"If the LORD delights in a person's way, He makes their steps firm; though they stumble, they will not fall, for the LORD upholds them with His hand." (Psalm 37:23,24)

The Grand Narrative: “Hope Collapse” (Exodus 5 & 6)

“Hope Collapse” (Exodus 5 & 6)

Published 6 September 2025

Scroll down for “Lessons Learned…”

Designed for Personal Bible Study or for Bible Teaching

⚠️ Lessons Learned – The 5 Greatest Mistakes

  • 1️⃣ Expecting instant success from faithful obedience (Ex. 5:1–2, 22–23).
  • 2️⃣ Measuring God by Pharaoh’s “no” (Ex. 5:2).
  • 3️⃣ Turning our pain into attacks on God’s servants (Ex. 5:21).
  • 4️⃣ Quitting prayer when the plan explodes (Ex. 5:22–23 vs. 6:1).
  • 5️⃣ Letting discouragement deafen us to promise (Ex. 6:9).

💥 Lessons Learned – The 5 Greatest Failures

  • 1️⃣ Failure of justice—“bricks without straw” (Ex. 5:6–9).
  • 2️⃣ Failure of empathy—beatings instead of relief (Ex. 5:13–14).
  • 3️⃣ Failure of faith—“You have not rescued… at all” (Ex. 5:23).
  • 4️⃣ Failure to recall covenant history (Ex. 6:2–5).
  • 5️⃣ Failure to listen under harsh labor (Ex. 6:9).

🚫 Lessons Learned – The 5 Greatest Sins

  • 1️⃣ Mental—pride that says, “Who is the LORD?” (Ex. 5:2).
  • 2️⃣ Mental—despair that silences promise (Ex. 6:9).
  • 3️⃣ Verbal—accusations against God’s servants (Ex. 5:21).
  • 4️⃣ Overt—institutional cruelty (straw removed, quotas kept) (Ex. 5:6–9).
  • 5️⃣ Overt—beatings that enforce oppression (Ex. 5:13–14).

🏆 Lessons Learned – The 5 Greatest Successes

  • 1️⃣ Moses returns—obedience under fear (Ex. 5:1).
  • 2️⃣ Honest lament—real prayer in real pain (Ex. 5:22–23).
  • 3️⃣ God speaks clarity—“Now you will see…” (Ex. 6:1).
  • 4️⃣ Covenant reaffirmed—God remembers, hears, and knows (Ex. 6:2–5).
  • 5️⃣ Seven “I will” promises anchor hope (Ex. 6:6–8).

🌱 Lessons Learned – The 5 Greatest Spiritual Growth Lessons

  • 1️⃣ Bring your “why” to God; don’t bottle it (Ex. 5:22–23).
  • 2️⃣ Anchor identity in “I AM,” not Pharaoh’s “no” (Ex. 6:2–3).
  • 3️⃣ Let the “I will”s carry you through “not yet” (Ex. 6:6–8).
  • 4️⃣ Hear promise even under harsh labor (Ex. 6:9—fight the numbness).
  • 5️⃣ Look for God’s bigger story when plans collapse (Ex. 6:1).

🧭 Lessons Learned – The 5 Greatest Leadership Principles

  • 1️⃣ Expect backlash—resistance often spikes after vision casting (Ex. 5:6–9).
  • 2️⃣ Stay proximate to pain—return to God with the people’s cry (Ex. 5:22).
  • 3️⃣ Lead with God’s verbs, not yours—count the “I will”s (Ex. 6:6–8).
  • 4️⃣ Communicate covenant memory—God hears, remembers, knows (Ex. 6:5–6).
  • 5️⃣ Persevere when morale dips—truth eventually outlasts the mud pit (Ex. 6:9 → forward story).