God's Promises in the Midst of Pain

 "God's Promises in the Midst of Pain"

Text: Exodus 5:22–6:8

Have you ever obeyed God, only to find that things got worse instead of better? That’s exactly what Moses experienced. After bravely confronting Pharaoh with God's demand, “Let my people go,” Pharaoh increased the Israelites' burdens. The people turned against Moses, and in his discouragement, Moses turned to God and asked, “Why, Lord? Why have you brought trouble on this people?” (Exodus 5:22).

God’s answer in Exodus 6:1–8 is one of the most theologically rich declarations in all of Scripture. In response to Moses’ discouragement, God doesn’t rebuke him. Instead, He reveals Himself through powerful promises and deep truths. These verses are filled with divine “I” statements that show us not only who God is, but what He does for His people.

God's Response: Reassurance, Not Rejection (Exodus 6:1)

“Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh…”

God doesn’t dismiss Moses’ frustration. He patiently explains that Pharaoh’s defiance is not a sign of God's weakness, but part of the bigger plan. God will act in power. Pharaoh’s arrogance will become the platform for God's glory.

This reminds us: God’s timing is perfect, even when His ways are painful. The delay is not denial—it’s preparation.

God's Identity: "I Am the LORD" (Exodus 6:2, 6, 7, 8)

“I am the LORD.”

This phrase is repeated four times in these verses. In Hebrew, it’s “Yahweh,” the covenant name of God. It signals His unchanging, self-existent nature. He is not just a distant deity—He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He remembers His covenant and He is faithful to it.

When we question God’s plan, we must return to who God is.
He is not just a helper; He is the LORD.

God's Promises: The Seven “I Will” Statements

God responds to Moses' despair with promises, not explanations. There are seven "I will" statements in Exodus 6:6–8 that form the foundation of God's redemptive plan:

1. “I will bring you out” (v.6) – Deliverance from external oppression.

2. “I will free you from being slaves” (v.6) – Internal liberation from slavery’s identity.

3. “I will redeem you with an outstretched arm…” (v.6) – God will pay the price and display His power.

4. “I will take you as my own people” (v.7) – He desires a relationship, not just rescue.

5. “I will be your God” (v.7) – Covenant intimacy. They will belong to Him.

6. “I will bring you to the land…” (v.8) – He has a destination in mind.

7. “I will give it to you as a possession” (v.8) – God's gift is lasting and secure.

Each of these statements points to God's initiative, God's faithfulness, and God's desire for relationship.

Theological Truths Revealed:

1. God is a covenant-keeping God.
   He remembers what He has promised—even when we forget or doubt.

2. God’s identity is the foundation of our hope.
   “I am the LORD” anchors every promise in His unchanging nature.

3. God’s redemptive plan is both physical and spiritual.
   He doesn't just free Israel from slavery; He calls them His people. Likewise, God saves us not just from sin’s penalty, but into a relationship with Him.

4. God acts for His glory and our good.
   Pharaoh’s resistance would become the means by which God’s mighty hand would be known.

When Moses questioned God, the Lord didn't give a strategy—He gave a revelation. He showed Moses who He is and what He will do.

So, when you are weary from waiting, confused by suffering, or feeling forgotten—go back to God's promises. Remember the “I am” and rest in the “I will.” His power is certain. His plan is unfolding. His promises are sure.

“I am the LORD.” That is enough.

Now it's Your Turn:

1. Which of God's “I will” promises do you most need to remember today?

2. Are you trusting more in God’s character or in your own understanding?

3. How can you encourage someone else who feels like Moses—tired, confused, and discouraged?

Let this passage remind you: God’s promises do not fail, even when circumstances look like they have.

More: Sabbath School Lesson 3 - Rough Start

Rough Start for Moses: When Obedience Makes Things Worse Before They Get Better

 

When Obedience Makes Things Worse Before They Get Better

Text: Exodus 5:3–23
Key Verse: “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.” – Exodus 5:21 (NIV)

Have you ever obeyed God—and immediately regretted it?

Not because it was the wrong thing to do, but because the consequences felt worse than before you obeyed?

In Exodus 5:3–23, Moses and Aaron finally stand before Pharaoh with a divine message: “Let my people go.” But what follows is not a triumphant breakthrough—it’s backlash. Pharaoh not only refuses but intensifies Israel’s suffering. And the people? They turn their anger on Moses and Aaron.

It’s one of those moments when doing the right thing seems to make life worse. But in that painful tension, God is at work.

The Immediate Outcome of Obedience (vv. 3–19)

Moses and Aaron obey God’s command. They speak directly to Pharaoh:

“The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God…” (v.3)

But Pharaoh’s reaction is harsh and proud:

• He dismisses their God (v.2).

• He accuses them of distracting the Israelites from their work (v.4–5).

• He punishes the people by increasing their labor—no more straw for bricks, but the same daily quota (v.6–9).

Obedience triggered resistance.

