to feed, guide, and protect me); I shall not want (He provides all my needs) (Ps. 23:1).

Christ Revealed:

As the Redeemer from the bondage of sin. I am the Lord, and I will bring you out . . . I will redeem you (Ex. 6:6). Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things . . . But with the precious blood of Christ (I Pet. 1:18-19).

Word Studies:

5:4 let distract; 5:8 tale daily quota; 5:9 vain words deceitful promises; 5:13 hasted dept driving; 5:19 in evil case in trouble; minish reduce; 5:21 savour good will; 5:22 evil entreated afflicted; 6:3 God Almighty all Sufficient, All Powerful God; 6:6 with a stretched out arm mightily; 6:9 hearkened not refused to listen; 6:13 charge command; 7:11 enchantments witchcraft; 7:15 brink edge; against he come waiting for him; 7:23 neither did he set his heart he ignored.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for Staff: Benjamin Wallace • Country: San Marino (25,000) inside north-central Italy • Major language: Italian • Religious freedom • 95% Roman Catholic; 5% atheist • Prayer Suggestion: Do not worry about your material needs (Matt. 6:25-30).

Optional Reading: Matthew 19

Memory Verse for the Week: Proverbs 28:9