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The God who transforms part 2 - Pharaoh

Week 1 - Thursday 10 March

"Afterwards Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, “Let my people go, so that they may celebrate a festival to me in the wilderness.” ’ But Pharaoh said, ‘Who is the Lord, that I should heed him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and I will not let Israel go.’"

Reading

Exodus 5.1-14

Bricks without Straw

Afterwards Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, “Let my people go, so that they may celebrate a festival to me in the wilderness.”’ But Pharaoh said, ‘Who is the Lord, that I should heed him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and I will not let Israel go.’ Then they said, ‘The God of the Hebrews has revealed himself to us; let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness to sacrifice to the Lord our God, or he will fall upon us with pestilence or sword.’ But the king of Egypt said to them, ‘Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their work? Get to your labours!’ 5 Pharaoh continued, ‘Now they are more numerous than the people of the land and yet you want them to stop working!’ That same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people, as well as their supervisors, You shall no longer give the people straw to make bricks, as before; let them go and gather straw for themselves. But you shall require of them the same quantity of bricks as they have made previously; do not diminish it, for they are lazy; that is why they cry, “Let us go and offer sacrifice to our God.” Let heavier work be laid on them; then they will labour at it and pay no attention to deceptive words.’

So the taskmasters and the supervisors of the people went out and said to the people, ‘Thus says Pharaoh, “I will not give you straw. Go and get straw yourselves, wherever you can find it; but your work will not be lessened in the least.”’ So the people scattered throughout the land of Egypt, to gather stubble for straw. The taskmasters were urgent, saying, ‘Complete your work, the same daily assignment as when you were given straw.’ And the supervisors of the Israelites, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and were asked, ‘Why did you not finish the required quantity of bricks yesterday and today, as you did before?’

Reflection

Pharaoh is a king, often considered a god. In the logic of Egypt, he has no equal. How can some lowly Hebrew come and give him a message from some unknown God? Pharaoh’s whole world is challenged. He cannot agree to the Hebrews’ request without accepting that he himself is neither god nor ruler over all.

He does not hear or see the people and their pain. To see and hear the pain his actions are causing would force him to compassion, and compassion would challenge the logic of his whole empire. Compassion does not hoard resources, does not exploit others for one’s own benefit. Compassion threatens Egypt’s structures, and Pharaoh responds in the only way that he knows: by making the people’s lives even harder. Pharaoh is invited to open himself to God, but ultimately, the transformation proves too threatening and costly, and he refuses.

Prayer

Holy God, we confess that we often hold on to our power, our possessions and our sins. Soften our hearts to hear your call that we may love you, and our neighbour, more deeply. Amen.

Today's family challenge

Find out how Jewish people celebrate Passover

Jewish people all over the world remember the Exodus each Passover.

Find out about the Seder – especially what the special foods are and what they mean.

Share our Lent reflections with others