Exodus 5

From Theologica

Moses' first meeting with Pharaoh/Israel's labor increased (5:1 - 5:23) Observation - - 5:1 Moses and Aaron first meeting w/ Pharaoh - They present him with the command of God, "Let My people go!" - Moses and Aaron were faithful in following God's instructions by first going to the people and then to Pharaoh. - God correctly "predicted" Pharaoh's obstinance. - 5:2 "Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice...?" Pharaoh's question. - Pharaoh's first statement is understandable. If anyone were in the same position, they would respond in like manner. - Neither Moses nor Aaron provided any proof to God's existence and power so there is really nothing to incline Pharaoh to believe them. - Pharaoh's second statement, however, is more disturbing. By saying "and besides, I will not let Israel go." it seems that he is stating he would continue to be obstinate even if he did believe in the Lord. He admits that he would put his own desires and purposes above those of God. Perhaps he believes himself to be a god. - 5:3 Moses and Aaron continue their plea, requesting to be allowed to go a three days' journey in order to worship. - They "support" their request with the statement that God might be angry with Israel if they do not. - 5:4-5 Pharaoh refuses, asking "Why do you draw the people away from their work?" - Pharaoh's focus is on his building projects - Pharaoh states that the people "are many" - Accuses Moses of wanting to have the people cease their labors - Pharaoh's assumption is that Moses and Aaron are trying to hinder him and draw the people away. He does not even seem to seriously consider that they might be telling the truth. His mind is on the world and his accomplishments; he doesn't consider for a moment other alternatives. - 5:6-9 Pharaoh commands the labor to be increased and adds hindrances to Israel's being able to accomplish it. - He states that it is because Israel is lazy that they cry out. Again this is an indication that he did not recognize spiritual possibilities. He probably did consider Israel to be lazy. - By increasing the labor he hoped to stop further delays. The people would have no time to listen to Moses, they would get frustrated with him, and they would be too tired to do anything. - 5:10-11 The people are given the bad news - 5:12 The people look for straw to use - 5:13 The taskmasters (Egyptians) pressure the people to complete their quotas in spite of the missing straw - 5:14 The foremen (Israelites) were beaten because of the failure to meet the quotas - 5:15-16 The foremen cry out to Pharaoh about the harshness of his treatment of them. - Previously Israel cried out to the Lord, now they are crying out to Pharaoh - The foremen justify themselves and their failure. - 5:17-18 Pharaoh repeats that he believes Israel to be lazy. - He does not think they really want to worship God, he thinks they are just lazy - Pharaoh repeats that they must meet their quota in spite of the lack of straw - 5:19 The foremen recognize their predicament - 5:20 Moses and Aaron were waiting to meet the foremen when they [the foremen] left Pharaoh's presence. - 5:21 The foremen blame Moses and Aaron for their troubles - Furthermore they are worried about how they appear to Pharaoh less than God - They are more worried about what Pharaoh and his men will do than what God will do. - 5:22-23 - Moses questions God's reasoning for sending Him. - He didn't see an immediate action by God or reaction by the people or Pharaoh and wonders why God is allowing it to happen this way. - Moses does however recognize that God promised to deliver his people.

Interpretation - - Questioning God's call - God called Moses. He called him for a specific purpose to fulfill a specific plan. - Moses' responsibility was not to fulfill the God's plan, but to be obedient to His calling, which Moses was. He got into trouble, however, when he began to question God's purposes in calling him. - God's timing and our timing - God stated only that he would deliver His people. He did not state the timetable by which He would work. Moses assumed that God was not working because immediate results did not happen.

Application - - What has God called me to do? To teach. - I'm impatient about not teaching because I know it's what I'm called to do and it's what I want to do. - Currently it is not in God's plan for me to be teaching. I must therefore be preparing to teach.