Exodus 5:15-6:1 Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, saying, Why deal you thus with your servants?… I. ISRAEL'S EXPOSTULATION WITH PHARAOH (15-19). They complain to him of the wrongs they suffer; but he who does not hear God will not listen to man. 1. It was reasonable to expect that their remonstrance might lead to redress. Pharaoh's decree might have. been issued under momentary irritation. 2. They came with humility and modesty. They brought no railing accusation. They used no threats. They did not even make. a silent show of their strength. And yet the only outcome of their appeal is deeper grief, more utter hopelessness (19). They who have no hope but in man will find little to sustain them. II. THEIR UPBRAIDING OF MOSES AND AARON (20, 21). 1. They spoke truth. The demand, for liberty of worship had been seized by Pharaoh as a pretext for more oppressive measures. 2. They did not speak the whole truth. God and his purpose were kept out of sight. They were counted as nothing. How often is this done in our despondency and murmuring! 3. Their reproaches, though met by silence and grief equal to their own, brought no help to them. There is as little help in upbraiding friends for failure as in spreading their injustice before foes. III. MOSES' CRY TO GOD. 1. He "returned to the Lord." He did not seek in unburden his soul even to Aaron. The first step to help is to seek God's presence. 2. The holy boldness of his prayer. The grieved spirit is poured out. There is nothing kept back. God does not complain of our boldness, but of our restraining prayer before him. 3. God's answer (Exodus 6:1). (1) This very failure shows God's truth (Exodus 4:21). (2) God shall fight for them: "Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh." (3) Pharaoh's wrath and power will serve only to make their deliverance perfect. He will "drive them out of his land." Israel found no consolation; Moses does. - U. Parallel Verses KJV: Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants? |
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