God’s story in god’s people

Have you ever noticed that God does not comfort those who are already comfortable? He shakes things up, puts us on a bumpy path, and then leads us the long way around. Right when we think we’ve hit a smooth stretch and start relying on our skills and personality again—which is our tendency—there he goes, shaking things up again.

When God delivered Israel from Egypt, he did not take them on the shortest route to the promised land. The Philistines were guarding the area, and God knew Israel was not yet ready for battle.

Today, we are going to see that when God delivered Israel from Egypt, he took them on an unexpected route.

While the prior plagues were unleashed on the Egyptians, all the Israelites and their livestock were shielded by God and spared from any devastation. For the final plague, God made special arrangements with his people. He would protect them if they obeyed him. It was all about the blood of the lamb.

In our passage today, as Pharaoh endures plague after plague, his heart remains hardened and closed off to God. Therefore, God continues to give Pharaoh over to his desires, which bring havoc to the land and its people. Remember, the plagues were not only to punish Egypt but also to confirm to the Israelites that their God was the one true God. 

The Israelites turned on Moses for bringing more trouble and hardship into their lives. Moses turned on God, complaining, “O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has done evil to this people, and you have not delivered your people at all” (Ex. 5:22-23).

The date is 1446 BC. The place is Egypt. The interaction is between Moses and Pharaoh. As always, the central figure is God—the powerful and personal God of Israel.

Today, we want to consider an event in Moses' life that seems out of the blue, so to speak. When I read this account, I think, ‘What in the world just happened?’ Instead of glossing over this part, let’s take a closer look. I believe there is an important lesson to be learned.

Kent had a problem. He felt called by God to ministry, but that conflicted with his desire to earn enough money to live without financial worries. Kent’s dad lost his job when Kent was growing up, and the family struggled to make ends meet. Kent didn’t want his family to endure that hardship. He wasn’t expecting to become wealthy, but he did want to be comfortable. He was concerned that being in full-time ministry couldn’t provide the security he desired. Kent was reluctant to do what God wanted him to do.[1]