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Day 53 – Opposition Exodus 5:1 Afterward Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh, “Thus says the LORD God (Jehovah Elohiym) of Israel: ‘Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’” 2 Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD (Jehovah), that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD (Jehovah), nor will I let Israel go.” 3 They said, “The God (Elohiym) of the Hebrews has met with us. Please, let us go three days’ journey into the desert and sacrifice to the LORD (Jehovah) our God (Elohiym), lest He fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.” 4 Then the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people from their work? Get back to your labor.” 5 Pharaoh said, “Look, the people of the land are many now, and you make them rest from their labor!” 6 The same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their officers, saying, 7 “You will no longer give the people straw to make brick as before. Let them go and gather straw for themselves. 8 You will lay on them the quota of bricks which they made before. You will not reduce it. For they are idle; therefore, they cry out, saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’ 9 Let more work be laid on the men, that they may labor in it, and let them not regard false words.” 10 The taskmasters of the people and their officers went out and spoke to the people, saying, “Thus says Pharaoh: ‘I will not give you straw. 11 Go, get yourselves straw where you can find it; yet none of your work will be reduced.’” 12 The people scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw. 13 The taskmasters forced them to hurry, saying, “Fulfill your work, your daily quota, as when there was straw.” 14 Also the officers of the children of Israel, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters set over them, were beaten and asked, “Why have you not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and today, as before?” 15 Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried out to Pharaoh, saying, “Why are you dealing thus with your servants? 16 There is no straw given to your servants, and they say to us, ‘Make brick!’ Indeed, your servants are beaten, but the fault is in your own people.” 17 But he said, “You are idle! Idle! Therefore, you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.’ 18 Therefore, go now and work; for no straw will be given to you, yet you will deliver the quota of bricks.” 19 The officers of the children of Israel saw that they were in trouble after it was said, “You will not reduce any bricks from your daily quota.” 20 Then, as they came out from Pharaoh, they met Moses and Aaron who stood there to meet them. 21 They said to them, “Let the LORD (Jehovah) look on you and judge, because you have made us abhorrent in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to kill us.” 22 So Moses returned to the LORD (Jehovah) and said, “Lord (Adonay), why have You brought trouble on these people? Why is it You have sent me? 23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all.” God’s name: Jehovah – Self-existent, Eternal Elohiym – Mighty God Adonay – Proper name for God God’s character: Deliverer Oftentimes when given an important task, you come up against the opposition who stops or delays the work you’re trying to do. They might also make the task more difficult. Then the opposition comes from those you’re working with to fulfill your mission. Moses and Aaron went before Pharaoh to give them Jehovah’s message to let His people go. Their first request was to go into the desert to worship Elohiym. Pharaoh denied their request and increased their hardship. Then the people railed against Moses and Aaron for their part in increasing their burden. Moses went before Jehovah Adonay asking why He didn’t fulfill what He called him to do. Do you complain to Elohiym when the mission doesn’t go as planned? Did you expect it would be easy because Elohiym gave you a job to do and He would pave the way so you could finish it quickly? Moses didn’t pay attention to what Elohiym told him when He gave him the task to bring Israel out of Egypt. Exodus 4:21 The LORD (Jehovah) said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do all those wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in your hand. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. 22 Then you will say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD (Jehovah), “Israel is My son, My firstborn. 23 I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, indeed, I will kill your son, your firstborn.”’” Elohiym doesn’t promise the task will be easy or your burden light. He promises to be with you as you prepare to do your work. Pharaoh answered Moses’ first request with ridicule toward Jehovah and an increase in Israel’s labor. You will have opposition. People will ridicule your mission, your Elohiym, and try to make your task impossible. Don’t let your faith suffer because of the opposition. Encourage yourself in Jehovah as David did when his men opposed him and wanted to stone him. Pray as Nehemiah did when opposition came against him in building the wall of Jerusalem. Pour out your heart to Elohiym as Hezekiah did when Isaiah told him he would die. Forgive them as Yeshuwa did from the cross. They don’t know what they are doing when they oppose Jehovah and His plans for you and His people. Lean on Elohiym and not your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. Don’t let the opposition stop you from fulfilling what Jehovah asked you to do. Pray, encourage, pour out your heart to Elohiym and forgive them, and He will help you complete your work. Let’s pray: Father, let me not waver in the task You gave me. Help me as You promised when I encourage myself in You, pray, and pour out my heart to You. Help me to stand against the opposition forgiving them because You are by my side. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 11 March 2024 by Valerie Routhieaux The image belongs to me.