Let My People Goনমুনা

‘Let my people go!’

The more Moses pleaded for the Israelites to be let go, the harder Pharaoh made it for them to bear.

In Exodus 5:6-8, Pharaoh gave this order to the slave masters and overseers in charge of the people: ‘You are no longer to supply the people with straw for making bricks; let them go and gather their own straw. But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don’t reduce the quota.’

Moses hit a dead end after his first conversation with Pharaoh.

The Israelite overseers despaired and went to appeal to Pharaoh, but they hit a dead end too.

In turn, they took it up with Moses and said in Exodus 5:21, ‘May the Lord look on you and judge you! You have made us obnoxious to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.’

In verse 22, Moses took his concerns and challenges back to God, asking, ‘Why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me?’

Moses sought God first whenever he hit a dead end. He relied on God to help him to solve all his problems.

It can be extremely difficult for people experiencing modern slavery and human trafficking to be able to exit their circumstances, be safe, or find hope.

‘Let my people go!’ is a cry from God’s heart that is meant to be embraced and lived out in the hearts of people.

‘Let my people go!’ is a reminder that we cannot do this work on our own and our own strength. This is a work in which we, too, must take the challenges, hardships, and struggles back to God so that all his people may live freely.

It is a reminder that to end slavery, human trafficking, and exploitation, we must start by taking it back to God in prayer.

Reflect on this:

Who do you turn to when you hit a dead end? Do you turn to people or God?

When we experience challenges, does our silence contribute more to the suffering of those experiencing modern slavery and human trafficking?

Spend time praising God and remembering who he is. Bring challenges, hardships, and struggles before him, being as honest as you can. Listen to hear how God is calling you to respond.