Moses and Pharaoh were frustrated with each other. Moses and Aaron (his brother and spokesman) met with Pharaoh. They told Pharaoh what God said, “Let My people go that they may celebrate a feast to Me in the wilderness.”
People frustrated with each other.
Pharaoh refused! He didn’t know this God they were talking about, “besides, I will not let the people go.” Exodus 5:1-2
Moses and Aaron told Pharaoh, the God of the Hebrews met with us, let us go three days journey into the wilderness to sacrifice to the LORD our God…” Exodus 5:3
Pharaoh reasoned: You are trying to draw the people away from their work – get back to work! Look, the people are many in number and you would have them stop work?
That same day Pharaoh sent out orders to the taskmasters, make slaves work harder, they are to find their own straw to make bricks. The people were to make the same number of bricks each day as they had in the past, plus get their own materials. Pharaoh thought they were lazy because they cried out, “Let us go and sacrifice to our God.” Pharaoh intentionally made their work heavier, so they would pay no attention to the “false” words of Aaron and Moses. Exodus 5:4-9
The taskmasters told the slaves of Pharaoh’s words. The foreman from the sons of Israel were beaten and held responsible for the quota of bricks not met. Exodus 5:10-14
The foremen went to Pharaoh, the quota is the same, and he knew they were in trouble. The foreman next went to Moses and Aaron, it’s your fault! We are odious in Pharaoh’s sight.
Exodus 5:15-21
Moses, where did he go? He went to the LORD. Why? You brought harm to Your people. Why? Did you not send me? Since the time I returned to Egypt, I spoke with Pharaoh in Your name, he has done nothing but harm to these people, and You have not delivered this people. Moses was frustrated with God and the situation.
Moses had a lot to learn about God and His ways. Don’t we all?
God’s Word ~ Alive!
God doesn’t always lead His children on easy paths –
our faith grows stronger
as we travel paths of difficulty and adversity.
Psalm 23:3
“… He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.”