October 5, 2020
The book of Exodus tells the story of the birth of the nation of Israel fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham. From the seventy descendants of Jacob, Israel was fruitful and multiplied greatly until they filled the whole land of Egypt. After four centuries of slavery, God answers the cries of His people for deliverance. God raises up Moses for this calling, to lead his people out of bondage to a land of promise and deliverance.
Some of the greatest stories of the Bible are featured in Exodus—from the Ten Plagues, and the Passover, to the crossing of the Red Sea, and the establishment of the covenant at Mount Sinai. The Passover lamb, the exodus from the land of Egypt, the seven feasts, the tabernacle, and even the high priest, are all foreshadows of the ministry of Christ.
Chapters 1-18 contains the events leading up to God’s delivering the Hebrews from their captivity in Egypt, and chapters 19-40 shares the events in the wilderness and the account of God’s instructions to Moses on Mount Sinai to direct the life and worship of the nation.
Exodus 5
Making Bricks Without Straw
1 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.’” 2 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.” 3 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.” 4 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.” 5 And Pharaoh said, “Behold, the people of the land are now many, and you make them rest from their burdens!” 6 The same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their foremen, 7 “You shall no longer give the people straw to make bricks, as in the past; let them go and gather straw for themselves. 8 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.’ 9 Let heavier work be laid on the men that they may labor at it and pay no regard to lying words.”
10 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. 11 Go and get your straw yourselves wherever you can find it, but your work will not be reduced in the least.’” 12 So the people were scattered throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw. 13 The taskmasters were urgent, saying, “Complete your work, your daily task each day, as when there was straw.” 14 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?”
15 Then the foremen of the people of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, “Why do you treat your servants like this? 16 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.” 17 But he said, “You are idle, you are idle; that is why you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.’ 18 Go now and work. No straw will be given you, but you must still deliver the same number of bricks.” 19 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.” 20 They met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting for them, as they came out from Pharaoh; 21 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.”
22 Then Moses turned to the Lord and said, “O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me? 23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has done evil to this people, and you have not delivered your people at all.”
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Reflection:
- By who’s authority does Moses speak to Pharaoh? By who’s authority to we witness to God’s love and forgiveness?
- What are your thoughts about Pharaoh’s response to Moses and Aaron?
- How do you respond when your prayers do not seem to be answered right away?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, you have commanded me to be your witness to a lost world. Help me to be faithful to your calling to share the good news of the gospel to a world in desperate need. I pray that you will go before me to prepare hearts to receive your truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Dear Heavenly Father,
May I always pray in Your name before each day or task that lies before me for Your strength and courage . I can do nothing without You. But with You, all things are possible. I truly believe this, O Lord. Thank You fir Your love, power and grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Let’s Pray,
Father, you commanded Moses to speak to Pharaoh. But the king did not know you, as LORD of Lords and King of kings. Pharaoh refused to acknowledge you and listen to your servant, Moses.
Heavenly Father, you are the only Living God. Your will be done in heaven and on earth. Father, you are not a genie in a bottle to do as we command.
May we know and trust that you hear the prayers of your Saints. May we never doubt your love. Strengthen all your Saints to face life today. And tomorrow, if we are granted another day, strengthen us to face it and each day.
Oh Father, send each a new touch of your Holy Spirit. So many are sick, so many have financial problems, so many have family problems, Father, life is hard. Be close to each and let them know you care. Comfort each with your presence.
May our lives reflect you Son in all we do. Now, let’s be going to rescue on more wandering and lost soul.
For it is the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, that we pray.
Amen
Gracias padre porque eres potente tuya es la gloría y la misericordia gracias por hoy queremos estar en tu presencia padre celestial bendito todo el que se humilla delante de tu presencia tú endureciste el corazón del faraón has que él mío sea cada día más tierno y agradable a ti úsame como usaste a Moises para tú gloria bendita has que hoy sea un día lleno de tu presencia amor paz y próspero úsame como un grano de sal en la tierra gracias mi Rey tú sabes siempre que es mejor para tus hijos a ti encomiendo todas nuestras vidas en nombre y por amor a Jesús amén ?
Who among us modern day Christians would dare to speak to God like Moses did? Personally, I fear God too much. But then again, I don’t know God the way Moses did. I would love to have that kind of a relationship with God. One day, I will see the glory of God and have a Moses relationship with Him. Even so come Lord Jesus.
Good thought Doug here is my thought on it, no right or wrong answer, I have not read in the devotional anyone speaking to God in this way as Moses did at the end of the chapter. I have never had a burning bushing experience with God and instructed to do a task. God instructed Moses to lead the people out of Egypt, but God did not explain to Moses there would be bumps in the road and here Moses hit a bump. We see Moses human side and I am like you I would have never preyed that prayer because in the NT the writers all had physical punishment none ever prayed that prayer.
Disappointment teaches us to look at God not ourselves. Trust HIM to do what is best. His plans are not thwarted. Our disappointments do not discourage God.
God has set me free, from whatever enslaves me, to worship him. Help me Lord not have any idols before, you, including me, my agenda and what I think should be prioritized before you. No amount of work that I place on myself to do, will give me the sense of power/control I desire, and the actual power/control that God has. Others’ disobedience can lead us to suffer consequences, but God is still faithful if we wait on Him.
I will be obedient and depend on God. He is faithful. He is my authority and will never leave me nor forsake me.