Series Introduction: 

This morning, we’ll continue our sermon series on the Book of Exodus, an account that continues to speak powerfully to us today about God's ability to deliver and transform His people. In Exodus 1, we saw a new Pharaoh who did not know Joseph coming to power in Egypt. Viewing the Israelites as a threat due to their increasing numbers, he imposed harsh slavery upon them in an attempt to control them. Yet, the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied, leading Pharaoh to decree even more severe measures against them.

Exodus 2 introduced us to Moses, born into this world of oppression, but providentially saved and raised in Pharaoh’s own household. Despite his royal upbringing, Moses could not ignore the plight of his people. His early attempt to defend an Israelite leads to a hasty retreat into the wilderness of Midian, where he encounters God in an extraordinary way at the burning bush in Exodus 3. Here, God reveals His name, and commissions Moses to go back to Egypt to lead His people to freedom.  By Exodus 4, Moses, equipped with God’s promises and miraculous signs, returns to Egypt with his brother Aaron.  

Today, as we delve into Exodus 5, we see Moses and Aaron making their first appeal to Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. Pharaoh's heart is hard, and not only does he refuse, but he also increases the Israelites' burdens, leading to great despair among the people. 

Scripture Reading:

Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.’” But Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.” Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God, lest he fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.” But the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people away from their work? Get back to your burdens.” And Pharaoh said, “Behold, the people of the land are now many, and you make them rest from their burdens!” The same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their foremen, “You shall no longer give the people straw to make bricks, as in the past; let them go and gather straw for themselves. But the number of bricks that they made in the past you shall impose on them, you shall by no means reduce it, for they are idle. Therefore they cry, ‘Let us go and offer sacrifice to our God.’ Let heavier work be laid on the men that they may labor at it and pay no regard to lying words.”

So the taskmasters and the foremen of the people went out and said to the people, “Thus says Pharaoh, ‘I will not give you straw. Go and get your straw yourselves wherever you can find it, but your work will not be reduced in the least.’” So the people were scattered throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw. The taskmasters were urgent, saying, “Complete your work, your daily task each day, as when there was straw.” And the foremen of the people of Israel, whom Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten and were asked, “Why have you not done all your task of making bricks today and yesterday, as in the past?”

Then the foremen of the people of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, “Why do you treat your servants like this? No straw is given to your servants, yet they say to us, ‘Make bricks!’ And behold, your servants are beaten; but the fault is in your own people.” But he said, “You are idle, you are idle; that is why you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.’ Go now and work. No straw will be given you, but you must still deliver the same number of bricks.” The foremen of the people of Israel saw that they were in trouble when they said, “You shall by no means reduce your number of bricks, your daily task each day.” They met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting for them, as they came out from Pharaoh; and they said to them, “The Lord look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.” (Exodus 5:1-21)

Introduction

In today's sermon, we will explore the first clash between God's divine command and Pharaoh's stubborn will. These scriptures lay bare the hardness of man's heart and the harsh realities of obeying God. They encourage us to ponder how we would react when faced with the Pharaohs of our modern world. Will we stand strong in our faith in the face of persecution, or will we succumb to the world's pressures and remain silent in the face of wickedness and injustice? 

Opening Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we gather here today in Your name, seeking wisdom and strength from Your Holy Word. As we delve into the account of Moses, Aaron, and their confrontation with Pharaoh, open our hearts to the lessons You have for us. Teach us to understand the complexities of obeying Your commands in the face of opposition and to recognize the power of Your will over all earthly authorities. Help us to see Your hand at work in our lives, guiding us through trials and strengthening our faith. Let Your Spirit move among us, that we may leave here today more equipped to stand firm in our faith and proclaim, "Thus says the Lord" in every aspect of our lives. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

The Demand for Release (Exodus 5:1)

In Exodus 5:1, we witness Moses and Aaron confronting Pharaoh with a divine command from the Lord. They declare, 

"Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, 'Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.'" (Exodus 5:1, ESV). 

