Introduction: Put yourself in Moses’ place. You are demanding that the most powerful man in Egypt give you an asset that is central to his national economy. If you are not expecting a lot of resistance, you have no common sense.

Recently, I was told that anyone who is faithful to God should expect trouble because Satan will target you. Maybe. My observation, supported by the Moses’ story, is that most of our troubles result from our own bad decisions. We want to blame Satan instead of admitting our mistakes. Satan can resist God, but this story is about how one of the most powerful nations in the world was no match for our God. Let’s plunge into our study of the Bible and begin the story about what happens to those who think they are superior to our God!

I. The Pharaoh Experience

A. Read Exodus 4:29-31. Has Moses resolved the issue of whether the Hebrews will believe him? (They are now worshiping the true God.)

B. Read Exodus 5:1-2. Is this the question you would ask if you were Pharaoh? (I would want to know what god is telling me to give up my valuable asset.

1. Is Pharaoh’s view on whether he should free the Hebrew slaves dependent upon the nature of the Hebrew God? (No. Pharaoh wants to know which god is telling him this, but he says that, regardless, he is not going to let the slaves go.)

C. Read Exodus 5:3. What kind of answer is this to Pharaoh’s question about who is this god to which he is supposed to listen? (First they identify their God as “the God of the Hebrews.” Is that persuasive? Pharaoh made that God’s people slaves. Why not say He is the great God of the universe? Second, they give this story that they want to travel for three days to worship their God. I’m certain Pharaoh considered this to be a ruse. Last, they said that if they did not worship, they would be punished. Why would Pharaoh care about that?)

1. Who suggested this opening statement to Pharaoh? (Read Exodus 3:18. God told them to make the first two statements! He did not say He would punish the Hebrews if they did not go on this retreat. Rather, God said that Pharaoh would not voluntarily agree. Exodus 3:19.)

2. What is God’s strategy in this recommended answer? (God wants to identify with the Hebrews. He does not need grand words to describe Himself, His actions will speak for Him.)

3. Why a three-day journey? Is there something special about that distance? (Yes. The Adam Clarke commentary reveals this is the distance from Goshen to Sinai.)

D. Read Exodus 5:5-8. Is Pharaoh’s tough response suggested by the comments of Moses and Aaron? (Yes. They ask if the people can take a three-day retreat. Pharaoh responds that if they have time for a retreat, they are not working hard enough.)

E. Read Exodus 5:9. Whose “lying words” are referred to here? (Pharaoh is talking about Moses and Aaron.)

F. Let’s skip down and continue this conversation. Read Exodus 5:16-19. How would you react if you were one of the foremen?

G. Read Exodus 5:20-21. How serious do the foremen see the problem of the increased work? (They think Hebrews will die because of it.)

1. What do you think about the foremen going to Pharaoh instead of Moses and Aaron? (The Hebrews were not committed to Moses being their spokesman. This showed a weakness to Pharaoh.)

H. Read Exodus 5:22-23. Think about the words of Moses to God. Is Moses right? Are these words what God needs to hear? Or is Moses a terrible leader? (Instead of encouraging the Hebrews to have faith in God, he joins with those who are complaining.)

II. God’s Response

A. Read Exodus 6:1. What different view of the future is God giving Moses? (God is not saying that Pharaoh will reluctantly let His people go. Rather God is saying that Pharaoh will drive them out. It will be Pharaoh’s idea that they should leave.)

B. Read Exodus 6:2-3. Why is God talking about using a new name? (Commentaries that I consulted assert that God is not saying that the name He is using now (Yahweh) is new. Instead, God is saying that He did not previously reveal His full power to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.)

C. Read Exodus 6:4-8. How would you describe God’s message to His people? (The deliverance of the people is part of fulfilling a very old plan. This is not some new decision.)

D. Read Exodus 6:9. Does the new message do the job? (No. The Hebrews are broken.)

1. Have you had that experience? That you just feel broken and God cannot get through to you?

2. Have you had that experience with others? That you have a hard time bringing God’s message of encouragement because they are broken?

E. Read Exodus 6:10-12. We understand Moses’ logic. Pharaoh did not believe him before, the people do not believe him now, why should he go to Pharaoh a second time? What does Moses mean when he calls his lips “uncircumcised?” (Circumcision was the ancient sign of a relationship with God. Moses is likely saying he is unworthy.)

1. Would you agree that Moses is unworthy? (I would. Moses is almost as much of a problem as the slaves. Of course that is easy for us to say since we are not in the middle of this fire.)

F. We will not read Exodus 6:14-25. On the surface this section seems bizarre. In this dispute with Pharaoh, and the failing faith of God’s people, we are strangely presented with a genealogy. Let’s see if we can understand this. Read Exodus 6:26-30. Is this an answer to Moses’ claim (repeated in verse 30) that he has uncircumcised lips? (God is answering Moses’ claim of being unworthy. God essentially replies, “Who is more worthy than you? Look at the line of your ancestors.”)

G. Read Exodus 7:1-2. “I have made you like God to Pharaoh.” Would that encourage you? Would it strengthen you?

H. Read Exodus 7:3-5. Is the future easier when you understand how events will take place?

1. Notice that God refers to what He is about to do as “acts of judgment.” What is the basis for this judgment? (There seems to be a list. Defying God. Enslaving the Hebrews. Retaliating against the people for Moses’ demands.)

2. Another thing to notice in verse four is the reference to God’s people as “hosts.” The KJV translates this as “armies.” The word means “organized for war.” Why would God put it that way when He is doing all the fighting?

I. Read Exodus 7:6-7. Why mention the ages of Moses and Aaron? (These are not young men. The point is that God is the power here, not humans.)

1. Are you ever too old to be in a partnership with God?

J. Read Exodus 7:8-11. What would you say now if you were Moses?

1. Did God know that the Egyptian sorcerers could do this? If the answer is, “Yes,” then why would God suggest this sign?

2. What kind of power do you think these sorcerers used? (This is Satanic power. Look at 2 Thessalonians 2:9 and 2 Timothy 3:8. The leaders of the sorcerers are even named. Satan has the ability to perform “great signs and wonders.” Matthew 24:24.)

K. Read Exodus 7:12. Are you now convinced of the power of God?

L. Read Exodus 7:13. Pharaoh is not convinced. Is this good for God? (We will turn next week to see God revealing His true power.)

M. Friend, do you have times in your life when things are not going well? Do you fee discouraged? God loves you and cares for you. God has the power to change the circumstances of your life. Will you trust Him? Why not make that decision right now?

III. Next week: The Plagues

Copr. 2025, Bruce N. Cameron, J.D. Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Suggested answers are found within parentheses. If you normally receive this lesson by e-mail, but it is lost one week, you can find it by clicking on this link: http://www.GoBible.org. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as you study.

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