The Problem, The Pain, The Promise: The Choice Is Yours

I. Introduction

A. The Word of the Lord

1. Exodus6: 1. Moses sorrowed because his demand for freedom ironically had increased his people’s burden, not eased it.

2. So the Lord comforted and reassured his messenger, speaking to Moses twice (indicated by the word “also” in v. 2).

3. God assured Moses that He would indeed deliver His people.

4. He was arranging circumstances so that Pharaoh would let them go and would even compel them to do so.

5. All this would be because of God’s mighty.

6. 6:2-5. Then God reminded Moses of His character as revealed in His name Yahweh (cf. 3:14).

7. As the Lord, Yahweh, He is with His own and is always faithful and true to them.

a. Was not God known by the name Yahweh to the patriarchs Abraham . . . Isaac, and Jacob?

b. Yes, He had been (e.g., Gen. 13:4).

c. But He mainly appeared to them as God Almighty

d. El Shaddai, the One who provides or sustains

e. He had not displayed Himself to the patriarchs primarily by the name Yahweh.

8. God meant that now He was revealing Himself to Moses not only as Sustainer and Provider, but also as the Promise-Keeper,

a. The One who was personally related to His people

b. And would redeem them.

9. 6:6-8. God then told Moses to put aside his broken spirit and feelings of inadequacy and return to the people.

10. Seven times in these three verses God said I will, thus emphasizing that He is the promise-keeping God.

a. Deliverance from Egypt (v. 6: I will bring you out . . . I will free you . . . I will redeem you),

b. Possession of the people as His own (v. 7),

c. And the gift of the land (v. 8).

11. I am the Lord. The people’s deliverance would become the basis of a covenantal relationship that would result in their being in the land.

12. God’s redeeming them with an outstretched arm (v. 6) meant that His power would be evident

13. And the uplifted hand (Ex. 6:8) was a gesture used when making an oath (as it still is today)

14. Moses’ sagging spirit was again reinforced by a revelation of God’s character and purposes.

15. 6:9. With renewed vigor Moses returned to his people with God’s words,

a. But the burden of their oppression caused them not to listen.

b. Tragically they forgot their initial response to Moses and Aaron (4:31).

16. Verse 9b: . . .. but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.

B. The Real Issue

1. The Word of the Moses?

2. The Word of Pharaoh?

3. The Length of Bondage?

4. The Cruelty of the Slavery?

5. Perhaps a combination of all of the above?

6. The real issue is often not that there is a way out of a dilemma

a. Or that it has been a long time coming

b. Or that it seems too good to be true

7. Often the real the dilemma is that we choose problems and pain over the promise of God

8. No you say?

9. Then why is the problem still unresolved?

10. You have prayed and cried

11. You have cried and prayed

12. Maybe you are in denial

13. Two things are evident

14. Either we are waiting on God

a. There is the silent sovereign will of God

b. As in the case of Lazarus who was allowed to die, to give God the glory through his resurrection

15. Or God is waiting on us.

a. We have embraced the problem and pain, and

b. Given up on the promise

16. Which will you choose today?

II. The Problem and the Pain

A. The Problem

1. Definition:

a. An obstacle or challenge or any situation that invites resolution

b. It is regarded as unwelcome and needing to be overcome

c. Origin: “To throw under”

2. A problem implies that there is a desired outcome coupled with an apparent deficiency that prevents the outcome from taking place.

a. What is the deficiency?

b. What is missing in this problem – sin, confusion, chaos, etc.?

c. Obedience

d. Faith

e. Humility

f. Little foxes destroy the vine

g. Nothing big

h. Just you

3. You desire peace, happiness, holiness, but now all seems hopeless

a. Stopped praying about it

b. It is a chip on your shoulder

c. It irritates you for me to talk about it now

4. When does the desire go away?

5. How did you lose your desire?

6. The problem is still there even when the answer is given

a. Hard headed

b. Stubborn

c. Strong-willed woman + stubborn man = More Problems

7. Life is filled with problems because it is a journey none of us have completed before