2BC BIBLE STUDY NOTES
Wednesday in the Word
Second Baptist Church
April 26, 2017
Exodus 5:22-6:8
On last week we studied how Moses made his first trip to request that Pharaoh let the Hebrews go on a three day journey to worship in the wilderness. Things didn't go very well which is exactly what God said would happen in chapter 3:18-20. Pharaoh was incensed that Moses would even make such a request and he proceeded to make things extremely difficult for the Israelites. Pharaoh commanded the slave drivers and overseers to make the slaves get their own straw to make bricks and maintain the daily regular quota of bricks. This was nearly impossible. Things went from bad to worse. Moses was initially reluctant to take on this assignment from God and now he is facing not only the rejection by Pharaoh, his own people now blame him for their hardship. This was the plan by the oppressive Pharaoh to pull support away from the liberating message of Moses. The elders of the Hebrews condemned Moses and sternly placed the blame on him for their horrible situation.
Verses 22-23. After Moses leaves the elders feeling rejected and embarrassed, he goes to God and proceeds to question God about his motives and methods. Moses made the mistake many of us do in ministry. Moses assumed that things would be simple and straightforward in spite of the fact that God said it wouldn't. Many of us just assume, that once we get an assignment from God, we are free from rejection, disappointment, and trouble. Moses was initially received warmly by the people with his message of liberation and deliverance. Now the same people are angry with him and blame him for their trouble. Now Moses feels that the very people he said he came to help must think that he was delusional and a fraud. Too often the work of God and the ministry of God is filled with tough moments. Moses is feeling the heat and he blames God. Notice what he says. Moses says “WHY LORD, WHY DID YOU BRING TROUBLE ON THIS PEOPLE?” Notice that Moses blames God for the trouble, Pharaoh was the one who was doing them wrong, but Moses blames God. Moses accuses God of bringing him back to cause the people more trouble. Sometimes in our moments of despair we say some crazy things. Moses even states that God is late and has failed to deliver on his promise of liberation. How many times have we accused God of failing to deliver on his promise of deliverance? Moses tells God that he is slow with keeping his word. Wow, Moses is expressing to God his frustration with the process. To Moses this doesn’t make any sense, but what Moses doesn't know is that God's plan never makes much sense to us who are limited in our perspective of God's bigger purpose. God's plan from the beginning was to punish Pharaoh for his harsh treatment, and deliver the people in such a way to build up their faith. Pharaoh would be a witness against himself before God distributed justice. Pharaoh had a chance to do right, but he would not, and he would even do more to condemn himself. And at the same time the people of God would see the mighty hand of God. You do know God lets some situations get worse so you can see just how great HIS hand is to deliver.
Chapter 6 verse 1. God responds to Moses in a way that I might not have. I would have had to get Moses straight for his insubordination and his utter disrespect to God, but God is not like us. God can take your disappointment and redirect you to his purpose and his plan. God responds to Moses and lets him know that everyone will see just how great God is and in the process Pharaoh himself will tell the people to leave the country. God basically tells Moses that I am going to make it so hard on your oppressor that they will assist you in being delivered from them. Pharaoh's resistance of a three day retreat will now turn into him demanding that the slaves leave for good. Sometimes the very person holding you back will be the person that has to bless you later.
Verses 2-5. God tells Moses that HE is about to reveal himself in a way that he hasn't before. God first revealed himself as the LORD/God almighty. This speaks to God being a powerful provider. Now he will show himself as the LORD/the great I AM. This name speaks to the one who is all encompassing. There is nothing that this God is not. HE IS the I AM. He is everything. God tells Moses that he and the people haven’t seen anything yet. He also tells Moses that he will keep his promise and he has heard their cries. God is compassionate and faithful. Moses accused God not being compassionate and not being faithful, but God is going to prove that those accusations were baseless. God has not forgotten, and God has the power to turn things around. God is so big, that we often times don't fully know God until God has to reveal himself in other ways. Many of us will never know him as a healer until we get sick. Many of us will never know him as a deliverer until we get in a bind. But the good news is God can be what we need in any situation. God is letting Moses know that he is about to be just what the Israelites need.
Verses 6-8. God tells Moses to go back to the people and deliver a message of Hope. God tells Moses seven “I will” statements to share with the people what God will do. These I will statements are also a picture of being delivered from sin.
I will bring you out from under the burden of Egypt. God will take the heavy weight of Pharaoh off of them. Just like Egypt held God's people, Israel, under heavy burden, we live in a world that, if we aren't watchful, will keep us under heavy burdens as well: Burdens of sin, Burdens of worry and Burdens of debt.
I will rid you out of their bondage. It is possible to let go of the burden but still be in bondage. Burden: That which is carried as a load. Bondage: involuntary servitude - being externally controlled.
I will redeem you with an outstretched arm. This means to give you worth again.
I will take you to me for a people. This is a promise to provide and protect.
I will be your God. You will serve me now, not Pharaoh.
I will bring you unto the land concerning that which I did swear to give it to Abraham, Isaac, and to Jacob. I will keep my promises.
I will give it to you for an inheritance.
All of these “l will” statements are a reminder that God is faithful, powerful and compassionate. God not only wants to save you, he wants to bless you and lead you to serve HIM with all your heart.
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