This exposition of Exodus 5:22-6:5 by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, June 3, 2018.
Intro:
Sometimes things do not go according to plan or they don’t work out the way you expected. I have a tendency to get in trouble with my mouth.
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I say things that get me in trouble. I was sitting in chapel at OBU. It was a typical morning chapel. Everyone was talking, the service was due to begin. The president of the university stepped up to the microphone. He didn’t say a word. He expected his very presence at the pulpit would bring order. It didn’t. People continued to talk. He continued to stand there in silence willing the crowd to quiet down. I started laughing and then said something very funny. The people around me laughed. The guy behind me slapped me on the back giving hearty approval. I was a hit. The lady in front of me turned around and looked me directly in the eye. She wasn’t laughing. She was the president’s wife! I did not suffer any consequence from my failed attempt at humor, though I had the president for a preaching class that semester and I’m confident that evening, armed with the yearbook she pointed to my picture and said, “That’s the one.” Other than a moment of embarrassment and the sting of conscience there were no repercussions. That is not always the case. Usually our actions come with consequences. When those consequences are “earned” we take our licks and we move on, hopefully learning a lesson. But what happens when we suffer consequences that are not deserved? What happens when we suffer unjustly? What do you do when you suffer not for doing wrong but for doing what’s right?
We like to think that people do not suffer for doing the right thing.
We want to believe the world is just and so righteousness is applauded.
But we live in a fallen world - so the world is not always just.
And righteousness is not always applauded.
Particularly as our world becomes increasingly secular. In a secular culture standards change and what is considered good, right and true change. When culture rather than Scripture defines goodness and truth, biblical standards are often considered evil. Thus when you live according to the teaching of Scripture you may find that your actions are not applauded or even acceptable. To hold to the conviction that you ought to be in attendance at church on the Lord’s Day may cost you a job. To refuse to perform certain tasks demanded by your employer, because it would cause you to violate your religious convictions, may bring sanctions or worse. Your faith may cost you a friendship or even alienate you from your family. In a culture at odds with biblical faith, your faith will become costly.
Moses was hesitant but he did eventually obey. God spoked to him from the midst of the bush that burned and while he was reluctant to believe, he did believe. He gathered his family and his possessions and with the approval of his father-in-law he headed back to Egypt. He met up with his brother at Horeb, the mountain of God. Aaron joined him in the task God had given. They, together, met with the elders of Israel and the people rejoiced because God had heard their cries, He saw their affliction and He had come down to deliver them. Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and demanded the release of the Hebrew people.
But things went from bad to worse.
Now, in addition to making bricks they would gather their own straw.
Further they would meet the same quota on the bricks.
Their work greatly increase and demand remained the same.
Further their leaders were beaten for failing to meet demands.
Moses obeyed the call of God.
He was faithful, passionate, bold and sincere.
Pharaoh rebuked him and the people of Israel rejected him.
What do you do when you try to do things God’s way and it just makes things worse? What do you do when trouble is the reward for doing the right thing? What do you do when biblical faith just doesn’t pay? Our text this morning is found at the end of Exodus chapter 5 into the first part of chapter 6.
Text: Exodus 5:22-6:5
It just doesn’t pay - isn’t that the bottom line for most folks?
What’s in this for me?
What do I get out of this?
Too often this is our whole approach to faith. Our focus is not on what is true or right but what works and how does it benefit me? Pragmatism rules the day. We most often respond as the Hebrew foremen responded. They went to Pharaoh to see if they could strike a deal. They went to their oppressor and sought relief. As if their slave master would grant freedom or relief. How are we to respond?
Thesis: When shaken and discouraged by life’s troubles believers find relief and comfort in God’s sovereignty and His faithfulness.
Moses is shaken by what has happened and understandably so. He had such hopes. Things really seemed to be on track when he went to Pharaoh. He did what he was supposed to do. He said what he was supposed to say - so why did things get worse? Okay, maybe Pharaoh wouldn’t agree but the people are suffering even more than before. It was unbearable to begin with now it’s worse?
There are two things I want us to note in this text. Two things that we must understand and embrace, especially in a hostile culture.
- In times of distress and trouble believers bring their fears, heartaches and frustrations directly to the throne of God seeking answers. (5:22-23)
- When overwhelmed by trials and troubles it is enough to know that God is sovereign and He is faithful to His promise. (6:1-5)
Conclusion:
1500 years later, He remembered that covenant again and sent the Lord Jesus!
It was remembered on Christmas morning.
It was remembered on Good Friday.
It was remembered on Easter Sunday morning!
“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant…” Hebrews 13:20
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