Reaction to Increased Persecution

Exodus 5:22-6:9

Moses was concerned that perhaps he had caused more harm when he saw the impact on the people. Great leaders are aware of the pain their actions may cause. Selfish leaders are concerned only with accomplishing their goals. Years of herding sheep had taught Moses the need for considering the fears and needs of his flock. When he had first tried to help them forty years before, he was too impatient to make changes to consider the effects of his actions.

“And Moses returned unto 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.” (Exodus 5:22-23)

Though God had warned Moses “…but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go,” in Exodus 4:21, Moses had not expected what happened. Israel hadn’t been delivered and their situation had gotten worse rather than better. God knew exactly what he was doing. Israel would not be willing to leave the safety of Egypt and trust God until it became unbearable to stay. People tend to stick with the familiar in an attempt to avoid pain until forced to accept change.

“Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.” ((Exodus 6:1)

For four hundred years, Israel had lived in Egypt, depending on the Egyptian system for their survival. Like most Christians today, they had never been conscious that it was God who provided their daily needs, making the crops grow and preventing the Egyptians from killing them. God would use Pharaoh’s rebellion to show Israel his power and develop trust. He would cause Pharaoh to drive them out so they would have no choice but to trust Him.

“And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD: And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them. And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers. And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.” (Exodus 6:2-5)

Seeing Moses distress, God revealed himself to Moses in a way he had not even revealed himself to the Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They had never known him by the name Jehovah, yet God had established a covenant with them, beginning in Genesis 12, more than six hundred fifty years before. Genesis 15:6 tells us Abram “…believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” Clearly knowing the name Jehovah is not essential to be saved or to serve God, as some teach.

“Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.” (Exodus 6:6-7)

The covenant God made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had been passed down to his heirs, and God reminded Moses that he hadn’t forgotten it either. He was even more aware of their suffering than Moses. It is easy for us to feel that he isn’t aware of what we are experiencing, or that he doesn’t really care. He was going to fulfill his promise, although things would get worse for a while. The things that happened would convince them of God’s power and love for them.

“And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the LORD.” (Exodus 6:8)

Eventually they would claim the land God had promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for their own, because God never breaks his promise. As Titus 1:2 tells us, God cannot lie, and he doesn’t change, according to Malachi 3:6.

“And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.” (Exodus 6:9)

While Moses was reassured by God’s promise, the people were not. They were unable or unwilling to look beyond their misery to trust God.. Many times we try to advise people but their focus on their problems prevents seeing what is available. That will only change as God reveals his power to them. We cannot force it.

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Go in, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land. And Moses spake before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?” (Exodus 6:10-12)

When Israel refused to listen to what God had told him Moses was really discouraged. Why would Pharaoh listen to someone with no great religious standings when they said God said? He wouldn’t even be coming as the religious leader of the Jews, or having any formal recognition from some other organization. In today’s terms, he had not been ordained and had no doctorate to prove his qualifications. He had no evidence saying he was dedicated to God. God commanded them to go anyway.

“And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, and gave them a charge unto the children of Israel, and unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 6:13)