“Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people away from their work? Get back to your burdens. Behold, the people of the land are now many, and you make them rest from their burdens! Let heavier work be laid on the men that they may labor at it and pay no regard to lying words (Exodus 5:4-9).”
Yet as I read Pharaoh’s response, the way he scoffed at the idea of giving people rest from their burdens, I recalled the words of another King who, when speaking of rest from burdens, said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Pharaoh was a successful, powerful king, yet his response to Moses and Aaron seems rooted in fear; fear that he would lose the labor force that enriched his kingdom, or worse. Israel’s size and strength would make a formidable army that might attempt to overthrow him. He would go to great lengths to prevent that, even if it meant the ruthless murder of babies and children or increasing the weight of heavy burdens, leaving people so weary that they didn’t have the fortitude to consider alternatives.
This is our incredible King, full of mercy and kindness.
This passage paints a vivid picture of godless kingship; authority without mercy, power unrestrained, a heart callous to the dignity of one’s neighbors and void of compassion for their needs, all for the sake of self-exaltation. Yet as I read Pharaoh’s response, the way he scoffed at the idea of giving people rest from their burdens, I recalled the words of another King who, when speaking of rest from burdens, said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).”
This King of kings became a servant who humbled himself to the point of death in order to deliver us from the burden of sin and the domain of darkness. He invites us into His kingdom by first inviting us to rest in His work. Unlike Pharaoh, he has no fear of losing His throne, for “His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and his dominion endures throughout all generations (Psalm 145:13).” Unlike Pharaoh, He does not need the strength of men to build his kingdom, nor is he threatened by other nations. He is all-powerful, yet meek. He uses his power to relieve burdens, “to uphold those who are falling, and to raise up those who are bowed down (Psalm 145:14).” Unlike Pharoah, he is moved with compassion by the cries of his people.
This is our incredible King, full of mercy and kindness. May his work on our behalf inspire us to be holy as he is holy; because he has made us so. May his tender heart toward us be a constant invitation to cry out to him, to find our rest in him, to hope in him.
by Shiana Stallard