It Often Gets Worse Before It Gets Better

Summary of Exodus chapter 5: Moses & Aaron confront Pharaoh.  He refuses to let the Israelites go and in fact increases their work load.  They now have to provide their own straw for bricks, but the number of bricks required is still the same.  The Israelites murmer against Moses & Aaron.  Moses passes their complaint to the LORD.

Lessons for our difficulties / Lessons on God's deliverance:

1. It often gets worse before it gets better!
2. God's plan was already at work, even when things were getting worse.
3. God's perfect plan included allowing things to get worse, so that He gets the glory He deserves.

Exodus 5:21 shows three of the causes for murmuring.  1) Desire to appeal to the world, and 2) unwillingness to suffer reproach: "because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants."  3) Fear: "to put a sword in their hand to slay us."

VM