Moses Confronts Pharaoh and God's Plan
(Exodus 4:18–5:23)

After God spoke to Moses at the burning bush, Moses was finally ready to obey. He first went back to his father-in-law, Jethro, and asked if he could return to Egypt to check on his family, which Jethro happily agreed to. God then gave Moses another very important command: to travel with his wife and sons back to Egypt.

On the journey, Moses met his brother, Aaron, in the wilderness, just as God had promised. Moses told Aaron everything God had said and showed him all the amazing signs God had given him. Together, Moses and Aaron went to the people of Israel and told them God's message: that God had seen their suffering and was ready to rescue them. The people believed and bowed down to worship God. God is always aware of the suffering of His people, and He always keeps His promises, no matter how long it takes.

Next, Moses and Aaron walked right into the palace and stood before the most powerful man in the world, Pharaoh. Moses told Pharaoh, "The Lord, the God of Israel, says: 'Let my people go, so that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.'"

Pharaoh laughed at them! "Who is the Lord?" he demanded. "I don't know the Lord, and I certainly won't let Israel go!" Pharaoh did not worship the one true God, and he did not want to lose all the free labor from the Israelites. Instead of letting them go, Pharaoh decided to make their lives even harder. He gave an order to his taskmasters: "Don't give the Israelites straw anymore, but make them gather their own straw for making bricks! And make them complete the exact same number of bricks they made before!"

Imagine doing your hard job, and then your boss makes it twice as hard, but you have to do the same amount of work! Pharaoh’s evil plan was to crush the Israelites’ spirit so they would stop asking to leave. The Israelite foremen were beaten when they couldn’t meet the impossible goals. They cried out to Pharaoh, but he was cruel. The foremen then went to Moses and Aaron and blamed them, saying, "May the Lord look upon you and judge you, for you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh!"

Moses was heartbroken and confused. He cried out to God, "Lord, why have You brought trouble to Your people? Why did You send me? Since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has only hurt Your people more, and You have done nothing to rescue them!"

But God had a plan far bigger than Pharaoh’s cruelty or Moses’ confusion. God was preparing to show Pharaoh, the Israelites, and the whole world that He alone is the true God, and that no human ruler, no matter how powerful they seem, can stop His perfect plan.

A Curious Question

If God is all-powerful and He told Moses to go tell Pharaoh to let His people go, why do you think God allowed Pharaoh to make the Israelites’ lives even harder?

Jesus Connection

In this story, Moses is the one sent by God to deliver the people from slavery. This role of a great deliverer points us directly to Jesus. Jesus is our ultimate deliverer! Moses tried to free God's people from a powerful human ruler (Pharaoh), but Jesus came to free God's people from an even greater enemy: sin and death.

The Israelites were slaves, beaten, and overwhelmed by their impossible work. We, too, are slaves to our sin and could never do enough good work to earn freedom. Jesus came and did the impossible work for us. He lived a perfect life, and then He died on the cross and rose again to set us free from the slavery of sin. Just as Moses was God's chosen helper to lead the people to the promised land, Jesus is God's only Son, sent to lead us into a relationship with God and the eternal life He promises.

Discussion Questions

1. Trusting God: Moses was upset with God when Pharaoh made things worse for the Israelites. Have you ever felt confused or frustrated when things got harder after you prayed or tried to follow God? What do you think Moses should have remembered about God at that moment?

2. The World's Rulers: Pharaoh was the most powerful person on earth at the time. Why couldn't he stop God’s plan, even when he tried to make the Israelites quit? How does this show us that God is greater than any human leader or problem?

3. The People's Response: The Israelites first worshiped God, but when their life got harder, they quickly turned and blamed Moses and Aaron. Why is it sometimes easy to believe God when things are good, but hard when things get tough?

4. Boldness: Moses and Aaron were not afraid to speak God's message to Pharaoh, a very dangerous man. What is one thing God has asked you to do that requires you to be a little brave?

"So What" What Can I do?

1. Trust God in the Hard Times: This week, when something difficult happens at school or home, remember that God has a bigger plan, even if things get harder for a little while. Instead of getting angry, take a deep breath and ask God for help, just like Moses eventually did.

