Pharaoh rejected God’s message presented by Moses and Aaron. He not only rejected it, he doubled down, and put a new level of oppression on the Hebrew slaves. They had to make the same amount of bricks, but they also were not going to be supplied the straw which helped strengthen the bricks. They now had to collect the straw on their own. The Hebrew foremen were being physically beaten for missing quota. They appealed to Pharaoh for relief and he said it was their fault for being lazy and wanting to leave and worship God. The foremen turned on Moses and Aaron. Moses and Aaron now faced conflict from Pharaoh and criticism from their own people for simply following God. Often criticism is that “friendly fire” from within that is most unexpected and hurts the most. How can we handle situations when we are criticized for following God?

Pharaoh rejected God’s message presented by Moses and Aaron. He not only rejected it, he doubled down, and put a new level of oppression on the Hebrew slaves. They had to make the same amount of bricks, but they also were not going to be supplied the straw which helped strengthen the bricks. They now had to collect the straw on their own. The Hebrew foremen were being physically beaten for missing quota. They appealed to Pharaoh for relief and he said it was their fault for being lazy and wanting to leave and worship God. The foremen turned on Moses and Aaron. Moses and Aaron now faced conflict from Pharaoh and criticism from their own people for simply following God. Often criticism is that “friendly fire” from within that is most unexpected and hurts the most. How can we handle situations when we are criticized for following God?

Moses obeyed God and headed to Egypt with his brother Aaron at his side. He was on his way to confront Pharaoh. Everything should be smooth sailing from now on, right? Not exactly. Pharaoh demonstrates in his conversation with Moses that he is firmly entrenched as an enemy of God and His people. How does Pharaoh react to Moses’ request? What should we expect out of enemies of God? How should we respond?

Moses obeyed God and headed to Egypt with his brother Aaron at his side. He was on his way to confront Pharaoh. Everything should be smooth sailing from now on, right? Not exactly. Pharaoh demonstrates in his conversation with Moses that he is firmly entrenched as an enemy of God and His people. How does Pharaoh react to Moses’ request? What should we expect out of enemies of God? How should we respond?

Moses encountered God in the wilderness of Midian. God called Moses to deliver His people from Egypt. Moses made excuse after excuse to avoid God’s plan for the Israelites and his own life. Moses finally surrendered to God’s plan and began to follow Him. We’ll see that Pharaoh will not obey God and God will have His way with Him. In another situation, Moses’ disobedience almost costs him his life. In the end of this passage, Moses with the help of Aaron, and by God’s power, convinced the people of Israel that God is going to deliver them. God’s ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than ours. How are we to respond to God’s desires for our lives when we think we know better?

Moses encountered God in the wilderness of Midian. God called Moses to deliver His people from Egypt. Moses made excuse after excuse to avoid God’s plan for the Israelites and his own life. Moses finally surrendered to God’s plan and began to follow Him. We’ll see that Pharaoh will not obey God and God will have His way with Him. In another situation, Moses’ disobedience almost costs him his life. In the end of this passage, Moses with the help of Aaron, and by God’s power, convinced the people of Israel that God is going to deliver them. God’s ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than ours. How are we to respond to God’s desires for our lives when we think we know better?

Moses blew it. He made a horrible decision when he thought no one was looking. He let his temper get the best of him and murdered an Egyptian. He ran and found himself in the wilderness of Midian. He thought of himself as a man without a home. However, he found out that even though he ran, he couldn’t outrun God: God was already there. In today’s passage, we see that Moses encounters God at the burning bush. God meets Moses where he is at and invites him into His great work. Moses makes every excuse not to embrace God’s calling on His life. In the end, we see that God is bigger than our excuses or objections. What can we learn from Moses’ encounter with God?

Moses blew it. He made a horrible decision when he thought no one was looking. He let his temper get the best of him and murdered an Egyptian. He ran and found himself in the wilderness of Midian. He thought of himself as a man without a home. However, he found out that even though he ran, he couldn’t outrun God: God was already there. In today’s passage, we see that Moses encounters God at the burning bush. God meets Moses where he is at and invites him into His great work. Moses makes every excuse not to embrace God’s calling on His life. In the end, we see that God is bigger than our excuses or objections. What can we learn from Moses’ encounter with God?

God is powerful and in control despite of our failures. My main point last week, was that Moses wasn’t Moses, because of Moses, but Moses was Moses because of God. With an extraordinary God, ordinary people can do extraordinary things. God made Moses and had a purpose for Him. God was in control and used people in Moses’ life. God used courageous people, loved ones, and unlikely people, but ultimately, He was in control. Today, we see Moses with his back against the wall. He makes a bad decision, and the consequence of this decision brings him to the middle of nowhere. He’ll find out that even in the middle of nowhere, God is there. He will find out that his failures will not derail God’s purpose for his life. Can God work in your life despite your failures?

God is powerful and in control despite of our failures. My main point last week, was that Moses wasn’t Moses, because of Moses, but Moses was Moses because of God. With an extraordinary God, ordinary people can do extraordinary things. God made Moses and had a purpose for Him. God was in control and used people in Moses’ life. God used courageous people, loved ones, and unlikely people, but ultimately, He was in control. Today, we see Moses with his back against the wall. He makes a bad decision, and the consequence of this decision brings him to the middle of nowhere. He’ll find out that even in the middle of nowhere, God is there. He will find out that his failures will not derail God’s purpose for his life. Can God work in your life despite your failures?