[[-SOAP HUB]] | [[-Exodus Overview]] | [[Exodus 05]] ## Title: Worse Before It Gets Better ## Scripture: (Exodus 5:6-9) That same day Pharaoh commanded the slave masters and foremen who were over the people: “You must no longer give straw to the people for making bricks as before. Let them go and collect straw for themselves. But you must require of them the same quota of bricks that they were making before. Do not reduce it, for they are slackers. That is why they are crying, ‘Let us go sacrifice to our God.’ Make the work harder for the men so they will keep at it and pay no attention to lying words!” (NET) ## Observation: I have heard of people before who swallowed something poisonous. They go to the emergency room and the doctors will give them medicine intended to cause their body to expel anything in their digestive tract. The goal is to make them better, but it will get worse before it gets better. There are many examples of this in life, and we see this happening in today’s text. God has appointed that it is time for the nation of Israel to be free. However, this does not mean things will immediately get better. Sometimes, breaking free means it will get worse first. If we do not remember that the LORD is in control, we can become discouraged. However, when we realize that the LORD has promised to work all things for our good, we will not see things getting worse as anything other than the LORD doing what has to be done. Do not let outward, temporary circumstances shake your faith that the LORD is still in control. ## Application: Determine to not let any outside circumstances shake your faith in God’s ultimate plan of victory. ## Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for being in control when the world looks out of control.