But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD. Exodus 5:17

Pharaoh did not respond well to Moses request to let the Israelites Go and worship Yahweh. In fact this drove him to anger, Pharaoh punished the Israelites by making it harder for them to complete their work by not providing them with the straw they needed to produce bricks. 

Pharaoh basically mocked the Israelites by saying there desire to worship God made them lazy or weak, isnt this what the world tells us today. When we rely on God to provide all our needs, when we get on our knees to pray and cry out to our Lord, the world calls us lazy and weak. However just like Pharaoh, the world is going to find out who truly is in control

And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh: And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us. Exodus 5:20-21

The Israelites were also really mad at Moses and Aaron, because they decided to put their faith in God, there life became much harder. This is the same we see today, many believe when they become a Christians, that life is going to become easier, well Jesus actually taught the opposite

Jesus said “ We will be hated by everyone because of him “ (Matthew 10:22) Jesus also said not only will we face persecution by possible death (Matthew 24:9) Yes the more you put your faith in God, the more Satan will persecute you!

And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all. Exodus 5:22-23

Moses cried to God, why are you doing this God? But Moses doesnt understand , just like we dont understand, God is not persecuting us, Satan is. We are in a Spiritual Warfare for your soul (Ephesians 6)

God has given us salvation through Jesus Christ, he never promised an easy life. But remember this, just as God is going to demonstrate to Egypt, God is still in complete control Amen!

And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. Exodus 5:1

So the time has finally come for Moses and Aaron to confront Pharaoh and demand that he lets their people go! This is a bold request to be made by Moses, however He is answering his call by God to do this. The same is when you go to preach the gospel to unsaved people, as commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19) 

Notice their reason for the request, so the Israelites may worship God! Simple as that, the Israelites want their freedom of religion, their right to worship the true God of Israel. This is a right, that many of us take for granted on a daily basis! While in some countries Christians will risk their lives to attend a Church service, other Christians refuse to attend a Church service under their own authority

And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go. Exodus 5:2

Notice Pharaohs response, Who is Yahweh? This is probably the same response many non believers will give when you preach them the gospel. Their eyes and ears are blinded, they live in darkness because they dont have the Holy Spirit. Pharaoh declares “He doesnt know Yahweh”

Well atleast Pharaoh is being honest, while many profess to know Christ, Jesus said He doesn’t even know many of them (Matthew 7) God is going to introduce himself personally to Pharaoh, as He is going to send the plagues which will reveal Gods sovereignty and He truly does exist!

And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days’ journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword. Exodus 5:3

Notice Moses and Aaron had the Fear of God, their telling Pharaoh if you reject God he will display his wrath upon you. Many today don’t want to Fear God and even talk about Gods wrath. They try to create a God in their own image or mind that doesn’t judge or shouldnt be feared, this is not Biblical

The Fear of Yahweh (The Lord) is the beginning of wisdom and understanding (Proverbs 9:10) Many dont know God because they dont fear God, they have no reverence or respect for him. Pharaoh is about to find out all about the true Living God, as the Bible says “ Its a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God” (Hebrews 10:31) Amen!

And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go. Exodus 4:21

Moses being faithful to God, packed up his entire family and headed to Egypt with a confrontation with Pharah. God informed Moses, all the men that were looking to kill him have already passed away, as it has now been 40 years since Moses was back in Egypt

Earlier God allowed Moses to perform a couple miracles to prove He was with him, same He is going to allow Moses to perform these miracles to convince the Israelites that God is truly with them. 

One of the most pondered scriptures is how God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, what does this mean? Well remember God is in complete control always, He may give us free will and allow things to happen, but ultimately God is in complete control. God is going to use Pharaoh to revive an entire nation, Thy Will Be Done!

And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn. Exodus 4:22-23

Notice God considers the Israelites his children, just as we are now Gods Children through Jesus Christ. Imagine the Creator of the Heavens and The Earth considers you so dearly. And anyone who harms his children has serious consequences

Pharaoh’s refusal to repent for the sins committed against the Israelites is going to cost him severely. Just as our sins , if not repented, will cost us severely also. Remember Christ is the only Begotten Son, anyone who rejects and sins against him will be punished

You are either a Child of God or you are Pharaoh! Wow right, anyone who is not washed by the blood of Christ is an enemy of Christ. You may not like that or you might not agree with that, but remember God is in complete control Amen!

And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. Exodus 4:10

When God called Moses to be the mediator between Him and the Israelites, what was Moses’ initial response? His first response is “God I can’t do this”, Moses went on to tell God that he had a speech impediment, maybe Moses stuttered we are not sure, but Moses didn’t feel confident standing in front of all of Egypt and the Hebrews giving them Gods message

Maybe we have done the same thing, maybe God has called us to do something and our response is “Not me God, I can’t do that” But don’t you think God is well aware of our disabilities, God is well aware of our circumstances, but He has called us anyway, Why? Because you are not walking alone, The Lord is your Shepherd

And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. Exodus 4:11-12

Notice Gods response to Moses plea, Who made your mouth Moses? Who made every human on this planet? Its God Almighty and He knows everything about You, your struggle, your obstacle is no surprise to Him

Then God says to Moses “Go”, God wasn’t looking for excuses, God didnt make a mistake selecting Moses, God is saying “Even though you are slow in speech Moses, you are going to be the mouth of God”

This is the power and glory of God, He can take the ones the world looked down upon, the ones the world has cast aside, and God will raise them up to be His soldiers! 

And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. Exodus 4:13-14

Notice Moses is still afraid to answer Gods calling, think about that! At this point God became angry with Moses, why? Because Moses is not putting his trust in God, hes letting his fear overcome his faith

But God has a solution, He will send his brother Aaron to help him! When we look back at our lives we probably would agree some people have been God sents , people come in your life for the right reasons. 

And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. Exodus 4:15

Notice God is not expecting Moses to figure everything out himself, He said “I will put the words in your mouth and I will teach you what to do”  God didnt send Moses out to Egypt and say Good luck

If God has called you to do something, He will walk with you, He will teach you what to do! Dont be afraid to step out in faith, be equipped with the Holy Spirit. “Greater is He living inside of Me, than He who is living in the world”   (1John 4:4)   Amen!