The Right to Live and Worship God Freely

Exodus 5:1-23

L/W-We discussed how Moses, after making all the excuses/arguments, put his “yes on the altar,” so-to-speak, and walking in obedience took off for Egypt; he and his whole family. In this look at Moses’ obedience, we saw four divine fruits of Biblical obedience:

God’s assurance

God’s guidance

God’s hand of chastisement lifted

God’s promises fulfilled

And these “fruits” are not/were not merely reserved for Moses; these are assurances that are reserved for any believer who puts their yes on the altar and walks in Biblical obedience.

T/W-We discuss the first confrontation Moses and Aaron had with Pharaoh. After the reunion b/t Moses and Aaron and after relaying the message of deliverance to the elders of Israel, Moses and Aaron go to make their intentions known to Pharaoh.

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In the hearts of man, there exists a cry—a cry for freedom—for liberty—for the yoke and burden that weighs so heavily on their hearts to lifted and removed—so they may live and worship. This is the cry God heard in the people of Israel and the message He sent Moses to give. The message God had given Moses is the same message that underscores the entirety of God’s Word and is the answer to man’s cry--deliverance; deliverance through Jesus Christ.

God’s will is that ALL people to have liberty, freedom, and justice. God desired Israel to be freed and He desires you to be freed from bondage/tyranny/sin. He desires not one single soul to be enslaved. We were created in His image, for His purpose—to worship and serve Him in all we do. No matter who we are (who you are), God desires us to be free.

2 Peter 3:8-9 “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

God desires to save you, so that He could be your Father. To take you under His sovereign grace, love, and provision and to lead you to the believer’s promised land—-His presence in eternity.

Yet there exists those who oppose God’s will, reject His plan/purpose for man—and want nothing more to use the power they seek to enslave others; there exists an enemy who wants nothing more than to keep us from realizing this message.

In our time today, my prayer is that each of understand that despite the fact we have an enemy who stands against the will and purpose of God—there stands a barren cross and empty grave which is the eternal promise and covenant of God Himself, that if we place our faith and trust in Jesus and what His death and resurrection accomplished for us,not even Satan himself can hold you captive under/in sin.

I. (5:1) The Declaration of God’s will—God’s people are to be freed, set at liberty to worship and serve God

Exodus 5:1 “Afterward Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’ ””

(Context)--Picture the seen and the message

Who-A group of slaves and a lowly shepherd

Pharaoh, most likely the most powerful man in the world at the time is sitting on his throne

Moses-a simple shepherd

Aaron-a slave

Most likely the elders of Israel

What was the message

The demand that Pharaoh free God’s people so they could go into the wilderness and worship the One True God

Exodus 5:1 “...Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’ ””

(You and me)—Slow down and see what’s behind the message

“Thus says...”—This is indicative of the importance of what comes next

“The Lord God” (The One saying it)

Jehovah/Yahweh/”I AM”—the personal, eternal, creator, immediate and involved, One true God

“…of Israel” (Who the message is regarding--a nation; a people belonging to God)

What does this teach us?

God makes a distinction b/t those who belong to Him and those who do not

(Exodus 11:7 “But against none of the children of Israel shall a dog move its tongue, against man or beast, that you may know that the Lord does make a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.’”)

God’s people have a purpose/aim/goal

To live in freedom/liberty

For Israel—this was to come through Moses

For you and—this comes through the cross of Jesus Christ

To live worshipping/serving/and drawing closer to Him

It’s what Israel was established for

It’s what you were created for

“Let My people go,...”

What does this teach us about Israel?

Standing against Israel was an enemy of liberty & freedom (Pharaoh)

Pharaoh’s rejection/rebellion/rebuke of God translated into the

Enslavement of Israel

Bondage of Israel

Placing of a yoke of tyranny & oppression on Israel

Doing whatever it took to see them

Divided/Distracted/Deceived

Doing whatever it took to keep them their

What does this teach us about you and me?

