The Life of Moses (6)

God had spoken clearly to Moses and called him to be His servant. Although Moses objected and expressed that he dared not, could not, but really also would not, the Lord told him he would have to go. Aaron would be his helper and speak God’s message.

The contempt of Pharaoh

It was an encouragement for God’s servant that he met his brother at the place where the Lord had told him, the mount of God. Then Moses told Aaron all that the Lord had spoken and the signs which He had commanded him. Before Moses and Aaron went to the king of Egypt, they gathered together the elders of the children of Israel. Aaron then spoke to them “all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people.” The people were convinced; they believed, the Bible says. With reverence “they bowed their heads and worshipped.” Soon after, however, it would appear that their belief was as changeable as the wind. An historical or temporary faith is far from sufficient. We can receive the word with joy, but without saving faith it shall not profit us for the great eternity. Yet, there was great reverence in the heart of the Israelites. The Lord had taken notice (Exodus 3:16) and had seen their misery: “And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:17).

Greatly encouraged, God’s servants went to Pharaoh. The request was, “Let My people go, that they may hold a feast unto Me in the wilderness.” What was Pharaoh’s reaction? “Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go?” (Exodus 5:2b). How did he dare to say this? He showed contempt for Israel’s God and His people. He dared to say, “I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.” Pharaoh showed himself unwilling to grant even the least request. God had foretold this in Chapter 3:19, “And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand.” The oppression of Israel

Pharaoh made life even more difficult for the Israelites. Pharaoh increased the burdens. Straw was no longer given, which was used in the making of bricks. The Israelites had to gather this themselves, yet production of the same number of bricks was required. Pharaoh wanted to increase the workload so that the people would have no hope left in what Moses had told them. This is not an unknown approach of the adversary in the life of a poor sinner. When the devil recognizes the first workings of the Spirit, he at once puts forth every effort to retain his victims. The burdens are increased. The poor woman suffering from the issue of blood, though she had spent all that she had, was getting worse rather than better. The burdens became so heavy for the Israelites that the foremen dared to request an audience with Pharaoh to complain about the treatment of those who were his slaves. However, it was without favorable results. Pharaoh said, “Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD.” The officers or foremen of the children of Israel were angry with Moses and Aaron and said, “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 5:21b). Oh, how discouraging must this have been for Moses and Aaron!

What a mystery. The Lord has begun with the deliverance of His people. When God works, then we expect that we will be happy and joyful. However, the reality is different.

A) The enemy fastens his grip; he tries what he can to destroy.

B) The need of the people is increasingly experienced. Likewise, such an awakened sinner, though he may initially have some hope for improvement, seems to go backward. Bosom sins can be so powerful, the world can allure, and their own flesh can seem to get more corrupt. What is the purpose of this? It is that they might know from what the Lord has delivered them! God always works toward a wonder, a miracle, through impossibilities.

The comforting of Moses

Those angry officers had accused Moses and Aaron. This must have been painful for the two of them. Moses now sought the Lord and said, “Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that Thou hast sent me?” Moses was also but a son of man. He reproached the Lord that He had not rescued His people. By this he ignored what the Lord had already told him. It seemed to be a riddle to Moses. He was disappointed because of Pharaoh’s cruel measures and his people’s reaction. What he did not understand was that the Israelites would be led out in a just way; God’s justice would be revealed and glorified. Righteous judgments would come upon Pharaoh and a just deliverance of Israel. The Lord waits His time. He delays deliverance. Pharaoh would harden his heart even more, but God would show much longsuffering and, clearly, His righteousness. Israel needed also to be further humbled so that they would more appreciate God’s deliverance when it would come.

Also God’s servants can be too hasty, too impatient, and reason too much instead of, by grace, doing what God’s Word says, that is, “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.” What a difference there was between Moses and the great Servant, Christ! Moses had his first contradiction, and now he already wanted to resign. Of Christ we read in Hebrews 12:3, “For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” Christ never said that He was wearied of His task, nor did He say, “Why is it that Thou hast sent Me?” He could say, “I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do.” He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Oh, if it would be left up to us, even with the clearest calling and perhaps after many confirmations, to continue in the face of opposition, enmity, and the assaults of the devil, then it would be a hopeless case. Then Paul could never have said, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). However, the Lord knows that we are but dust, and He will not let His people perish in the journey through the wilderness.

In Exodus 6, God encouraged Moses and said unto him, “I am the LORD.” Also, in verse 4 of Chapter 6, He told Moses, “And I have also established My covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers.” That covenant stands firm and sure whatever may come against God’s work and no matter how impossible it may seem from our side. He will not alter what He has spoken; therefore, Moses and all God’s servants may go in the strength of the LORD to declare His Righteousness, His only. God’s name and His honor will be glorified in His covenant dealings, and God’s children will once sing not only of all the riddles but also of deliverances. It will not be by their strength or wisdom or faithfulness that they will inherit the land, the inheritance that the Lord has prepared for them.

(To be continued)

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