2. Use Your Voice for God: Pharaoh didn't know the Lord, but Moses told him anyway. This week, look for an opportunity to boldly tell someone a true, good thing about God, like maybe sharing your favorite Bible story with a friend or telling your family what you learned today.

3. Worship in All Circumstances: The Israelites quickly stopped worshiping when life got tough. Make a point to praise and worship God this week, no matter what your circumstances are. This could be by singing a song or simply thanking God for five things before you go to sleep.

Memorize God's Word

Exodus 5:22 (paraphrased): "O Lord, why have You done evil to this people?"

Wait! That is what Moses said when he was confused and frustrated! We can actually learn a lot about prayer from that. Moses's honest, direct prayer shows us a true conversation with God. Even when Moses was confused, he still turned to God. A better verse to memorize that answers Moses’s prayer is:

Exodus 6:1: "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh.'"

Hand Motions:

  • "Then the Lord said to Moses" - Point up with both hands (for God) and then point to yourself (for Moses/the teacher).
  • "Now you shall see" - Cup hands over eyes, like binoculars, and then pull them away to look forward.
  • "what I will do to Pharaoh" - Hold your hands out, palms up, like you are presenting something big (God's great work), and then make a firm fist (Pharaoh’s defeat).

Praying with Kids

Dear Father, thank You that You are always more powerful than any person or problem on Earth. We know You see our troubles, and You have a perfect plan, even when things get difficult. Forgive us for complaining or doubting You when life gets hard. Help us to be brave like Moses and tell people about You. Thank You for sending Jesus, our perfect Deliverer, to set us free from sin. Amen.

Craft or Activity: "Impossible Brick" Activity

Objective: To help kids understand the impossible task Pharaoh gave the Israelites and see how God makes a way when we cannot.

Materials Checklist

Instructions

  1. Give each child a small amount of clay or play-doh on a piece of wax paper.
  2. The "Straw" Challenge: Have them try to make a perfectly shaped, flat brick about 2 inches by 1 inch. While they are working, ask: "If this clay is soft, is it easy to make a perfect brick?"
  3. Now, tell them, "Pharaoh has made your job harder! This time, you must make a brick using 'straw'!" Give them 3-5 craft sticks or skewers.
  4. The "No Straw" Challenge: Now, ask the kids to remove all the straw (craft sticks) but still make the exact same size and number of bricks. Explain: "The Israelites could make bricks easily with the straw. Now they have to search for the straw, which took all their time, but Pharaoh still demanded the same number of bricks! It became an impossible task!"
  5. The "Clay Brick" Reminder: Have the children now mix a small amount of brown paint and sand into their clay (the sand represents the new difficulty). Have them use the plastic ruler to shape their final, difficult brick.
  6. Write the memory verse from Exodus 6:1 on the finished "brick" using a sharp stick or skewer. They can take their "impossible brick" home as a reminder that God can do what is impossible for us.

Effective Teaching Techniques

  • Drama/Role-Play: To make the story come alive, have a teacher or older student wear a simple crown or headband and act as Pharaoh. Have another teacher or student act as Moses. As you read the story summary, have the "Pharaoh" laugh or scowl dramatically when Moses speaks.
  • Visual Aid: Bring a real straw-based item (like a small mat or a handful of dried grass/straw) and some clay. Let the kids feel the clay alone versus what the clay with straw (grass) would feel like to stabilize it. This physical difference helps them understand the magnitude of Pharaoh's cruel command.
  • Age Variation (Younger): Focus only on the core characters: Moses, Aaron, and Pharaoh. Emphasize the simple concept: Moses said, "Let God's people go," and Pharaoh said, "NO!" Use a big, firm 'NO' sound and action. Keep the discussion questions very simple: "Was Pharaoh a good leader?" "Who is more powerful, God or Pharaoh?"
  • Age Variation (Older): Discuss the concept of sovereignty. God knew Pharaoh would refuse and make things harder. Discuss the idea that sometimes God allows bad things to happen so He can demonstrate His power and glory in a greater way (a foreshadowing of the plagues).