Just as the barrier/enemy existed against Israel, so to does an enemy stand opposed to God and man’s freedom and liberty today

Our enemy (Satan’s) rejection/rebellion/rebuke of God translates into him (the silver-tongued devil)

Enslaving man to work as his accomplice

Ephesians 2:1-3 “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.”

Satan uses the sinful nature of man

Against man, and

To accomplish his own evil purposes

Placing a yoke upon man; a yoke of

Rules/WorksReligion; a yoke of

Addictions/Strongholds/Footholds; a yoke of

Seeking acceptance/worth/value/identity in the things and systems of this world-rather than Christ

Doing whatever he can to keep man

Divided/Distracted/Deceived

Doing whatever he can to keep man (us) there—and apart from God

The enemy is at work in this world to see you yoked to the image of this world, rather than the liberty that comes in living under the image you were created for---God’s!

What does this teach us about the message?

God’s message He sent Moses with, “Let My people go,” is the same message Christ came with at His birth and carried with Him all the way to Calvary and declared on the cross…It is finished

There’s a divine difference here:

While the deliverance of Israel from Egypt was from a physical enemy, it is the foretaste of the work of Christ.

The consummated work of the cross and the resurrection has freed those who might and do surrender, from a spiritual death and separation and join us eternally with our Heavenly Father:

1 Peter 3:18 “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,”

As Pharaoh and his army were drowned in the Red Sea—so to was Satan overwhelmed and overcome by the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross

“…that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.” (The message itself)

We were created to worship

We were made to worship

We were created in HIs image and His likeness

II. (5:2-14) The next 13 verses deal with Pharaoh’s rejection of God’s will, yet the are underscored by how Pharaoh respond in verse 2

Exodus 5:2 “And Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go.””

(Context) In Pharaoh’s response to Moses and Aaron (which was actually his response to God): shows exactly what he thought about request and more devastating, revealed the condition of his heart: in essence, this is what Pharaoh was saying:

“Are these group of slaves actually here demanding I let them go on some “religious experience?”

“Do they think I am a fool?”

“Are they trying to strike fear in me by claiming their God sent them?”

“I’ll teach them a lesson, they’ll never forget.”

Why? Why did he treat them, enslave them, and mistreat them so badly…and even worse after this? Why did Pharaoh reject God? It goes deeper than simply a hard heart; (5 things to understand, about Pharaoh and so many others as to was they mistreat & persecute God’s people today):

Pharaoh was ignorant of God (v.2)

(Context)

Simply stated—Pharaoh did not walk in fear of God

His response was immediately crisp and cynical

His response—in no uncertain terms—declared he did not know the Lord and wasn’t letting them go.

(You and me)—Be mindful of the representations here (1) Pharaoh-Satan (2) Egypt-The world (systems of the world)

Satan and the system(s) of this world stand diametrically opposed to God; His plan; His purpose; Who He is

Satan and the system(s) of this world stand diametrically opposed to God so much they will stop at nothing to pronounce their rejection of God

What’s to learn in all of this?

The world does not know God and therefore the world will often persecute believers; a person who truly loves and follows God will never persecute other believers—nor anyone else

The world—those apart from God, cannot make sense of the believers or the message they carry

By nature, man rejects, mocks, persecutes, makes fun of, rejects what is not understood

The reality of the cross magnifies this:

1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

(David Jeremiah)--”The cross is a simple word—basic enough that everyone can understand its essence, yet powerful enough to radically transform a life. It’s also a separating word, for wherever the cross is preached, it causes division; those who reject it are “perishing”; those who receive it are “being saved.”

