The Light at the End Of the Tunnel (Exodus 6)

A “Why me, Lord?” Moment (Exodus 6:9) So Moses spoke thus to the children of Israel; but they did not heed Moses, because of anguish of spirit and cruel bondage. (NKJV)

Why People Suffer The Consequences of Adam’s Sin: (Genesis 3:19) In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return." (NKJV) (Romans 5:12) Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned-- (NKJV)

Why People Suffer Oppression of Enemies: (Matthew 5:44) "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, (NKJV)

Why People Suffer Spiritual Hosts: (Ephesians 6:12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (NKJV)

Why People Suffer God: (Hebrews 12:5-8) And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives." If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. (NKJV)

Why People Suffer God: (Zechariah 13:9) I will bring the one-third through the fire, Will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, 'This is My people'; And each one will say, 'The LORD is my God.'" (NKJV)

After Impossible Odds, God’s Power is Demonstrated (Exodus 6:1) Then the LORD said to Moses, "Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh. For with a strong hand he will let them go, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land." (NKJV)

After Impossible Odds, God’s Power is Demonstrated (Exodus 5:4) Then the king of Egypt said to them, "Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people from their work? Get back to your labor." (NKJV) (Exodus 5:17) But he said, "You are idle! Idle! Therefore you say, 'Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.' (NKJV)

Jesus healed a man who was blind from birth (Jn. 9) Consider the Great Suffering Necessary Before God’s Power Could be Demonstrated Jesus healed a man who was blind from birth (Jn. 9) Jesus healed the woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years (Lk. 8:43-44) A man was healed by Peter who had been lame for forty years – his entire life (Ac. 3-4)

Elijah raised the Son of the widow from Zarephath (1 Kings 17:17-22) Consider the Great Suffering Necessary Before God’s Power Could be Demonstrated Elijah raised the Son of the widow from Zarephath (1 Kings 17:17-22) Elisha raised the Son of Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4:30-37) Jesus raised a widow's son during a funeral (Luke 7:11-17) Jairus’ daughter (Matt. 8:28-43, Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-39)

Consider the Great Suffering Necessary Before God’s Power Could be Demonstrated The dead man who was buried in the tomb of Elisha (2 Kings 13:21) Jesus raised Lazarus after 4 days (John 11:38-44) Jesus was crucified before He was raised (Matt. 28:5-8, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-11, John 20:1-10). Many came out of the tombs after Jesus arose from the grave (Matt. 27:52) Paul raised Eutychus who fell from the window (Acts 20:7-12) Peter raised Dorcas, a righteous woman (Acts 9:36-42)

Consider the Great Suffering Necessary Before God’s Power Could be Demonstrated The salvation of the Jews from certain destruction by the Egyptian army and the parting of the Red Sea (Ex. 14). The salvation of Elisha and the Israelites when surrounded by the Syrian army (2 Kgs. 6)

A Question Pharaoh Posed Which God Will Answer (Exodus 5:2) And Pharaoh said, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go." (NKJV)

“…now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh…” (6:1) “…I am the Lord…” (6:1) “…I am the Lord…” (6:6) “…I am the Lord…” (6:7) “…I am the Lord…” (6:8)

God Wants to Make Himself Know to Man “I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name LORD I was not known to them.” El Shadday is a name which means “God all sufficient” YHWH, or Yahweh (Ex. 6:1, 2, 6, 7 & 8 ) “self-Existent or Eternal”

God Often Works in Our Lives Through Great Hardships (James 5:16) Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (NKJV) (Psalms 4:5) Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the LORD. (NKJV)