The Battle Begins

Call to Worship: Ps 104:24-35

Psalm 104:24–35 NKJV

O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions— This great and wide sea, In which are innumerable teeming things, Living things both small and great. There the ships sail about; There is that Leviathan Which You have made to play there. These all wait for You, That You may give them their food in due season. What You give them they gather in; You open Your hand, they are filled with good. You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; And You renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the Lord endure forever; May the Lord rejoice in His works. He looks on the earth, and it trembles; He touches the hills, and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the Lord. May sinners be consumed from the earth, And the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord!

First Reading: Ro 8:14-17

Romans 8:14–17 NKJV

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Second Reading: John 14:8-17

John 14:8–17 NKJV

Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

Bible Passage: Exodus 5

Intro:

AG: Fear makes the wolf bigger than he is.

Anonymous TS: Exodus 5 recounts the early struggles of Moses and Aaron as they confront Pharaoh to demand the release of the Israelites from bondage. Pharaoh not only refuses to free them but also increases their workload, making their suffering even worse. This chapter illustrates the power dynamics between oppressors and the oppressed and sets the stage for God's eventual deliverance.

RS: This passage serves as a powerful reminder that even in the face of daunting challenges and suffering, we must remain steadfast in our faith. Just as Moses and Aaron faced opposition, we too may encounter 'Pharaohs' in our lives—be they personal struggles, systemic injustices, or spiritual battles.

1. Confronting Powerful Oppressors

Exodus 5:1–5 NKJV

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.’ ” 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.” So they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please, let us go three days’ journey into the desert and sacrifice to the Lord our God, lest He fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.” Then the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people from their work? Get back to your labor.” And Pharaoh said, “Look, the people of the land are many now, and you make them rest from their labor!”

EX: Moses and Aaron Confront Pharoah

The confrontation between the Lord and Pharoah commenced with the command:

v. 1 Let my people go worship

Moses and Aaron obeyed God by going and delivering His message

They issue a direct demand to allow Israel to follow God’s instructions about going into the wilderness.

They were faithful in speaking the truth in the face of danger.

v. 2 Who is Yahweh?

Pharoah isn’t impressed and says no.

He probably knew of Yahweh, but the way he speaks is insolent and arrogant. It is saying that The Lord isn’t powerful enough to make demands of Pharoah

Questions on whose authority they spoke

From the Egyptian perspective—supported by historical records like the Pyramid Texts and inscriptions from rulers like Horemheb—confirms Pharaohs were revered as divine. This belief likely fueled the Exodus Pharaoh’s resistance to Moses, as yielding to a foreign god would undermine his divine authority.

The lack of a named Pharaoh in Exodus may also reflect a deliberate omission to diminish his legacy, clashing with the Egyptian obsession with being remembered as god-kings.

Moses and Aaron rephrase the request

V. 3 The God of Hebrews demands we sacrifice… or else!

V. 4 Get back to work and quit interrupting their efforts.

Jesus did the same as Moses and Aaron. He faced the ultimate opposition (earthly in the form of Sanhedrin and Rome, and spiritually in Satan’s temptation, entering Judas as he went to betray him, etc.) In spite of their “power and authority” Jesus was faithful and didn’t flinch when confronting them. He remained faithful.

APPLICATION:

In light of Christ's example, who persisted despite opposition, we too can trust in God's bigger plan.

We will be called upon do take risks for God

Probably not asking a king or world leader to deliver and oppressed people.

However, every gospel presentation requires risk

We can’t hide when calling for repentance

We reveal our allegiance to Him

There is conflict in confronting evil in the world.

God demands our faithfulness, not Earthly success.

Moses and Aaron (and many others) demonstrate to us that God measures us by faithfulness, not by “winning” in the eyes of the world.

2. Enduring Increased Burdens

Exodus 5:6–14 NKJV

So the same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their officers, saying, “You shall no longer give the people straw to make brick as before. Let them go and gather straw for themselves. And you shall lay on them the quota of bricks which they made before. You shall not reduce it. For they are idle; therefore they cry out, saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’ Let more work be laid on the men, that they may labor in it, and let them not regard false words.” And the taskmasters of the people and their officers went out and spoke to the people, saying, “Thus says Pharaoh: ‘I will not give you straw. Go, get yourselves straw where you can find it; yet none of your work will be reduced.’ ” So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw. And the taskmasters forced them to hurry, saying, “Fulfill your work, your daily quota, as when there was straw.” Also the officers of the children of Israel, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten and were asked, “Why have you not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and today, as before?”

EX: Pharoah reacted with more oppression

He rejected the request of Moses and ultimately defied God.

Not only did he say no, he added to the oppression

He demonstrates his power to command Israel in defiance of God!

His purpose is revealed in the phrase, “let them not regard false words”

He wants to remove their idleness and keep them under his oppression.

To accomplish this, the quota was to remain the same, but no straw provided. They had extra work and had to not slack in productivity.

He blamed their idleness for the request. They requested deliverance, but instead their burden was greater. AP: Burdens

We may faced increased trials when we stand up and answer God’s call.

It won’t always be easy, that is never promised.

Some will reject the message

Some will openly defy us

Still others may directly oppose us

Many will oppose the message and blame the messenger

Jesus reminded us that we do NOT have to face it alone. He promised help.

Matthew 28:19–20 NKJV

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.

I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS!

3. Navigating Despair with Faith

EX: Complaint and prayer

v. 15 -19 People complain to Pharoah

Exodus 5:15–19 NKJV

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.”

They made their appeal (prayer) to Pharaoh

He completely rejected them

V. 20-23 Questioning God

Exodus 5:20–23 NKJV

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.”

At that moment as they absorbed Pharoah’s reaction blame Moses and Moses’ questioning of God deliverance seemed distant.

People to Moses and Aaron

They blame Moses for the harsh treatment

“you made us abhorrent”

They ignore the facts:

They had already been oppressed

They had called out to God for deliverance

Pharaoh was the guilty party, not Moses!

Moses to God

Moses questions God, “Why have YOU brought trouble on this people?”

Again, misses the blame which belonged to Pharaoh

Both missed what God was doing.

This sets up the spiritual warfare of Yahweh demonstrate He alone is the Most High.

Psalm 97:7–9 NKJV

Let all be put to shame who serve carved images, Who boast of idols. Worship Him, all you gods. Zion hears and is glad, And the daughters of Judah rejoice Because of Your judgments, O Lord. For You, Lord, are most high above all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods.

Yahweh is above all gods and humans. He is going to demonstrate that in the coming days to Israel and Egypt. He is going to display His power in the domains of Egypt’s gods and goddesses.

AP: Dealing with Discouragement When trials come it's normal to feel discouraged.

Feelings are acceptable and natural.

What we do with them is what matters.

We must inform and lead our hearts (feelings) to the truth of God.

Remember that our feelings are a terrible leader

Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV

“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?

We must lead our hearts to the truth:

Proverbs 23:19 NKJV

Hear, my son, and be wise; And guide your heart in the way.

Direct our heart in meditating on the correct things:

Philippians 4:8–9 NKJV

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

IL: We see this in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Christ used prayer and faith in God's ultimate plan provided solace and strength to persist in HIS calling

prayer and faith will aid us too

We must always be trusting in eventual deliverance.

Conclusion:

We have seen Israel and Moses:

Confronting powerful oppressors

Enduring increases burdens

Navigating despair with faith

While we probably won’t face these same circumstances, we will have to stand up and confront others (some oppressors among them).

We will all have burdens to bear.

Faith in God is the key to navigating the despair.