And not just resistance from Pharaoh—but pain for the people of God. That’s a hard pill to swallow. We often expect obedience to result in blessing, clarity, and ease. But the pattern of Scripture—and real life—often shows that obedience first leads us into hardship, not out of it.

The People’s Reaction to Moses and Aaron (v. 21)

The foremen of Israel, beaten and blamed for falling short, meet Moses and Aaron and say:

“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.” (v.21)

In modern words: “Thanks a lot. You’ve made our lives even worse. You’ve given Pharaoh a reason to destroy us.”

Now imagine yourself in their place:

• You were already suffering.

• Someone promises deliverance.

• And the result? More pain.

Wouldn’t you be angry too? Wouldn’t you feel betrayed, confused, even resentful?

It’s easy to judge their words, but honesty compels us to admit we might have said the same.

Moses’ Desperation and Honest Prayer (vv. 22–23)

Moses turns to God—not in praise, but in protest:

“Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me?... You have not rescued your people at all.” (vv.22–23)

This is the raw, painful heart of a man who obeyed—and saw everything get worse.

Yet here’s the lesson: God does not rebuke Moses. He listens. And in the next chapter, He reaffirms His covenant, His power, and His plan (Exodus 6:1–8).

God can handle our honest prayers. He invites us to bring confusion, pain, and protest to Him.

Lessons for Today

1. Obedience may lead to opposition.
   Don’t assume that doing God’s will means a smooth path. In fact, opposition can be a sign that you’re right where God wants you.

2. God sees beyond the immediate.
   Pharaoh’s cruelty didn’t catch God off guard. In fact, God told Moses in Exodus 3:19–20 that Pharaoh would resist. The pain was part of the process.

3. People may blame you for doing the right thing.
   Moses and Aaron weren’t wrong—but they were targets of anger. Sometimes, the cost of leadership is being misunderstood. Be faithful anyway.

4. God honors honest prayer.
   When the road gets rough, take your pain to God. Don’t pretend. He welcomes honesty and responds with reassurance.

The encounter in Exodus 5 reminds us that following God doesn’t always yield instant results. Sometimes obedience brings struggle, and the people we hope to help may turn against us. But this isn’t the end of the story.

God is not silent. He is setting the stage for deliverance. The oppression gets worse—but that’s because freedom is drawing near.

So if you're in a place where obedience seems to have made things harder, take heart: God is still writing the story. What looks like a step back is often a setup for a mighty act of deliverance.

Keep trusting. Keep obeying. And keep praying.
Because God sees. And He will act—with a mighty hand.

More: Sabbath School Lesson 3 - Rough Start

I Do Not Know the Lord

“I Do Not Know the Lord”

Text: Exodus 5:1–2

In Exodus 5, Moses and Aaron deliver a bold and divine message to Pharaoh:

“Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: ‘Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’” (Exod. 5:1)

But Pharaoh’s reply is defiant and dismissive:

“Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.” (Exod. 5:2)

This short exchange is a collision of two worldviews: God’s authority versus human pride. And Pharaoh’s response reveals more than a personal refusal—it reflects the heart of rebellion that still resists God today.

Pharaoh’s Response: Rejection and Ignorance

Pharaoh responds with two declarations:

1. “Who is the Lord?”
   Pharaoh didn’t deny gods existed—he had a whole pantheon of them. But Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, was unknown to him. He saw no reason to submit to this foreign deity.

2. “I do not know the Lord… I will not let Israel go.”
   This wasn’t just ignorance—it was willful ignorance. Pharaoh’s heart was proud and closed. His mind was made up before he heard the message.

Significance:

• Pharaoh’s rejection highlights the natural human resistance to God’s rule.

• It foreshadows the hardening of his heart throughout the plagues.

• It sets the stage for God to make Himself known—through mighty acts that will answer Pharaoh’s question: “Who is the Lord?”

The World Still Says: “I Don’t Know the Lord”

Many today echo Pharaoh’s words—not always in anger or defiance, but in confusion, indifference, or ignorance:

• “I don’t know the Lord.”

• “Why should I obey Him?”

• “How do I even know He’s real?”

Sometimes this comes from arrogance, like Pharaoh. But often, it comes from lack of experience with God’s truth and love. And here is where we enter the picture.

Our Response to Those Who Don’t Know the Lord

1. Be Patient and Compassionate.
Not everyone is Pharaoh. Some genuinely don’t know God because they’ve never seen Him modeled. We can be the first glimpse of God’s love they encounter.

“Always be prepared to give an answer… with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15)

2. Point Them to the Lord Through Your Life.
Pharaoh needed to see God’s power. Many today need to see God’s love—through us.

Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16)

3. Speak Boldly—but Humbly—About Who God Is.
Moses didn’t back down from Pharaoh. And we shouldn’t shrink from speaking about our faith. But like Moses, we can speak with humility, knowing it’s God who works through us.

4. Pray for God to Reveal Himself.
Ultimately, only God can change hearts. He can show Himself to those who say, “I don’t know the Lord”—just as He revealed Himself in Egypt.

