Three Complaints

Sermon 12 in Series

Exodus 5:15-6:1
[15] Then the foremen of the people of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, “Why do you treat your servants like this? [16] No straw is given to your servants, yet they say to us, ‘Make bricks!’ And behold, your servants are beaten; but the fault is in your own people.” [17] But he said, “You are idle, you are idle; that is why you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.’ [18] Go now and work. No straw will be given you, but you must still deliver the same number of bricks.” [19] The foremen of the people of Israel saw that they were in trouble when they said, “You shall by no means reduce your number of bricks, your daily task each day.” [20] They met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting for them, as they came out from Pharaoh; [21] and they said to them, “The LORD look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.”

[22] Then Moses turned to the LORD and said, “O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me? [23] 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.”

[1] But the LORD said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; for with a strong hand he will send them out, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land.”
DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How does this passage illustrate God’s testing of his people? What does he accomplish in us through these tests?
2.   What is the reaction of the foremen to Pharaoh’s cruel rejection of their complaint? What is their attitude towards Moses and Aaron?
3.   How can trials overshadow the content of our faith? How can we practically immerse ourselves in Scripture during times of suffering and unmet expectations?
4.   How does Moses respond to the people’s curse? What does this say to Christian leaders?5.   What is your impression of Moses’ complaint to God? What is worthy of emulation and what is not?
6.   What does God’s response to Moses’ complaint teach us about his character? Where have we already seen this in Exodus?
References: Exodus 4:30-31; 1 Peter 1:5-8; Jeremiah 20:18; 2 Corinthians 12:7-8.