God’s Saving Word: Mercy and Forgiveness
Introduction
Exodus 5:22—6:13: Moses complains to the LORD and questions the task he has been given. God speaks to Moses again and tells him about the covenant made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and promises to free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. When Moses tells the Israelites what God has said, they refuse to listen to him.
Scripture Reading
Moses Complains to the Lord
22 Then Moses turned to the Lord again and said, “Lord, why do you mistreat your people? Why did you send me here? 23 Ever since I went to the king to speak for you, he has treated them cruelly. And you have done nothing to help them!”
6 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you are going to see what I will do to the king. I will force him to let my people go. In fact, I will force him to drive them out of his land.”
God Calls Moses
2 God spoke to Moses and said, “I am the Lord. 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as Almighty God, but I did not make myself known to them by my holy name, the Lord.[a] 4 I also made my covenant with them, promising to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they had lived as foreigners. 5 Now I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians have enslaved, and I have remembered my covenant. 6 So tell the Israelites that I say to them, ‘I am the Lord; I will rescue you and set you free from your slavery to the Egyptians. I will raise my mighty arm to bring terrible punishment upon them, and I will save you. 7 I will make you my own people, and I will be your God. You will know that I am the Lord your God when I set you free from slavery in Egypt. 8 I will bring you to the land that I solemnly promised to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and I will give it to you as your own possession. I am the Lord.’” 9 Moses told this to the Israelites, but they would not listen to him, because their spirit had been broken by their cruel slavery.
10 Then the Lord said to Moses, 11 “Go and tell the king of Egypt that he must let the Israelites leave his land.”
12 But Moses replied, “Even the Israelites will not listen to me, so why should the king? I am such a poor speaker.”
13 The Lord commanded Moses and Aaron: “Tell the Israelites and the king of Egypt that I have ordered you to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.”
Today’s Key Verse: Exodus 6:13
The LORD commanded Moses and Aaron: “Tell the Israelites and the king of Egypt that I have ordered you to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.”
Reflect
What does Moses say to the LORD (5:22, 23)? How does the LORD respond (6:1)?
What does God tell Moses to say to the Israelites (verses 6-8)? Why do the Israelites refuse to listen to Moses (verse 9)? What does God command Moses and Aaron to do (verse 13)? What are your thoughts concerning how Moses might be feeling at this time?
Pray
All-Powerful God, even when a situation seems hopeless, I know I can turn to you. You are my God and you are with me, watching over me and guiding me. Teach me to continue to listen for your voice and to place my trust in you. Amen.
And now, join us in praising God that people in the Philippines are drawing near to Jesus. Loving God, thanks to the generosity of Bible-A-Month Partners, thousands of Bibles and audio Bibles are being provided to families, senior citizens, and youth who cannot afford a Bible in poverty-stricken areas throughout the Philippines. People are now accepting Jesus as their Lord and committing their lives to Christ. Praise to you, Lord God, that the people in the Philippines now claim that they can hear you speaking to them. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Exodus 6:28—7:13: The king of Egypt remains stubborn and refuses to release the Israelites.