Exodus

Studies in Slavery & Redemption

Chapter 5

  1. Afterward Moses and Aaron came, and said to Pharaoh, “This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, ‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.’ ”
  2. Pharaoh said, “Who is Yahweh, that I should listen to his voice to let Israel go? I don’t know Yahweh, and moreover I will not let Israel go.”
  3. They said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to Yahweh, our God, lest he fall on us with pestilence, or with the sword.”
  4. The king of Egypt said to them, “Why do you, Moses and Aaron, take the people from their work? Get back to your burdens!” 
  5. 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 officers, saying, 
  7. “You shall no longer give the people straw to make brick, as before. Let them go and gather straw for themselves. 
  8. You shall require from them the number of the bricks which they made before. You shall not diminish anything of it, for they are idle. Therefore they cry, saying, ‘Let’s go and sacrifice to our God.’ 
  9. Let heavier work be laid on the men, that they may labor in it. Don’t let them pay any attention to lying words.”
  10. The taskmasters of the people went out with their officers, and they spoke to the people, saying, “This is what Pharaoh says: ‘I will not give you straw. 
  11. Go yourselves, get straw where you can find it, for nothing of your work shall be diminished.’ ” 
  12. So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw. 
  13. The taskmasters were urgent saying, “Fulfill your work quota daily, as when there was straw!” 
  14. The officers of the children of Israel, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and were asked, “Why haven’t you fulfilled your quota both yesterday and today, in making brick as before?”
  15. Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, saying, “Why do you deal this way with your servants? 
  16. No straw is given to your servants, and they tell us, ‘Make brick!’ and behold, your servants are beaten; but the fault is in your own people.”
  17. But Pharaoh said, “You are idle! You are idle! Therefore you say, ‘Let’s go and sacrifice to Yahweh.’ 
  18. Go therefore now, and work; for no straw shall be given to you; yet you shall deliver the same number of bricks!”
  19. The officers of the children of Israel saw that they were in trouble when it was said, “You shall not diminish anything from your daily quota of bricks!”
  20. They met Moses and Aaron, who stood along the way, as they came out from Pharaoh. 
  21. They said to them, “May Yahweh look at you and judge, because you have made us a stench to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to kill us!”
  22. Moses returned to Yahweh, and said, “Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Why is it that you have sent me? 
  23. For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people. You have not rescued your people at all!”

New Light 5:

Freedom is never achieved with pain and opposition.

New Light 6:

Satan's 'go-to' strategy that works all too well is Distraction.

Oppressor come from an odd viewpoint:

I find this passage exceedingly eye-opening, especially in light of current events.

Pharaoh (and his minions) held the Hebrews in slavery, forced them into hard labor, coerced them into participation in idolatry, and treated them generally quite badly; but somehow convinced them that they, the overlords, had been doing them a favor by allowing for bricks to be made with straw! How did they get away with it?

In essence, Pharaoh, like his master, Satan, distracted the children of Israel away from their faith and worship (at the end of Chapter 4) and turned their attention away from faith and to their captors, their pain, and their present circumstances.

Let me set some context:

  • 67 Hebrews had entered the land of Egypt at the invitation of their brother, Joseph, who RULED Egypt for Pharaoh. Joseph and his 2 sons brought this number to 70.
  • Among these 67 were two brothers who alone conquered whole cities in response to the dishonoring of their sister.
  • But in just 120 or so years in Egypt (yes, not 400) the Israelites had forgotten their heritage, succumbed to their rulers and accepted tyranny over freedom.

What does this all mean?

  1. Regardless of your current status in regards to slavery, you are STILL a Child of God and made in HIS image. Please consider memorizing Psalm 139:14
  2. If you are in such slavery, of any type of addiction, and you are reading these words, then it is because your Redeemer, Yahweh, is about to do battle for your freedom and you too should prepare to be amazed. Please consider reading ahead, Exodus 14:13-14.
  3. There will be times where you will not just be ON the battlefield, but you will BE the battlefield. Keep your eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2-3).
  4. It matters not what demands the Pharaoh in your life (Satan) makes of you, the victory for your soul is secure if you keep your eyes on He who fights for you (1 Samuel 17:47).
  5. DON'T BE DISTRACTED BY WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND YOU.
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