To Lead Invites Criticism (Exodus 5)

When we bring God’s word to people, will we often be met with resistance? Are people frequently stubborn and hard hearted? When things seem to be going wrong do we blame human leaders and God, or do we have the faith to wait patiently upon the Lord? Does the Exodus picture coming out of sin, and the devil placing obstacles in our way? Let’s look at Exodus 5.

How did Moses’ first interview with Pharaoh go? Was he stubborn as God had predicted?

Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.’” But Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.” (Exodus 5:1-2 ESV)

What was the next appeal to Pharaoh? What was his answer?

Then they answered, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us go on a three-day trip into the wilderness so that we may sacrifice to Yahweh our God, or else He may strike us with plague or sword.” The king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why are you causing the people to neglect their work? Get to your work!” Pharaoh also said, “Look, the people of the land are so numerous, and you would stop them from working.” (Exodus 5:4-6 HCSB)

What oppressive decision did Pharaoh make instead of heeding Moses’ pleas?

That day Pharaoh ordered the taskmasters of the people and their officials, “You’re no longer to give the people straw for making bricks, as in the past. They must gather straw for themselves. But you’re to impose the previous quota of bricks that they’re making. You’re not to reduce it! It is because they’re lazy that they’re crying out, ‘Let’s go offer sacrifices to our God.’ So increase the work load on the people, and let them do it so they don’t pay attention to deceptive speeches.” (Exodus 5:6-9 ISV)

Were the people now being oppressed terribly with impossible tasks?

And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spake to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw. Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished. So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw. And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw. And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day, as heretofore? (Exodus 5:10-14 KJV)

Did the Israelite supervisors appeal for mercy?

Then the foremen of the sons of Israel came and cried out to Pharaoh, saying, “Why do you deal this way with your slaves? There is no straw given to your slaves, yet they keep saying to us, ‘Make bricks!’ And behold, your slaves are being beaten; but it is the sin of your own people.” (Exodus 5:15-16 LSB)

Did Pharaoh show them mercy or just heap criticism upon them?

But he said, “You are lazy, very lazy; for that reason you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.’ So go now and work; for you will be given no straw, but you must deliver the quota of bricks.” The foremen of the sons of Israel saw that they were in trouble, since they were told, “You must not reduce your daily amount of bricks.” (Exodus 5:17-19 NASB)

Did the Israelites blame Moses for their plight? Should leaders expect to get falsely accused sometimes? Did the Israelites continue this bad habit of complaining throughout the Exodus? Is complaining common to all humanity?

When they left Pharaoh, they found Moses and Aaron waiting to meet them, and they said, “May the Lord look on you and judge you! You have made us obnoxious to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.” (Exodus 5:20-21 NIV)

Did Moses in turn blame God? Is such lack of faith common?

Then Moses went back to the Lord and protested, “Why have you brought all this trouble on your own people, Lord? Why did you send me? Ever since I came to Pharaoh as your spokesman, he has been even more brutal to your people. And you have done nothing to rescue them!” (Exodus 5:22-23 NLT)

When we bring God’s word to people, will we often be met with resistance? Are people frequently stubborn and hard hearted? When things seem to be going wrong do we blame human leaders and God, or do we have the faith to wait patiently upon the Lord? Does the Exodus picture coming out of sin, and the devil placing obstacles in our way? You decide!