What does Exodus 5:15 teach about seeking God's guidance over human authority? Setting the Scene Exodus 5:15: “Then the Israelite foremen went and cried out to Pharaoh, ‘Why are you treating your servants this way?’” Observations from Exodus 5:15 • The foremen hurry to Pharaoh—the very source of their misery—rather than to God. • They call themselves “your servants,” defining their identity by Egypt’s authority instead of the Lord’s covenant. • No prayer, no consultation with Moses, no seeking of divine direction appears in the verse. The focus is squarely on human power. Underlying Lessons About Authority • Earthly rulers can seem more immediate than God, tempting believers to look there first. • Spiritual amnesia occurs under pressure; fear of people can eclipse memory of God’s promises. • True freedom begins when God, not man, is recognized as final authority and guide. Principles for Today • Make God the first point of appeal when burdens intensify. • Refuse to let hostile systems redefine your identity; you belong to the Lord. • Earthly access does not equal divine help; only God can deliver. • When orders from people clash with God’s Word, obey the Word. Supporting Scriptures Psalm 118:8-9: “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.” Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Jeremiah 17:5: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man, who makes the flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD.” Acts 5:29: “Peter and the other apostles replied, ‘We must obey God rather than men.’” Living it Out • Initiate every decision by acknowledging God’s supremacy. • Measure human commands by the unchanging standard of Scripture. • Cultivate a reflex to cry out to the Father before appealing to any earthly authority. • Let your title “servant of Christ” shape your vocabulary, expectations, and responses. |
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