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Sin is a Harsh Master
Sunday, March 14, 2021
Pastor Jojo Ma
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Exodus 5:10-5:21
10 So the taskmasters and the foremen of the people went out and said to the people, "Thus says Pharaoh, 'I will not give you straw. 11 Go and get your straw yourselves wherever you can find it, but your work will not be reduced in the least.'" 12 So the people were scattered throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw. 13 The taskmasters were urgent, saying, "Complete your work, your daily task each day, as when there was straw." 14 And the foremen of the people of Israel, whom Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten and were asked, "Why have you not done all your task of making bricks today and yesterday, as in the past?" 15 Then the foremen of the people of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, "Why do you treat your servants like this? 16 No straw is given to your servants, yet they say to us, 'Make bricks!' And behold, your servants are beaten; but the fault is in your own people." 17 But he said, "You are idle, you are idle; that is why you say, 'Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.' 18 Go now and work. No straw will be given you, but you must still deliver the same number of bricks." 19 The foremen of the people of Israel saw that they were in trouble when they said, "You shall by no means reduce your number of bricks, your daily task each day." 20 They met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting for them, as they came out from Pharaoh; 21 and they said to them, "The LORD look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us."
There are really two main questions that frame the panorama of this book: Who is the Lord? Whom will we serve?
The spirit of anti-Christ is one that hates God and hates God’s people; this spirit shows little regard for God and little regard for God’s people.
Acts 9:1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord.
Acts 9:20-22 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God." 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, "Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?" 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.
Pharaoh can’t hit God so he hits God’s people. He takes out his frustrations and anger on the Israelites.
vv15-16 Then the foremen of the people of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, "Why do you treat your servants like this? No straw is given to your servants, yet they say to us, 'Make bricks!' And behold, your servants are beaten; but the fault is in your own people."
v10 So the taskmasters and the foremen of the people went out and said to the people, "Thus says Pharaoh, 'I will not give you straw.'"
One of the wicked (but smart) things Pharaoh wanted to do was divide God’s people and their leaders. This is a constant tactic of Satan himself throughout church history and even today: divide and conquer. Drive a wedge between the people and their leaders.
21 and they said to them, "The LORD look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us."
Pharaoh is a powerful example of the bondage of sin and the exodus event will become the picture of our redemption from sin.
That is the pattern of sin. The more you serve your sin and idols, the more they will master you, even though you truly believe you are being set free. That’s the inherent nature of sin: it always overpromises and always underdelivers…and always enslaves.
Sin makes slaves. The book of Exodus powerfully shows us what it really means to be enslaved.
Jn 8:34 Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.
But sin is not the final word. Jesus is. He is the good news.
Look afresh to the good news, the gospel, turn your eyes upon Jesus, and trust in his power to save you and preserve you. He who began a good work will complete it. Believe the promises of God’s Word. Devote yourself to other believers in your local church. Ask for prayer and encouragement. Partake of the Lord’s supper and remember your baptism.