God told Moses about seven things He was going to do for the children of Israel. He said that He would bring them out of Egypt and rid them of their bondage, and that He would bring great judgments upon the Egyptians. He also said that He would make them His people and that He would be their God. He promised to bring them into the land of Canaan and give it to them for an inheritance: and He fulfilled all that He promised! Now God offers something far better to you. He will save you from your sins — a worse bondage than that of the children of Israel under Pharaoh — and He will give you eternal life which is far better than dwelling in Canaan. He has said, “I will,” but are you willing?
Discouraged
When Moses brought this wonderful message to the children of Israel, they refused to listen to him because of the cruel bondage they were under. They were discouraged! Nevertheless when they knew that they could not deliver themselves, why should they not be thankful for what the Lord was going to do for them? Perhaps you are discouraged by the trials and sorrows of life, and the enemy of your soul is trying to make your heart bitter against the Lord through them. May we assure you that God loves you, and that He has allowed these things so that you may cast yourself unreservedly on Him for all you need.
After the children of Israel had refused to listen to Moses and Aaron, the brothers did not want to go to Pharaoh because they were afraid that he also would refuse to listen. However, God gave again a special instruction to go. If someone refuses to listen when we tell him about Christ, let us not be discouraged, but just carry the joyful news to others, for we also have an instruction to tell of His love to the unsaved. We will find it in Mark 16:1515And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15), “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” What a responsibility is ours!
“Weary not to tell the news,
That if thousands still refuse,
All shall be without excuse;
Jesus saves, Jesus saves.”
God Is Able
God then told Moses that He would make him as a god to Pharaoh, and Aaron as a prophet. This shows us how God can dispose the hearts of men as He pleases. He made Pharaoh listen, and kept him from harming Moses and Aaron. Yes, God is able! Let us trust Him more, and walk in obedience to His Word. Pharaoh hardened his heart, but “Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded them” (ch. 7:6).
Moses and Aaron showed Pharaoh the signs as God had told them. First Aaron cast down his rod and it became a serpent, but this time Moses was not afraid of it as before. Pharaoh then called for his wise men and they did the same with their enchantments, but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods. We do not need to fear Satan’s power if we are walking with God in obedience, for then even when Satan does display his power, he will only defeat himself as he did here. What an example of this we get in the life of the blessed Lord. He met every one of Satan’s temptations in the wilderness by the Holy Scriptures and was victorious — and we ourselves are only safe when doing the same.
Further Meditation
1. What were God’s seven promises to Israel?
2. How were other powerful unbelieving leaders in the Bible made to do God’s will?
3. There is a very nice message on the sovereignty of God found on the Audio MP3 CD Christ’s Person, God’s Character, and Our Practical Walk by C. Hendricks. The CD contains 49 other very helpful messages as well.