Exodus 5:1-6:9.  It appears on the surface that Moses’ first attempt at delivering the people of Israel fails.  God is doing something behind the scenes that sets up the board for a new kind of operation. He is giving Pharaoh enough room to resist. Pharaoh appears to be the antagonist in the story, but actually he is serving Satan’s interest as much as Moses is serving the LORD.  God is also building within the Israelites a strong desire for freedom.  Slavery produces a hopeless feeling.  By demonstrating his power over Pharaoh in the plagues, God will instill hope, and a relationship with his people (6:7).

LORD, grant us insight to see you at work behind the scenes when things don’t look so well on the surface.