Sermon Tone Analysis

Exodus 6:9

Discouragement

Synopsis (from Sermon Starter)

A sense of unhappiness arising from a loss of confidence in one’s own abilities, in the reliability of God or in the power of the gospel.

Discouragement can occur in the Christian life, especially when there is resistance to the gospel or in instances of personal failure.

Scripture provides reassurance for those who experience discouragement.

Discouragement has at his roots a disconnect of our minds from God’s real promise for us.

At the heart of discouragement, there is a sense of loss, inability to see a better future, and hope.

This is because we are unable to see three aspects of God:

vv.2-3 Permanent character: God never changes

v.4 Permanent Promise: God maintains his promises:

v.5: Power to change the future: God is able and willingness to bring us to freedom.

He knows our sufferings, hears our cry and acts on our behalf

There’s a nice chiasm in the verses:

vv.

2-3 cf.

8: Relocating Israel to the Promised Land (a new future)

v. 4 cf.

7: Adopting into the family (covenantal love, buying them out of slavery)

(NIrV) — 20 “Why is the light that leads to life given to those who suffer?

Why is it given to those whose spirits are bitter?

21 Why is life given to those who long for death that doesn’t come?

Why is it given to those who would rather search for death than for hidden treasure?

22 Why is life given to those who are actually happy and glad when they reach the grave?

23 Why is life given to a man like me? God hasn’t told me what will happen to me.

He has surrounded me with nothing but trouble.

24 I sigh instead of eating food.

Groans pour out of me like water.

25 What I was afraid of has come on me.

What I worried about has happened to me.

26 I don’t have any peace and quiet.

I can’t find any rest.

All I have is trouble.”

See also the Israelites in the desert; the Canaanites and Rahab; the Israelites and Goliath; God’s judgment on Sennacherib; ; ; Wisdom speaks to the sinner; the Teacher’s disillusion; ; to Baruch; God’s judgment on Israel; ; Paul

c. 5 cf.

6: Setting them free from their suffering and slavery

(NIrV) — 4 The people of Israel traveled from Mount Hor along the way to the Red Sea.

They wanted to go around Edom.

But they grew tired on the way.

5 So they spoke against God.

They also spoke against Moses.

They said to them, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt?

Do you want us to die here in the desert?

We don’t have any bread!

We don’t have any water!

And we hate this awful food!”

Discouragement has the ability to harden our hearts and take away from us the ability to receive our God-given future/blessing

(NIrV) — 8 Rahab went up on the roof before the spies settled down for the night.

9 She said to them, “I know that the Lord has given this land to you.

We are very much afraid of you.

Everyone who lives in this country is weak with fear because of you. 10 “We’ve heard how the Lord dried up the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt.

We’ve heard what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings.

They ruled east of the Jordan River.

You completely destroyed them.

11 “When we heard about it, our hearts melted away in fear.

Because of you, we aren’t brave anymore.

The Lord your God is the God who rules over heaven above and earth below.

See

(NIrV) — 10 Goliath continued, “This very day I dare the soldiers of Israel to send a man down to fight against me.”

11 Saul and the whole army of Israel heard what the Philistine said.

They were terrified.

(NIrV) — 26 Their people do not have any power left.

They are troubled and put to shame.

They are like plants in the field.

They are like new green plants.

They are like grass that grows on a roof.

It dries up before it is completely grown.

Moses’ personal ability hindered him to to believe God was able to use him.

(NIrV) — 6 Hard times don’t just grow out of the soil.

Trouble doesn’t jump out of the ground.

7 People are born to have trouble.

And that’s just as sure as sparks fly up.

How do we overcome discouragement:

(NIrV) — 1 Lord, don’t correct me when you are angry.

Don’t punish me when you are burning with anger. 2 You have wounded me with your arrows.

You have struck me with your hand.

3 Because of your anger, my whole body is sick.

Because of my sin, I’m not healthy.

4 My guilt has become too much for me.

It is a load too heavy to carry.

5 My wounds are ugly.

They stink.

I’ve been foolish.

I have sinned.

6 I am bent over.

I’ve been brought very low.

All day long I go around sobbing. 7 My back is filled with burning pain.

My whole body is sick.

8 I am weak.

I feel as if I’ve been broken in pieces.

I groan because of the great pain in my heart.

9 Lord, everything I really want is clearly known to you.

You always hear me when I sigh.

10 My heart pounds.

My strength is gone.

My eyes can hardly see.

11 My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds.

My neighbors stay far away from me. 12 Those who are trying to kill me set their traps.

Those who want to harm me talk about destroying me.

All day long they plan ways to trick me.