Exodus 5:22-23 And Moses returned to the LORD, and said, LORD, why have you so evil entreated this people? why is it that you have sent me?… I. OUR SURPRISE THAT CHRISTIAN SERVICE SHOULD BE A FAILURE. It is a matter of surprise — 1. Because the workers had been Divinely sent, and prepared for their toil. They had been instructed by vision. They had been enriched by life's discipline. They had gathered impulse from holy communion with heaven. They were invested with the power to work miracles. They were given the message which they were to deliver unto Pharaoh. We cannot but wonder at this failure. 2. Because the workers had received all the accompaniments necessary to their toil. They did not go a warfare in their own charges. All the resources of heaven went with them. 3. Because the workers had arisen to a moral fortitude needful to the work. Once they were cowardly, and shrank from the mission, but their cowardice had broken unto heroism; their tremor was removed by the promise of God. Hence we should have expected them to have succeeded at once, as a brave soul is never far from victory. II. OUR SORROW THAT CHRISTIAN SERVICE SHOULD BE A FAILURE. It is a matter of sorrow, because — 1. The tyrant is unpunished. 2. The slave is unfreed. 3. The workers are disappointed. III. OUR HOPE THAT THE FAILURE OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE WILL NOT BE ULTIMATE. 1. Because the Divine call will be vindicated. 2. Because service for the good of men cannot ultimately fail.Lessons: 1. Do not be alarmed at the temporary failure of Christian work. 2. The apparent failure of Christian work answers some wise purposes. 3. Those who occasion the temporary failure of Christian work are liable to the retribution of heaven. 4. Let Christian workers hold on to the word and promise of God. (J. S. Exell, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me? |
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