Introduction
Moses has been given his commission by God who has revealed himself as Yahweh, the covenant God, who has seen, who has come down, who sends out and the God who says, "I will be with you."
Our reluctant hero, Moses has finally been persuaded by God to undertake the mission as Priest-King to the Israelites, to free them from Egypt and lead them to a Promised Land. Remember that through this history, God is giving us a pictorial representation of what he will do in Jesus for Christian people.
Now we come to the point where Moses acts on God's commissioning and he goes to Pharaoh.
This scene, at first glance looks like a meeting between Pharaoh and Moses, both with attendant teams of people. But closer consideration leads us to reassess this. Perhaps it actually a trial of strength between Pharaoh and God. Even then, I feel that it goes deeper than that even. Pharaoh has the name of the Egyptian god Ra in the middle of his name and is a deified by the people. He represents worldly religion and idolatry. At heart, this is a battle between God and Satan. of course it is a one-sided battle but Pharaoh doesn't know that yet. Pharaoh thinks he's bargaining with Moses and Aaron, but like them he is only an emissary of his true master. Only in verses 3-4 does the conversation then become one between the representatives, but based on the position of the master they each serve.
Verses 1-2: First Principles:
Note in verse 1 that, "this is what Yahweh, the God of Israel says...", not what Moses says. Then is verse 2 we get the definitive statement from Pharaoh stating his position in the unfolding drama. He says he does not know Yahweh, implying that he can disregard this Israelite God.
It's very easy to think that just because we are sent by God to proclaim the gospel to those as yet outside the Church and teach those already within, that somehow it's all down to us and how clever we are. Fundamentally, all we need do is repeat what God has said. The rest will follow but we do need to know God's word to state it clearly.
The Strategy (verses 1- 4)
The clash between the living God and this false Egyptian god in this passage is demonstrated in these opening verses of chapter 5. Let's compares the differing strategies in various aspects.
§ Speaking & Meeting: God speaks (v1), God meets with (v3) but idols do not speak or meet with people in a relationship way and as Pharaoh represents an idol; he has nothing of any substance to say.
§ Freedom: God wants freedom, but Pharaoh wants imprisonment.
§ Work: God wants freely offered service and sacrifice but Pharaoh imposes enforced hard work.
§ Joy: God wants festival and celebration, an enjoyable life for his people. Pharaoh is not concerned about the happiness of others in the least.
God takes the suffering of people very seriously and seeks to serve his people and alleviate their suffering. Pharaoh ignores his responsibility and seeks only to have these people serve him. He even gets enjoyment and pleasure from giving increased suffering.
God builds up whilst the World tears down. Perhaps you get that impression between your work life and your Christian life?
Verse 2 is very important in Exodus. It explains why the judgement of the plagues come in the following chapters, and that is because of a lack of personal relationship with Yahweh, the covenant God. Note the first person singular emphasis (I will not obey, I do not know, I will not do. The New Testament teaches that we are all under the judgement of God ('all have sinned' says Romans), and the way to avoid judgement is to seek safety in the Lord. You actually run towards your judge and executioner, not away from him.
The Nature of the World Explored (verses 6-19)
Karl Marx observed that human beings are set apart from the animals by their creativity that finds voice in work. He developed the idea that the way in which human society is organized, our innate gift of work is abused and work is used as a weapon against us. He called it estrangement or alienation. He laid the blame at the door of the capitalists, but if he had known his Bible a little better he might have seen deeper reasons.
In verses 6-19 we see a description of alienation in human society and the sphere of work in particular. It proves Marx' point, but the deeper cause is idolatry and sin. The screw is turned full on the Israelites by their worldly masters and God's plan seems to have failed.
In verses 6-14 we can observe certain characteristics that portray the human world as it impacts people.
§ Demands for increased productivity (vv6-10, 13) that are imposed on them (v8)
§ Accusation of idleness (v8)
§ Lack of compassion
§ People are scattered (v12) and families and relationships broken up. The Western capitalist system demands that workers go where the work is and governments concede to the system, enabling the political and economic environment that breaks up family, community and social bonds. No wonder we spend so much on social care. What used to be resolved within the local community can no longer be so for there is little sense of mutual dependence and community left. Perhaps we Christians should listen yet to what socialism teaches in its finer moments?
§ Failure of leadership to lay the blame where it really belongs (v16)
§ Physical beatings (v14)
What a sad tale this is, but we are all familiar with it.
I am a Union Man (verses 15-19)
When work life gets on top of the average person they go see the boss or they talk to their union representative. The Priesthood and politicians in the shape of Moses, Aaron and the Elders appear to have made a mess of things so the union leaders have a go at fixing the world's problems. They too fail.
As we look at the world today, the Church, the Government and Big Business all say they can fix things and bring in a social utopia. Actually, the one that seems weakest of all is the one that does have the answer in the long run because of who they serve.
No one is suggesting g for a moment that the foremen should not have tried to do something. Rather they are to be congratulated, but only so far. They make one grievous mistake in their technique. Let me ask you....
Who should they have appealed to?
Who should you appeal to when you have work problems, family problems, church problems? Do you go to the people in the positions of worldly power - the movers and shakers? If you do then you've got it wrong.
Be reminded, my friend, that there is a government of governments and a supreme mover and shaker who is intimately involved and interested in every work place, every family, every fellowship across the entire world. A boss who is absolutely concerned about your personal situation and your unhappiness.
Did you speak to God before you spoke to other people? I hope so. Is it any wonder that things don't work out when you shut God out from your life! He wants to be let in, to be in relationship with you, to help you, but he cannot and will not if you won't reciprocate.
The Human Verdict (verses 20-21) Religion is often perceived to be the underlying cause of trouble in the world and a reason to reject God, his message and his messengers. And the frightening thing is that it looks such a reasonable point of view. It is especially easy to take it out on the messengers.
This seems familiar. The feeling of failure despite doing everything by the book, and the desperate, sad appeal to God
God deals with this dejection and answers this charge of inaction that he must hear all the time from Mr. or Mrs. Disgruntled by a renewed promise. he simply reminds Moses of the good news. Eight times God repeats the phrase, "I will..." and by implication he is simply telling Moses to be patient and faithfully witness until such time as God acts in judgement and salvation. I hardly need remind you how that applies to us...
We are to return always to the essence of faith, trust in the person of Christ and in his promises that we find in his word... Feeling dry and discouraged in your spiritual walk with Jesus? Get stuck into the word and thereby renew that trust and wonder at the God who works with a strong hand. It IS going to happen. Just keep on being faithful.
In 6: 9-11 things have changed. Moses is to go to Pharaoh alone with only Aaron to support him. Unlike the Israelite foremen, Moses has not wavered in his loyalty but remained true to God. And his task has become more difficult, not easier! Again, I ask you if that sounds familiar? You've kept going, others have given up, and now your load is heavier than ever. It doesn’t seem fair...at least not until you get to the Lord's throne and he tells you, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
In verses 12 and 28-30, what hasn't changed is that Moses is still grumbling about his lack of oratory skill. he is afraid he won't be believed. In 7:1 God answers Moses' dejection by providing him with authority. That will provide for the new solo witness situation that Moses finds himself in.
As we close, it is good to remember that God's word is its own authority and when we speak it faithfully we carry much the same kind of authority that Moses did all those years ago. Even if people say they do not recognise it, they know deep inside that we speak the words of God.