March 23, 2025
Exodus 5:1-2
Exodus 5:3
Howard Vos summarized the harsh conditions that brick workers like the Hebrews had to endure in Egypt.
“They worked out in the hot Egyptian sun all day (often in temperatures over 100 degrees), driven to optimum production by their taskmasters. They had no hats to protect their heads and wore nothing but a brief kilt or apron on their bodies…A wealthy Egyptian father talked with his son about the condition of their bricklayers. He observed that their ‘kidneys suffer because they are out in the sun…with no clothes on.’ Their hands are ‘torn to ribbons by the cruel work.’ And they have to ‘knead all sorts of muck.’ Certainly no one stood by to give the workers a drin every few minutes. It does not take much imagination to conclude that the severe ‘rigor’ imposed on the Hebrews resulted in many of them dying of dehydration, heat prostration, heatstroke and the like.”
Exodus 5:4-17
“Pharaoh is an Old Testament Herod; he represents the seed of the serpent, which seeks to kill the seed of the woman.” Unknown
Satan seeks to divide God’s people from their leaders
Exodus 5:22-23
The comfort: There will be seasons of doubt. That is normal.
The warning: Don’t allow your doubt to distance you from God. Run to Him not away!
Contrasting Pharoah and the LORD
Pharoah demands work and no rest
The LORD provides for rest
Our taskmaster is sin (Romans 6:20-21)
Jesus is the only rescuer! (Romans 6:22-23)