Exodus 5 reminds me of the old expression: “Like talking to a brick wall”. It can be apathy, distraction, or distain, but some people simply will not engage in meaningful conversation. The disengaged ask questions that are designed to dismiss. Today’s lesson is about the big questions of life. The chapter begins with Moses and Aaron telling Pharaoh God’s Word: “The Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Let My people go, so that they may hold a festival to Me in the wilderness.’” His response indicates his annoyance: “Who is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go.” Obviously, he is not seeking information. Questions become insults when there is no desire to listen to the response. Pharaoh believed himself to be god. Some of the most “religious” people I know refuse to acknowledge any authority above self. Moses requests a break for the Hebrew people: “Let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God”. Pharaoh complains: “Why are you taking the people away from their labor? Get back to your work!” The problem with self-worshipers is, every problem is someone else’s fault. Often their anger is directed toward a created enemy group. Pharaoh rejects God’s Word, and rather than listen, he lashes out. “Pharaoh gave this order to the slave drivers and overseers: “You are no longer to supply the people with straw for making bricks; let them go and gather their own straw.” Intolerant self-worshipers demand privilege they deny to their chosen foe. Rules for thee, but not for me. They get satisfaction when the “unworthy” suffer: “But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don’t reduce the quota.” Notice that he does not interact with the “little people”. He sees the Hebrews people as just slaves. Friend, do you dismiss any group as unworthy?
Next we see the classic “Labor v Management” scenario demonstrated on a national level. The king says: “They are lazy; that is why they are crying out”. His solution is simple: “Make the work harder for the people so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies.” The ivory tower exists today. Any leader that is isolated from the masses will be out of touch. They will not understand the impact of their decisions until until it is too late. Middle management carried out Pharaoh’s orders. “Then the slave drivers and the overseers went out and said to the people… ‘Go and get your own straw wherever you can find it, but your work will not be reduced at all’.” Taking away benefits only compounds the error: “Pharaoh’s slave drivers beat the Israelite overseers they had appointed, demanding, ‘Why haven’t you met your quota of bricks?’” In desperation, the Israelite overseers try to appeal to Pharaoh: “Why have you treated your servants this way?” The obvious problem is that they stopped providing the straw to the Israelites: “Your servants are being beaten, but the fault is with your own people.” Great leaders always listen to feedback from the field.
Pharaoh does not listen, instead he resorts to name-calling: “Lazy, that’s what you are!” When dialog sinks to screeching, questions become tools to attack. The Israelite overseers then found Moses and Aaron to blame them for Pharaoh’s decision: “May the Lord look on you and judge you!” They charge Moses: “You have made us obnoxious to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.” They distort reality, as if being a slave was pretty cool before Moses messed things up. After this Moses returned to God with an accusation in the form of a question: “Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Is this why You sent me?” So often we ask God the “why questions” in anger. God is not offended. He is patient beyond our comprehension. Psalm 103:8-10 describes God’s nature: “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love… He does not treat us… according to our iniquities”. The chapter ends with Moses questioning God’s motives. “Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and You have not rescued Your people at all.” As always, God responds by keeping His promises. Friend, are you mad at God? He has not turned away, nor rejected you. Jesus said: “ask… seek… knock”. Are you ready to ask sincere questions?