Exodus 5-6 More than you could ask or think

More Than You Could Ask or Think

Our lives are filled with habits. Up to 50% of every day is filled with things that are routine, and take little to no thought because we have done them so many times; like brushing your teeth or driving to work. Some habits however have extremely negative consequences, and are repeated behaviors that carry a lot of guilt and shame.  The pain of the consequences is often what finally causes us to turn to God for help. God wants to give us more than instant relief from our pain. He wants to show us that if we abide in Him he can nourish our souls, prune the negative behaviors and cause our lives to bear good fruit. We have to choose if we want short term relief, or lasting change by turning to God.
Israel was not in slavery because of bad habits or sin (this time), however they were slaves to Egypt. When Moses comes to tell them that God will free them and lead them to a new land, they don't trust God, or His messenger; especially when Pharaoh punishes them for even asking to leave.
When Moses pleads with God for help with this issue; God replies to Moses: I will not only convince the Israelites who I AM, and that I am capable, but I will show Pharaoh such power that he will be happy to see them go.
God wants to display His power in our lives, and He does things in a way that we know, He and He alone receives the glory.

Ephesians 3:20

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

A FEW MORE VERSES:

John 15:1-5

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes^[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. ³ You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴ Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Romans 8:38,39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

TIDBITS FROM EXODUS 5-6

• Once Joseph was dead and a new Pharaoh reigned, there was a fear that the numerous Israelites might rise up against Egypt and become allies of Egypt's enemies. Enslavement was one way Pharaoh managed this.
• Straw was used to help bind the bricks together. The Israelites had been enslaved by the Egyptians to make the bricks used for building.
• God reminds Moses of His history with Abraham, Jacob and Joseph to bolster his faith and help Moses remember that He is a God who keeps His promises.

 

DIG DEEPER:

Read Exodus 5-6
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+5-6&version=NIV