Exodus: A Group StudySample

WEEK 4: DOUBT

Moses and Aaron appear before Pharaoh, demanding he let the Israelites go. However, instead of deliverance, Pharaoh increases Israel’s burdensome labor. In a moment of doubt, Moses questions Yahweh’s plans and purposes for him. Yahweh’s gracious response reminds both Moses and the reader that His plans and purposes persist even in the darkest moments.

What is this passage saying?

Moses and Aaron confront Pharaoh. Pharaoh retaliates against Israel, increasing their burdensome labor. Moses questions Yahweh’s calling on his life.

What is this passage teaching?

There might not be a more gut-wrenching chapter in Exodus than this one. After generations of brutal slavery, Yahweh finally sends a deliverer to bring His people out of captivity. When Moses confronts Pharaoh, however, the situation becomes far worse. Pharaoh doubles the workload of the Israelites while demanding of them the same output. When they do not complete their quota for the day, the Israelites are beaten. All of Moses’ fears are being realized: to Pharaoh and Israel, he is an impotent and failed leader. In desperation, Moses turns to God, praying, “O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has done evil to this people, and you have not delivered your people at all” (Exodus 5:22-23). In his doubt and faithlessness, Moses turned to Yahweh, laying his doubts and fears before God.

How do I respond?

A beautiful aspect of the Bible is its honesty. The biblical writers do not paint their characters as spiritual superheroes. In this passage, we see Moses is plagued with doubt, fear, and anger. He equates Yahweh - the good, gracious, loyally loving God – with Pharaoh - the genocidal, despotic, tyrannical king of Egypt. Moses’ raw response reminds us that God can handle hard things and hard questions. He is not scared of your doubts and anxieties. God’s glory and power are not diminished by your worries or uncertainty. God invites you to share them. God welcomes the struggler, the wounded, and the faithless. If you are filled with doubt or fear today, do not be afraid to be honest with God. Lay out your frustrations and worries before Him and ask for faith even in the darkest moments.