Lesson 3: Rough Start (Exodus 5-7)
Introduction: Put yourself in Moses’ place. You are
demanding that the most powerful man in Egypt give you an
asset that is central to his national economy. If you are
not expecting a lot of resistance, you have no common sense.
Recently, I was told that anyone who is faithful to God
should expect trouble because Satan will target you. Maybe.
My observation, supported by the Moses’ story, is that most
of our troubles result from our own bad decisions. We want
to blame Satan instead of admitting our mistakes. Satan can
resist God, but this story is about how one of the most
powerful nations in the world was no match for our God.
Let’s plunge into our study of the Bible and begin the story
about what happens to those who think they are superior to
our God!
I. The Pharaoh Experience
A. Read Exodus 4:29-31. Has Moses resolved the issue
of whether the Hebrews will believe him? (They are
now worshiping the true God.)
B. Read Exodus 5:1-2. Is this the question you would
ask if you were Pharaoh? (I would want to know what
god is telling me to give up my valuable asset.)
1. Is Pharaoh’s view on whether he should free
the Hebrew slaves dependent upon the nature of
the Hebrew God? (No. Pharaoh wants to know
which god is telling him this, but he says
that regardless he is not going to let the
slaves go.)
C. Read Exodus 5:3. What kind of answer is this to
Pharaoh’s question about who is this god to which
he is supposed to listen? (First they identify
their God as “the God of the Hebrews.” Is that
persuasive? Pharaoh made that God’s people slaves.
Why not say He is the great God of the universe?
Second, they give this story that they want to
travel for three days to worship their God. I’m
certain Pharaoh considered this to be a ruse. Last,
they said that if they did not worship, they would
be punished. Why would Pharaoh care about that?)
1. Who suggested this opening statement to
Pharaoh? (Read Exodus 3:18. God told them to
make the first two statements! He did not say
He would punish the Hebrews if they did not go
on this retreat. Rather, God said that Pharaoh
would not voluntarily agree. Exodus 3:19.)
2. What is God’s strategy in this recommended
answer? (God wants to identify with the
Hebrews. He does not need grand words to
describe Himself, His actions will speak for
Him.)
3. Why a three-day journey? Is there something
special about that distance? (Yes. The Adam
Clarke commentary reveals this is the distance
from Goshen to Sinai.)
D. Read Exodus 5:5-8. Is Pharaoh’s tough response
suggested by the comments of Moses and Aaron? (Yes.
They ask if the people can take a three-day
retreat. Pharaoh responds that if they have time
for a retreat, they are not working hard enough.)
E. Read Exodus 5:9. Whose “lying words” are referred
to here? (Pharaoh is talking about Moses and
Aaron.)
F. Let’s skip down and continue this conversation.
Read Exodus 5:16-19. How would you react if you
were one of the foremen?
G. Read Exodus 5:20-21. How serious do the foremen see
the problem of the increased work? (They think
Hebrews will die because of it.)
1. What do you think about the foremen going to
Pharaoh instead of Moses and Aaron? (The
Hebrews were not committed to Moses being
their spokesman. This showed a weakness to
Pharaoh.)
H. Read Exodus 5:22-23. Think about the words of Moses
to God. Is Moses right? Are these words what God
needs to hear? Or is Moses a terrible leader?
(Instead of encouraging the Hebrews to have faith
in God, he joins with those who are complaining.)
II. God’s Response
A. Read Exodus 6:1. What different view of the future
is God giving Moses? (God is not saying that
Pharaoh will reluctantly let His people go. Rather
God is saying that Pharaoh will drive them out. It
will be Pharaoh’s idea that they should leave.)
B. Read Exodus 6:2-3. Why is God talking about using a
new name? (Commentaries that I consulted assert
that God is not saying that the name He is using
now (Yahweh) is new. Instead, God is saying that He
did not previously reveal His full power to
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.)
C. Read Exodus 6:4-8. How would you describe God’s
message to His people? (The deliverance of the
people is part of fulfilling a very old plan. This
is not some new decision.)
D. Read Exodus 6:9. Does the new message do the job?
(No. The Hebrews are broken.)
1. Have you had that experience? That you just
feel broken and God cannot get through to you?
2. Have you had that experience with others? That
you have a hard time bringing God’s message of
encouragement because they are broken?
E. Read Exodus 6:10-12. We understand Moses’ logic.
Pharaoh did not believe him before, the people do
not believe him now, why should he go to Pharaoh a
second time? What does Moses mean when he calls his
lips “uncircumcised?” (Circumcision was the ancient
sign of a relationship with God. Moses is likely
saying he is unworthy.)
1. Would you agree that Moses is unworthy? (I
would. Moses is almost as much of a problem as
the slaves. Of course that is easy for us to
say since we are not in the middle of this
fire.)
F. We will not read Exodus 6:14-25. On the surface
this section seems bizarre. In this dispute with
Pharaoh, and the failing faith of God’s people, we
are strangely presented with a genealogy. Let’s
see if we can understand this. Read Exodus 6:26-30.
Is this an answer to Moses’ claim (repeated in
verse 30) that he has uncircumcised lips? (God is
answering Moses’ claim of being unworthy. God
essentially replies, “Who is more worthy than you?
Look at the line of your ancestors.”)
G. Read Exodus 7:1-2. “I have made you like God to
Pharaoh.” Would that encourage you? Would it
strengthen you?
H. Read Exodus 7:3-5. Is the future easier when you
understand how events will take place?
1. Notice that God refers to what He is about to
do as “acts of judgment.” What is the basis
for this judgment? (There seems to be a list.
Defying God. Enslaving the Hebrews.
Retaliating against the people for Moses’
demands.)
2. Another thing to notice in verse four is the
reference to God’s people as “hosts.” The KJV
translates this as “armies.” The word means
“organized for war.” Why would God put it that
way when He is doing all the fighting?
I. Read Exodus 7:6-7. Why mention the ages of Moses
and Aaron? (These are not young men. The point is
that God is the power here, not humans.)
1. Are you ever too old to be in a partnership
with God?
J. Read Exodus 7:8-11. What would you say now if you
were Moses?
1. Did God know that the Egyptian sorcerers could
do this? If the answer is, “Yes,” then why
would God suggest this sign?
2. What kind of power do you think these
sorcerers used? (This is Satanic power. Look
at 2 Thessalonians 2:9 and 2 Timothy 3:8. The
leaders of the sorcerers are even named. Satan
has the ability to perform “great signs and
wonders.” Matthew 24:24.)
K. Read Exodus 7:12. Are you now convinced of the
power of God?
L. Read Exodus 7:13. Pharaoh is not convinced. Is this
good for God? (We will turn next week to see God
revealing His true power.)
M. Friend, do you have times in your life when things
are not going well? Do you fee discouraged? God
loves you and cares for you. God has the power to
change the circumstances of your life. Will you
trust Him? Why not make that decision right now?
III. Next week: The Plagues.
Copr. 2025, Bruce N. Cameron, J.D. Scripture quotations are
from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard
Version ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing
ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All
rights reserved. Suggested answers are found within
parentheses. If you normally receive this lesson by e-mail,
but it is lost one week, you can find it by clicking on this
link: http://www.GoBible.org. Pray for the guidance of the
Holy Spirit as you study.
Bruce N. Cameron