The Lord Will Make Himself Known

Pharaoh said, “I don’t know the Lord.”
By the end of the story, he knew. All of Egypt knew. The plagues, the Passover, the parting of the sea—all answered Pharaoh’s question.

But let’s not miss this: God wanted to be known not just as Judge, but as Deliverer. And that’s the same heart God has today.

“This is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” (John 17:3)

When the World Doesn’t Know God

So what do we do when someone says, “I don’t know the Lord”?
We don’t argue them into faith. We show them. We live out the truth. We speak with grace. And we pray that the Lord who revealed Himself in Egypt will also reveal Himself to them—through His Word, His Spirit, and even through us.

Let’s be people who know the Lord—and make Him known.

Prayer:

Lord, we live in a world where many say, “I don’t know the Lord.” Help us be vessels of Your love and truth. Teach us to respond with grace, boldness, and compassion. And may those who don’t know You come to know You through Jesus, Your Son, our Savior. Amen.

More: Sabbath School Lesson 3 - Rough Start

When Excuses Sound Reasonable: Trusting God’s Call

 

"When Excuses Sound Reasonable: Trusting God’s Call"

Text: Exodus 3:11–4:17

Have you ever felt unqualified for something important—something bigger than you? Maybe you were asked to lead, to speak up, to take on a role you didn’t feel ready for. Most of us have. And in those moments, we often offer what seem like perfectly reasonable excuses.

Moses did the same. In fact, his objections to God’s call are so familiar, so human, that we might be tempted to sympathize with him completely.

But the story of Moses shows us something powerful: God is not interested in how qualified we feel. He’s interested in what He can do through us—if we trust Him.

Reasonable Excuses, Divine Response

Let’s look at Moses' objections in Exodus 3–4:

1. “Who am I?” (Ex. 3:11)
   Moses begins with a deep sense of inadequacy. He’s a shepherd, not a diplomat. He tried to help his people once and failed.

   God’s reply? “I will be with you.”
   God doesn’t boost Moses’ ego; He shifts the focus. The success of the mission won’t depend on who Moses is, but on who God is.

2. “What if they don’t believe me?” (Ex. 4:1)
   A fair question—after all, Moses had no official credentials.

   God responds by giving him signs—a staff turned to a snake, a leprous hand healed, water turned to blood.
   In other words, God equips him with more than words: He provides evidence of divine backing.

3. “I am slow of speech and tongue.” (Ex. 4:10)
   Moses is convinced he’s the wrong man for a speaking job.

   God replies, “Who gave human beings their mouths?” and promises, “I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

4. “Please send someone else.” (Ex. 4:13)
   At the core of all his excuses is fear and reluctance.

   God becomes angry—but even then, He accommodates Moses by sending Aaron to speak for him.

Each time Moses gives an excuse, God doesn’t say the concern is totally false—but He reminds Moses that the call isn’t based on human ability. It’s based on divine power and presence.

Lessons for Us Today

1. God Calls Imperfect People.
   The Bible is full of them—Abraham the doubter, David the sinner, Jeremiah the weeping prophet, Peter the denier, Paul the persecutor. Why? Because God delights in showing His strength through human weakness.

2. Excuses Often Reveal Fear, Not Fact.
   Moses’ excuses sounded logical, but underneath was fear. That same fear grips us—fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of not being enough. But faith begins where fear ends—with trusting God more than our own perceptions.

3. God Provides What We Need—When We Obey.
   God didn’t give Moses everything up front. As Moses stepped forward in obedience, God supplied what he needed. It’s the same with us. Provision often follows obedience.

4. God’s Presence is Enough.
   The answer to every excuse was the same: “I will be with you.” That’s the same promise Jesus gave to His disciples in Matthew 28:20—“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Trusting the God Who Calls

If we only followed God’s call when we felt fully ready, few of us would ever take the first step. But the call of God doesn’t depend on our confidence; it depends on His presence and power.

So, what is God asking of you today?
Is He calling you to step out in ministry, to serve, to lead, to speak, to forgive, to change direction?

You might have a list of reasons why you can’t. Moses did too.
But in God’s hands, even the most ordinary person can do extraordinary things.

Let’s lay down our excuses and pick up trust.
Let’s believe that the One who calls us is faithful—and He will do it.

“Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:24

Prayer:

Lord, You know our hearts. You know our fears, our doubts, and the excuses we carry. Help us lay them down at Your feet. Teach us to trust not in our ability but in Your power. Use us, Lord, not because we are able, but because You are. In Jesus’ name, amen.

More: EXODUS - Sabbath School Lesson 2 - The Burning Bush

Sabbath School Lesson 3: Rough Start

 

EXODUS 

Sabbath School Lesson 3

Rough Start

You may use this for presenting and studying the current Sabbath School Lesson.

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> Download the notes for Lesson 3 video here.

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More on Lesson 2:

Sunday: Who is the LORD

Monday: Rough Start

Tuesday: The Divine "I"

Friday Further Thought: "I Don't Know the Lord"

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