Read Exodus 5 – 7 

Highlights:

Pharaoh brashly questions: Who is the LORD (5:2)? God reveals Himself through specific object lessons — the ten plagues. God faithfully fulfills His promise to Abraham (6:6; 15:13-14). Egyptians in a river of blood.

And Moses returned to the LORD, and said, Lord wherefore hast Thou so evil entreated 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 at all (Ex. 5:22-23).

Instead of freeing the Israelites from slavery, it seemed that their pain and suffering had increased because of Moses and Aaron. Whenever God is ready to do something through us for others, there often is a breaking before there is a making. Moses and Aaron not only experienced ridicule and resistance from Pharaoh, but they were criticized by those whom they attempted to liberate from slavery. That was truly a test.

One would think that the Israelites would be thankful to be set free from their 400 years of slavery. They had the knowledge that God would be by their side the entire time. Instead, they criticized Moses and Aaron, accusing them of having increased their burdens and of turning the Egyptians against them. However, in faith, Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them (7:6). The Israelites had an outward need to be freed from slavery but they had an inward need to exercise faith in the Word of God. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God (Heb. 11:13). Humanly speaking, most would not choose to have to endure suffering. But God has said, Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). Like the Israelites, some Christians complain rather than seek to obey the will of God.

Once God begins to move in our lives to free us from sin or to use us to witness to others, Satan attempts to frustrate God's purposes and discourage the child of faith from fulfilling the will of God. The Apostle Paul wrote: If so be that we suffer with Him that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Rom. 8:17-18).

Like Moses, the servant of God, you should seek to persuade others to unconditionally give their hearts and lives to the Lord. He delights to see his Savior glorified in the eyes of others.

And He said to them all, if any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple (Luke 9:23; 14:27).

Thought for Today:

Don't be surprised when Satan comes against you when you begin to serve the Lord.

Christ Revealed:

As the Redeemer from the bondage of sin. 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 (1 Pet. 1:18-19).

Word Studies:

5:8 tale, quota; 5:9 vain words, worthless promises of Moses; 5:11 not ought, none; 5:13 hasted, kept driving; 5:19 minish, make fewer in number; 5:21 made our savour to be abhorred, made us offensive; 7:15 against he come, waiting to meet him.

Prayer Suggestion: Watch and pray that you may be worthy to stand before the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 21:36).

Optional Reading: Matthew 19

Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 100:3