Day 40 – October 19th

Friday, October 19

Read Exodus 5

Think About It:

Moses and Aaron stood before the ruler of one of the greatest kingdoms of the ancient world.  They were sent by God to inform Pharaoh that if he didn’t release the Jewish people, Jehovah would declare war on him, and his gods, and wouldn’t stop attacking Egypt until the people of Israel were set free.  Why should “I” obey the Lord? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go. Pharaoh thought of himself as a god. Who was this other god and why was He calling his Israelite slaves, “His people”?  Moses mentioned that they would be in danger if they failed to obey the Lord, warning of the power of the Lord. If Pharaoh obeyed the edict, he would be acknowledging a deity greater than himself. In fact, Pharaoh made them find their own straw and deliver the same daily quota. The Lord was working out His perfect plan to free His people and glorify His Great Name.  The Jewish foreman complained and Pharaoh turned them against Moses and Aaron – it is their fault I did this to you. When the foremen met with Moses and Aaron they asked the Lord to Judge them for how they looked in the eyes of this earthy god, instead of standing on faith in the prophecy of what God had in store for his chosen people and trusting those who were chosen to carry it out.  Moses prayed to the Lord.  He asked why the Lord brought trouble on these people. I came in Your name.  Are you going to keep your promise to me or not?

God’s chosen servants must expect opposition and misunderstanding, because that is part of being a leader.  And Spiritual leaders must know how to go to the Lord, pour out their hearts, and seek his strength and wisdom.  They must be bold before people but broken before God and must proclaim God’s promises and do His will even when everything seems to be against them.

1. Do you have the faith to stand and defend your mission before a king and your peers or in reality, your family or co-workers?
2. Are you an asset or liability to the Lord to further His Great Name?

Family Time:

1. What were Aaron and Moses instructed to tell Pharaoh? What was the peoples’ response toward the obedience of Moses and Aaron? Can you think of a time when you obeyed God and fellow believers were mad at you or did not understand you?
2. Who does Moses turn to when everyone gets mad at him? When we turn to God we need to be patient and know that walking in truth and letting God be our defense is enough.