Exodus 4.27-6.1 Psalm86 Exode 4.27-6.1 Psaumes 86
Hebrews 10. 19-25 John 10.22-end
Hébreux 10.19-25 Jean 10. 22- fin
Hebrews 10. 19-25 John 10.22-end
Hébreux 10.19-25 Jean 10. 22- fin
In this
Exodus reading we hear of the efforts of Moses and Aaron to convince Pharaoh to
free the Israelites. This is their first attempt and Pharaoh is cynical and
unimpressed with their demands, replying: “Who is the Lord, that I should obey him
and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go.”
To
convince them he is in charge, Pharaoh orders straw no longer be given to build
the bricks he requires of them. Without going into the technical requirements
of ancient brick building, this order greatly increases the Israelites’
workload. They must still produce the requisite number of bricks, but with
greatly reduced resources.
Do we
not as modern Christians often feel like that? We never seem to have enough
time, money or energy to do the work required of us, especially when we try to
be good Christians, too. We never seem to get ahead, and the secular world
regularly takes away our straw, through taxes, traffic jams, terrorist threats,
job insecurity, health problems, unexpected repairs, bills, relationship
problems, and all the other stresses- large and small-of daily life.
David
echoes our feelings in the Psalm. “Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor
and needy.” Just as with Pharaoh “arrogant foes are attacking me, O God,
ruthless people are trying to kill me-they have no regard for you.”
Yet the
Lord hears our cries. He tells Moses His mighty hand will force Pharaoh to let
them go. The Israelites must still go through the plagues and flight from
Egypt, but God keeps his promise. Let us like David strive to be trusting and
patient: “Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you…for great
is your love toward me…you have delivered me from the depths.”
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