Journal Through the Bible: Week 12 Thursday

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Exodus 5:1-6:9 
There are parts of this story that are so hard to read. At the end of the previous chapter (4:31) the Children of Israel were happy and worshiping the LORD because they were going to be delivered. But in chapter 5 things take a nasty turn! The people are told to continue their jobs without being given the proper supplies to keep up the production of making bricks. Now the people are being abused and they are afraid.

That old question of "Why do bad things happen to good (or God's) people?" is not a new one. The Israelites were wondering why their plight went from bad to worst right after they were told their redemption was coming. That sounds about right. Satan hasn't added any new tricks, probably because God's people can be kept discouraged by the old ones. It is one of the reasons why the New Testament tells us that we must endure until the end. But don't forget! Deliverance is coming! And when it does, it will be spectacular!

Never look at a brick the same AGAIN.


Does God make any promises in this passage?

• God promised that He would be able to show the people His power better after they had suffered more affliction at the hand of the cruel masters.
• God promised more familiarity than what had come before. He proved this by declaring His name of JEHOVAH to Moses (remember that Jacob had asked His name during his wrestling match with God but was given no answer, just a new name of his own).
• God reaffirmed the covenant with the people and promised to bring them out of bondage

Are there any references to Jesus?

• Whenever there is mention of redemption it is a picture of Jesus! Jehovah promised to bring His chosen people out from bondage, remove the burdens, redeem them, claim them as His own, be their God, and bring them into the promised inheritance.

Are there any references to future (to us) events?

• When we are face-to-face with God we will know the power of His name more intimately than we do now. And we are told in Revelation that we will each be given a new name also. Perhaps it will be a title or descriptive name like Abram becoming Abraham (father of multitudes), or Sarai becoming Sarah (princess), or Jacob becoming Israel (God strives).
• Christians have already had their burdens of sin removed, been claimed from slavery, been redeemed from the slave market of sin, and claimed as God's people by their God, but they are still waiting to receive the land of their inheritance.

Does God issue any commands?

• Through Moses and Aaron God commands Pharaoh to let the Children of Israel go that they may worship God
• God commanded Moses an Aaron to tell the people again all that God promised to do for them.