After 400 years of slavery to Egypt (Exodus 1), Israel finally received hope of a future deliverance through God’s chosen servant, Moses (Exodus 2:1-3:9). Although Moses initially objected to God’s appointment of him as the deliverer of Israel (3:10-4:17), he finally submitted and began the journey to Egypt with his family (4:18-26). When they arrived in Egypt, Moses and Aaron (Moses’ brother) gathered the elders of Israel and told them that God had “…visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction…” (Exodus 4:29-31). The Israelites rejoiced and worshiped at the news of God hearing their cries and sending help (Exodus 2:23-25). The time had finally come for Moses and Aaron to approach Pharaoh and ask for the release of the children of Israel (5:1); however, their request was met with opposition from Pharaoh who said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go” (5:2). Moses and Aaron kindly responded saying, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please, let us go three days’ journey into the desert and sacrifice to the Lord our God, lest He fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword” (5:3). Pharaoh became angry at the words of the two men and accused them of attempting to reduce the number of hours the Israelites worked (5:4-5); furthermore, Pharaoh increased their amount of work (5:6-9). The Israelites could not keep up with the increased daily workload/quota imposed by Pharaoh and the officers of the children of Israel were beaten as punishment (5:10-14). The officers of Israel pleaded before Pharaoh for fair treatment, but he accused them of being lazy and demanded that they keep up their daily quota (5:15-19).
As the officers of Israel left the presence of Pharaoh, they met Moses and Aaron and said to them, ” Let the Lord look on you and judge, because you have made us abhorrent in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to kill us” (5:20-21). The reaction of the officers of the children of Israel discouraged Moses. Even though he knew Pharaoh would refuse to free Israel from bondage (4:21), Moses did not realize that the Israelites would experience greater bondage and persecution as a result of his interaction with Pharaoh. All hope seemed to be lost for Israel. Their belief (4:31) had now turned to anger and hopelessness. Moses did not know what to do so he poured out his heart to God saying, “Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Why is it You have sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all” (5:22-23). The opposition Moses was facing was a test of his faith. Did he believe God would keep His promise to deliver the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage (3:7-10)?
Dear God, may I have faith in Your promises even when the fulfillment seems distant.
