The Story of Moses, Part 6 (Exodus 4-5)

Moses returned to Egypt in obedience to God, and you can be sure he took his rod with him that God had turned into a snake and back into a rod again. God soon brought Moses and his older brother, Aaron, together. Moses told Aaron what God wanted them to do and all about the miracles God had done, and together they went to meet with the elders of the children of Israel. The elders believed Moses and Aaron because God again turned Moses’ rod into a snake and back into a rod when Moses picked it up by its tail. God also repeated the other miracles he had done for Moses. When the people heard that God had seen their misery and cared for them, they bowed down and worshipped him. Moses and Aaron then went to the new king (or Pharaoh) and told him that the Lord God of Israel had said, “Let my people go.” Now they knew Pharaoh would not let the people go right away for God had told them he would harden his heart. Pharaoh was angry, and he said “Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go.” Pharaoh also commanded the slave drivers and those in charge to no longer give the people straw to make bricks. They had to gather their own straw, yet they were required to make the same number of bricks. When the people were not able to do it they were beaten with whips. It doesn’t sound as if things are going well for Moses and Aaron and the people of Israel. Do you think Pharaoh will ever let all his slaves go?