Exodus 5:1-14

Do you have perseverance? When G-d has called you to something are you willing to suffer and endure through opposition? Are you someone who is learning how to overcome?

v1 Afterward –After Moses and Aaron had spoken to the elders and the people they believed and committed themselves to the will of G-d -they did not realise that their commitment was going to be challenged in the days ahead of them.

· Told Pharoah – They were obedient and did what G-d had instructed them to do.

· G-d of Israel: Pharaoh didn’t know who this was.

· Feast…in the wilderness: An empty place. To go into the wilderness stated your dependence and trust in G-d.

v2: Pharoah was not going to obey the order of someone he knew nothing about. That is ok. G-d was going to faithfully reveal Himself to Pharoah (and the Egyptians) so that they too had an opportunity to repent. G-d met Pharaoh where he was at. He introduced Himself to Pharaoh in an undeniable way – through signs and wonders.

v3 When G-d meets us things (purpose, perspective etc) change.

· Please: A term of respect

A 3 day journey into the wilderness meant at least a 6 day journey (3 in and 3 out again). This would have been a logistical nightmare. G-d had called these people to dependence and trust (Many, thinking in the flesh, would have considered this a suicide mission).

· Sacrifice: G-d had called them to celebrate (associated with great joy) in the wilderness. True joy or celebration (true worship) requires sacrifice.

· Pestilence…sword (implies war): Pharoah is being warned that bad things will happen if he doesn’t submit.

v4: Labour: suffering. The purpose, primarily, for this work was to make the people suffer. Pharoah wanted them to suffer. G-d wanted them to celebrate.

v5 Look/Behold: Pharoah is giving his rationale for making the people work.

· Rest: G-d wants to give His people rest. Serving Pharaoh rather than serving G-d brings about a foolish suffering.

v6 “the same day” is written in Hebrew as “in that day’ – usually a reference to judgement day. Pharoah brought his judgement to the people on that day.

v7: The Hebrews were building storage cities for Pharoah. Now they were being giving additional work – on top of their already heavy workload. This was a severe punishment.

v8 The fact that the Hebrews even have time to think about going into the wilderness means that they had too much time on their hands, as far as Pharoah was concerned.

v9: In Pharoah’s mind he saw the Word of G-d as false – fake news.

v10 -13 Pharoah’s words are put into action and the people were pressured to work faster and harder.

v14 The suffering of the people increased. If we do not submit to G-d the enemy is going to put over us those who will afflict us, discourage us, make us anxious, put pressure on us to do more and more until we feel like we have no time to do anything else except blindingly obey these false (or minor) authorities in our lives. When G-d is our Master our perspective changes (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). Even though we might temporarily have to submit to some of these things we can still find peace and rest in the midst of trials and tribulation.