July 21, 2008

Text: Exodus 3-4
Theme: Significant Prayers (OT)

FEELINGS OF DESPAIR
"So Moses returned to the LORD and said,
'LORD, why have You brought trouble on this people?
Why is it You have sent me?
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."    Exodus 5:22-23

1. Expressions of Despair

a) Indicates Self-pity
"Why is it You have sent me?"

b) Indicates blaming of the Lord

    i) "Why have You brought trouble on this people?"

    ii) "Neither have You delivered Your people at all"

2. Deeper analysis

a) Inexperience

b) Naïveté

c) Weakness

d) Unbelief

OVERCOMING FEELINGS OF DESPAIR

1. Re-assurance
"Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh. For with a strong hand he will let them go, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land"    Exodus 6:1

a) God is on top of the situation

b) God assures Moses that Pharaoh will let Israel leave Egypt

2. Reiteration

a) Faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob    Exodus 6:2-3

b) The name "LORD"    Exodus 6:3

c) Covenant relationship- special promise concerning Canaan    Exodus 6:4-5

d) Plan of God

    i) Rescue from bondage    Exodus 6:6

    ii) Redemption with great judgments    Exodus 6:6

    iii) Becoming God's people    Exodus 6:7

    iv) Possession of Canaan as a heritage    Exodus 6:8

RETURNING TO ISRAEL
"So Moses spoke thus to the children of Israel; but they did not heed Moses, because of anguish of spirit and cruel bondage"    Exodus 6:9

1. Moses

a) He returned to his ministry

b) He repeats what God has told him

2. Israel

a) Refusal to heed Moses

b) Reasons for refusal:-

    i) Anguish of spirit

    ii) Cruel bondage