Israel’s Trouble, God’s Promises Series

One moment there was a miracle, unity, crowd support and the next moment a harsh rebuke. What would you do in Moses’ place? With these difficulties and discouragement where would you turn? We need to let the difficulties make us better, not bitter. Moses returned to the Lord.

Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? (Exodus 5:22)

We serve the Lord in our troubles. Discouragement brought Moses to God. He wanted to ask God if he was going to deliver His people. Moses was making an honest inquiry from his heart. Israel’s troubles are met by God’s Promises.

Twelve promises of God in Moses troubles:

1. The Mighty hand of God (Exodus 6:1).

2. Pharaoh will let God’s people go (Exodus 6:1).

3. I am the Lord (Exodus 6:2).

4. I am God and appeared to the patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 6:3).

5. I will be even closer to you Moses (Exodus 6:2).

6. God established his covenant with the Israelites (Exodus 6:4).

7. God has heard the groaning of the Israelites (Exodus 6:5).

8. God remembers the covenant (Exodus 6:5).

9. I will free you from being slaves (Exodus 6:6).

10. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm (Exodus 6:6).

11. I will take you as my people (Exodus 6:7).

12. The promise land will be yours (Exodus 6:8).

God’s promises were greater that Israel’s troubles. God’s promises gave Moses’ strength to lead. Now he must encourage the people who turned against him.

Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor. (Exodus 6:9).

The Israelites were not convinced. Now after all this even Moses was discouraged to the point of paralysis. God told Moses to return to Pharaoh and tell him again. Essentially Moses tells God to get someone else to do this.

But Moses said to the LORD, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I speak with faltering lips?” (Exodus 6:12).

Spiritual leadership takes a commitment. These are the first steps for Moses in this phase of leadership that will last for forty years. He continually faced the same difficulties. If God has called you to a position of spiritual leadership there will no doubt be difficulties.

• Seek God in prayer.

• Do no quit.

• Remember the promises of God are greater than the troubles you face.

Who called you into a position of spiritual leadership? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Because you are on this side of the cross the Lord will be closer to you than he was to Moses. The patriarchs longed for the relationship we have with God in Christ. God, I am who I am, sent you.

God’s purposes will prevail. When difficulties come let them draw you closer to God. God’s promises are greater than your troubles.