Exodus 5:19 The Israelite overseers realized they were in trouble when they were told, “You are not to reduce the number of bricks required of you for each day.”
This section of Exodus is really difficult for me because it is just so incredibly unfair. There seems to be no justice, no fairness, no end. And while I don’t think God sends us trouble as a punishment, I do think He believes in natural consequences, yet that doesn’t seem to be what’s happening here either.
Exodus 5:20-21 When they left Pharaoh, they found Moses and Aaron waiting to meet them, and they said, “May the Lord look on you and judge you! You have made us obnoxious to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.”
Commentary says, “God still will use adversity to train us to trust in Him….” That I believe 100%. He doesn’t send the trouble, but He can (and will and does if we allow) use it to teach us to trust Him. He won’t always give us answers (Why, Lord? Why this? Why now? Why me?), He won’t always make it better (sickness happens, sorrow happens, loss happens), but He will never leave us nor forsake us, even if we cannot yet perceive it, even if we cannot understand it, even if we don’t think we can survive it. He is with us. He is faithful. He is drawing us closer.
Exodus 5:22 Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me?
Precious Savior, Sometimes life is difficult and unfair and just painful. Thank You that even in those dark times, even if You don’t give us answers or solutions, even then You are with us, holding us, drawing us closer. Help us to always remember that You are with us, that You love us fiercely, that You are somehow making a way for us to make it through. Amen.
Exodus 5:23 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.”
Have a blessed day.