Daily Devotions
Exodus
"Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad." Proverbs 12:25
Text: Exodus 5 : 20-23
FADING OF FAITH
Frustration, fear and anger can affect people adversely. Not so long ago, on hearing the word from Moses that God had come to deliver His people, there was great hope.
“So the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD
had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on
their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.”
EXODUS 4:31
After the fiasco of an interview with Pharaoh, the children of Israel vented their frustration on Moses and Aaron.
“Then, as they came out from Pharaoh, they met Moses and Aaron
who stood out 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.”
EXODUS 5:20-21
“Let the LORD look on you and judge”
This was the equivalent of calling on God to deal severely with Moses and Aaron for being the cause of their problem with Pharaoh.
“You have made us abhorrent in the sight of Pharaoh”
Did the Hebrew slaves ever enjoy the favour of the Pharaoh? If ever they did, they were conscious that the Pharaoh now looked on them with venomous hate!
“To put a sword in their hand to kill us”
This was the bottom line. The children of Israel were afraid that they would all be exterminated by Pharaoh and his servants!
AS YET INEXPERIENCED
What could Moses do? He had never served God in any capacity before, but he was now supposed to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt! Had God made a mistake somehow? Discouraged, Moses poured out his heart to God.
“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.'”
EXODUS 5:22-23
This was the first setback Moses experienced. It was also a very severe one. Inexperience, both in faith and service , took a heavy toll on him! His spirit quavered!