PASTOR’S NOTES
Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.”
I think at times we quickly move past just exactly how bold of a word God gave Moses to present to the Pharaoh. This was a slave telling the “man in charge” to let go of all of his free labor. Why would the Pharaoh listen to anything Moses had to say, let alone such a wild demand? The only way the Pharaoh would have listened is if he was convicted by God to do so, but as we saw in chapter 4, that was not going to happen.
This interaction between Moses and the Pharaoh teaches us an important message when interacting with those who do not view God as King; those who have not been changed in salvation. What Moses demanded was a bold command, but it was also crazy to think it would be heard by someone who did not submit to the authority of God. Moses and the Pharaoh spoke two different languages.
Why would Pharaoh listen to what God commands when he had to ask, “Who is the Lord?” God meant nothing to the Pharaoh, making it to where the commands of God meant even less.
Today, we should remember the same truth of what takes place in chapter 5. There are many people who do not submit to God that we interact with on an everyday basis. People who do not behave, listen, or respond in the way that we would hope. There are those who desire conflict and drama, and we as believers should not be confused by this. Why would the ungodly behave godly? Why would those who do not believe feel conviction of the Holy Spirit to change their ways?
Living everyday life with unbelievers is our calling and such a wonderful opportunity, but it can also be challenging and frustrating. I get frustrated when others do not see the spiritual connection to their actions or decisions. That is normal to feel. However, we are reminded in this story that some do not have the eyes to see or the ears to hear. That we should not become discouraged or confused, but to stay steady to God’s calling and to show grace towards those who do not deserve it.
There was a day that all of us also could not hear or see and God showed His grace in our life. He opened our eyes and ears; changed our life!
SCRIPTURE TO GO ALONG WITH THE MESSAGE
Read John 14:15 as a reminder about those who obey Christ and the reason for those that do not.
HIGHLIGHT IN YOUR BIBLES
Highlight verses 6-8 and 19-21 in Exodus 5.