Pharaoh accused God’s messengers with the disturbing the peace & interfering with the people’s work (v. 4-5)

(Context)

Pharaoh charged the people to get back to work; to focus on their labor and their toil

Pharaoh knew the numerical size of the Hebrew people—thus he knew the work produced by the Israelites was enormous

Pharaoh reacted with a hard-heart, a mean-spirit, and with ruthlessness—and he did so immediately

(You and me)

SatanI’s method, one of them anyway, is to keep us busy in toiling and laboring, working and striving

Satan knows that followers of Christ are few compared to population of this world and the more people he can get to labor/toil/slave for the things of this world, the less will surrender to Christ and less work can be done for Christ

Satan, uses the system(s) of this world, the distractions of this world, and the deceit of this world as a way to turn man away from seeing Jesus and keeping man’s focus towards themselves

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”

Pharaoh was mean-spirited, hard-hearted, malicious, and ruthless (v.6-8)

Pharaoh no longer provided the straw used to make bricks and the people were forced to gather their own (v.7)

Pharaoh forced the Israelites to produce the same quota of bricks each day—regardless of the extra labor to collect straw (v.8)

Pharaoh dismissed the message of God’s messengers (v.9b)

Think of how many people believe the gospel that is preached by God’s messengers (pastors and teachers) to be a lie—the God’s message of deliverance is:

False?

Empty?

Meaningless?

Useless?

A waste of time?

Of no value in the real world?

Think of how the enemy and the system(s) of this world distort and lie about

What salvation is?

Who salvation is for?

Who can and can’t be saved?

What Christian love is?

What forgiveness is?

What grace/mercy are?

Who grace/mercy are reserved for?

Think of the message the world sends that says

Your sin is too deep?

Your sin is beyond forgiveness?

Your sin is not that bad?

Your sin is not hurting anyone?

But then think of what God’s Word declares:

Ephesians 3:16-18 “that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—”

Isaiah 1:18 ““Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”

Pharaoh misused his authority and power (v.10-14)

(What we see)

Pharaoh used his power and authority to oppress and afflict:

Israel now had to find their own straw; yet maintain the same quota (v.11)

Israel was now scattered all over Egypt to gather straw: (v.11)

Separated from families

Israel was constantly tormented and pressed to fill their daily quota (v.13)

Pharaoh was unrelenting in his oppression

Israel’s leaders (foremen) were beaten b/c the people failed to meet their quota (v.14)

(What we learn)

Pharaoh would stop at nothing to ensure his thumb remained over God’s people

III. (v.15-19) The Elders Appealed for Justice, Reason, Understanding, and Compassion—and they were rejected (shows the reality of Pharaoh’s malicious heart)

Exodus 5:15-19 “Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried out to Pharaoh, saying, “Why are you dealing thus with your servants? There is no straw given to your servants, and they say to us, ‘Make brick!’ And indeed your servants are beaten, but the fault is in your own people.” But he said, “You are idle! Idle! Therefore you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.’ Therefore go now and work; for no straw shall be given you, yet you shall deliver the quota of bricks.” And the officers of the children of Israel saw that they were in trouble after it was said, “You shall not reduce any bricks from your daily quota.””

(Context)

Israelite foremen appealed to Pharaoh-this would been a detachment of foremen, as there were more than likely thousands of foremen overseeing the work of Israel

They inquired for Pharaoh to be

Reasonable

Compassionate, and

Understanding towards God’s people

Pharaoh’s reaction was two-fold

He made a sarcastic and false accusation, saying:

God’s people were lazy

God’s people had no need to worship

He displayed a spirit of injustice, unreasonableness, and a lack of compassion (the exact opposite of what was asked)

The effect on the foremen? It was as expected considering the reaction of Pharaoh:

They were overwhelmed

They felt hopeless, and

They felt helpless

IV. (v.20-23)—Moses cries out on behalf of God’s people

Exodus 5:20-23 “Then, as they came out from Pharaoh, they met Moses and Aaron who stood there to meet them. And they said to them, “Let the Lord look on you and judge, because you have made us abhorrent in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to kill us.” So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Why is it You have sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all.””

Moses and Aaron met with the foremen (hoping for a favorable response from Pharaoh). What happened?