This was not a request to celebrate a religious festival; it was a command, "Thus says the Lord," requiring Pharaoh to free the Israelites to worship God and acknowledge God's supreme claim over His people. It is also crucial to understand that during this time, making demands of Pharaoh was unheard of. From the Egyptian perspective, Pharaoh was like a god among men, and his will was absolute.

"Thus says the Lord" (Exodus 5:1, ESV), and Pharaoh's response of "Thus says Pharaoh" (Exodus 5:10, ESV) reveals that what was about to take place is a contest of wills between the God of Israel and the self-proclaimed god-king of Egypt. The central question behind the conflict is this: "Who is the legitimate Lord of Israel?"

Hear the defiant words spoken by Pharaoh to Moses:

 "Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and moreover, I will not let Israel go" (Exodus 5:2, ESV)

Pharaoh’s words vividly illustrate the brazen rebellion of human will against the sovereignty of God. This audacious statement encapsulates a fundamental human condition: the resistance against divine authority, a theme that is as relevant today as it was in the time of Moses.

Throughout scripture, we see that such defiance against God’s commands is not unique to Pharaoh. It is a recurrent pattern that underscores the rebellious nature of human hearts. The Bible teaches us in Romans 3:23 that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Lest we forget, sin manifests not just as wrongful actions but also as resistance to acknowledging and submitting to God’s rule.

When faced with challenges to biblical authority, we must not allow ourselves to be always placed on the defensive. God's Word can hold up to any honest examination, but where did we get the idea that we were meant to constantly play defense? Instead of letting them mock God's Word, we should challenge the foundation and authority of their ideologies. By what standard are they standing on? Why should we trust their word instead of God's Word? So many modern philosophies derive their standards from societal norms or human opinion, which are unstable and temporary, unlike God's Word. Cemeteries are filled with philosophers, kings, and conquerors who thought their twisted ideology had put the nail in the Christian coffin, but here we are. 

The Apostle Paul warned us in his letter to the church at Colossi:

"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8, ESV)

You can travel the world and find relics of temples and shrines of pagan deities whose worshippers thought would stand forever, but where are they now? Empires rose and fell and rose and fell again, but the Kingdom of God kept marching on. The Egyptian Empire, the Amalekites, the Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, the Cannanite Nations, the Babylonians, the Assyrians, the Persians, the Greeks and Romans, the Mongolians, the Ottomans, the Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphates, Napoleon, Hitler, Stalin, and Mao all had their day. They are all dead and buried and remembered in history books. Yet the people of God are still here. We are still singing praises to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We are still celebrating our risen King Jesus, whose tomb is empty, whose throne is unassailable, and whose kingdom will have no end. I know there are some anxieties about this upcoming presidential election, but let me tell you, God is not sweating over who is in the White House. God does not need the president, the Congress, the Senate, or the American People to accomplish His will on earth. We can get on board, or we can stand in the way and get run over, but the Kingdom of God marches on. 

As the Apostle Peter reminds us;

 "All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever." (1 Peter 1:24-25, ESV).

So when they scoff at the Word of God and accuse you of standing on an ancient faith, declare proudly that you will stand on the solid rock that has never been shaken, then look them in the eye and ask them "where are you standing?"

Pharaoh's Defiance and the Increase of Burdens

As Moses and Pharaoh clash, we must remember that this is not just a dispute between two human leaders; it's a fundamental clash between divine command and man's rebellion. Pharaoh is so offended at the challenge to his authority that he punishes the Israelites by placing even harsher work conditions for them. They must now gather their straw for brick-making while meeting the same production quotas. Pharaoh wanted to use a tactic that the enemy often employs against God’s people, they turn the people against the very people God sent to help them.

For Moses and Aaron, this escalation is also a test of their leadership and faith in God's promises. They confront not only external opposition from Pharaoh but also internal grumbling from their own people, who see their burdens multiply rather than diminish. This grumbling against leadership is sadly a recurring theme throughout scripture. 

The path of righteousness and salvation is often a difficult journey, and it is not without setbacks, trials, and persecutions. Oftentimes, it gets harder before it gets easier. When the trials mount, there is often a temptation to wonder if something has gone wrong. When things get difficult, many people will look for someone to blame, and sadly, they frequently turn their blame towards the leadership, even when the leadership is only doing what God called them to do. 