The foremen blamed Moses and Aaron—harshly and bitterly blamed them—for the abuse being loaded upon them and Israel

The foremen told Moses and Aaron they were to personally to blame for the added affliction and persecution that was no upon Israel

The foremen know feared for their lives and the lives of the Hebrew people—that Pharaoh would rise up and kill them all

Moses stood there and listened to them—taking it all in

What a good minister ought to do—even though it was surely hard to hear/listen to

Moses was disturbed and hurt when his own people attacked him. What did he do

He got alone with God and prayed (v.22)

He questioned why God allowed such trouble and bondage

He questioned his own call to ministry

Moses was blaming himself for having brought this trouble on Israel, he was

In despair

Questioning

Wondering

Asking why God was allowing all this

Moses resolution?

Cried out to God to deliver His people

(WORSHIP TEAM)

Two things as we close:

The foremen could not see past their situation/Israel’s bondage to see what God had promised to do---they only saw what is front of them. They could not see past their affliction(s) to recognize God had sent them a deliverer in Moses

This is the place Pharaoh desire them to be; stuck

Focused on toiling/working/slaving away

Focused on their bondage

Focused on their enslavement to the systems of Egypt (the world)

Why?

So Israel wouldn’t be able to see and know there was deliverance

So he could keep them under his thumb of oppression

So he could keep them bound to an image of Egypt/enslavement/brokenness

If we know Pharaoh is a picture of Satan and Egypt of the world, then we must realize this is the place and mindset of Satan--that he desires all of man to be stuck:

Focused on toil/work/slaving away—distracted

Focused on our bondage/affliction, so you cannot see or know there’s a way out

Focused on being enslaved to the systems of this world

Rulers and leaders of this world (politics—we place more time, energy, value and focus on shaming others and idolizing the rest rather than focusing on Christ and surrendering to His sovereignty in all things).

Escapism (social media, chasing the “American dream,” technology, making a name for oneself, etc)

Defining your worth, value, image on earthly things and earthly relationships

Keeping you tied to temporal and instant means of satisfactions

Why?

So man wouldn’t be able to see and know there’s deliverance through Jesus Christ

So he could keep man under this thumb of oppression and stuck in our death-sentence of sin

So he could keep man bound to the images of this world, rather then bound to the image of Christ

So he can keep us blind to not see God has sent us a deliverer from his (Satan’s) tyranny

Maybe this is you.

Maybe this is what you’re stuck in, can’t see your way out of, what you’re too focused on;

Maybe all you can see is your bondage/addictions, situations/circumstances, and all you see is no way out

If so—let me lovingly tell you—WAKE UP, and see that God has sent you a deliverer—the greatest gift and hope you could ever think of; He’s sent you

The Way—out of bondage/enslavement/toiling and striving

The Truth-that defaults every lie of the enemy, lies about

Your worth/image

Your sin getting forgiven

Your acceptance

The Life—a life of freedom and liberty

For those of you know and have received the message of deliverance—we will continue to encounter persecution for your (our) faith—

The enemy is opposed to the truth and is hard at work to see the truth of God’s Word

Plateaued

Dormant

Ineffective

For those of you who know and have received the message of deliverance—there’s both an assurance and guidance:

The assurance?

Jesus, in sending out the 70 says this about the “harvest,” and the need for laborers:

Luke 10:1-3 “After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.”

Where’s the assurance, look at verse 3 again: Luke 10:3 “Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.”

Jesus is well aware of the environment He sends/calls/commissions us to:

How is this assurance? Because if He knows about the circumstances/environment He sends us to—He’s not going to leave us to fend for ourselves

Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”

We go in His authority and not our own

When we go, He goes with us,

How do we know we have this assurance?

Acts 1:4 “And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me;”

What were the apostles to wait for?

Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””

The guidance

1 Peter 3:13-17 “And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”

The guidance—Suffering for righteousness, according to Peter is countered with 6 things:

Know there’s blessing

1 Peter 3:14 “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed“

Matthew 5:10-12 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Don’t fear

1 Peter 3:14 “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.””

Mark 5:36 “As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.””

Sanctify the Lord in your hearts—

1 Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts…”

Be ready to give a defense

1 Peter 3:15 “…and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;”

Maintain a clear conscience

1 Peter 3:16 “having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.”

Continue in good conduct

1 Peter 3:17 “For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”