As your pastor, I understand that there may be times when I fall short of your expectations. But I want to assure you that I am continually growing and learning, just like you. There will also be moments when circumstances beyond my control make things difficult for us. Jesus himself warned us of the challenges that we will face.

"In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33, ESV). 

 When the temptation to grumble against me arises, as I know it will, I humbly ask for your prayers. And I promise to do the same for you. 

Following God's path may not always lead to immediate peace or comfort, rather it often leads to greater challenges that God ultimately uses to refine and define our faith. Ultimately, we must remain steadfast in the face of adversity and trust in His plan for us. As we face our own 'Pharaohs,' we are reminded that God uses even the hardest circumstances to shape us, test our faith, and manifest His glory and deliverance.

As the Apostle Paul reminded the church in Rome: 

"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." (Romans 5:3-5, ESV). 

Moses’ Lament and Appeal to God (Exodus 5:20-21)

Moses' anguished plea to God in Exodus 5:22, "O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me?" is a moment of deep uncertainty and despair. It seves as a reminder of the universal struggle that many believers face when obedience leads to greater hardship instead of immediate relief. His questions to God are raw and honest, reflecting the vulnerability that is inherent in true leadership. This moment in Scripture provides not only a glimpse into Moses’ inner turmoil but also serves as a validation for all who have felt overwhelmed in their divine callings.

Historically, many of God's servants have traversed this dark night of the soul. God’s Word is filled with stories of prophets and leaders who, despite their faithfulness, encountered severe trials. Elijah, after a significant victory at Mount Carmel, fled into the wilderness, overwhelmed by fear and despair, even asking God to take his life (1 Kings 19:4). Likewise, Jeremiah, called the weeping prophet, often expressed feelings of lamentation and doubt about the impact of his ministry in the face of the constant rejection and persecution he faced (Jeremiah 20:7-18).

Even the Apostle Paul was no stranger to suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11:24-28, Paul lists the physical and emotional hardships he endured in spreading the gospel. Yet, he understood these sufferings as a means to demonstrate the sufficiency of God's grace, famously stating in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." This profound principle underscores that moments of despair, like those of Moses, are not merely to be endured but embraced as opportunities for divine grace to manifest more fully. God’s callings are often accompanied by challenges, designed not to break us but to forge a deeper reliance on God’s strength and wisdom. Faithfulness is not devoid of suffering; rather, suffering is a component of God’s refining process for those He calls.

In our own lives, when we encounter difficulties that cause us to echo Moses' despairing question, "Why, Lord?" we are reminded that these trials are not without purpose; each challenge is an opportunity to witness God's power working through our weaknesses, transforming our doubts into deeper faith and greater spiritual wisdom.

Was Moses wrong for bringing his doubts and grief to the Lord? No. In fact, the opposite is true. By openly bringing our doubts and fears before God, just as Moses did, we engage in a genuine dialogue with our Creator. I truly believe that moments of doubt and times of questioning are not signs of weak faith but are part of the fabric of a faith that is deeply engaged with the realities of life. They push us to deeper dependence on God, reminding us that our strength comes not from our understanding of every circumstance but from our reliance on Him, who is sovereign over all.  As James, the brother of Jesus, wrote: 

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4, ESV).

Closing Prayer: 

Father God, thank You for Your Word, which has spoken to us today about perseverance, faith, and Your sovereign power. Thank You for the example of Moses and Aaron, who, despite immense challenges, trusted in Your promises and followed Your commands. As we go out into the world this week, embolden us to face our modern-day Pharaohs with the courage and conviction that comes from knowing You are with us. May we remember that the trials we endure are not in vain but are part of Your divine plan to shape us and reveal Your glory. Strengthen our faith, Lord, and help us to rely not on our understanding but on Your eternal promises. We ask for Your guidance to persevere through every trial and for the grace to trust in Your perfect will. We pray for the peace that surpasses all understanding to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. In His mighty name, we pray, Amen.