Pharao refuseth to let the people go. They are more oppressed.
“But he answered: Who is the Lord, that I should hear his voice, and let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go.” (Exodus 5:2)
Those who exalt themselves, shall be humbled.
Let us then become lowly, that we may be high. For most utterly does arrogance abase. This abased Pharaoh. For, “I know not,” he says, “the Lord,” and he became inferior to flies and frogs and the locusts, and after that with his very arms and horses was he drowned in the sea. In direct opposition to him, Abraham says, “I am dust and ashes” and prevailed over countless barbarians, and having fallen into the midst of Egyptians, returned, bearing a trophy more glorious than the former, and, cleaving to this virtue, grew ever more high.” -St. John Chrysostom
“Humility is the mother of many virtues. From it spring obedience, holy fear, reverence, patience, modesty, mildness, and peace; for, whoever is humble easily obeys all, fears to offend any, maintains peace with all, shows himself affable to all, is submissive to all, does not offend or displease any, and does not feel the insults which may be inflicted upon him. He lives happy and contented, and in great peace.” -St. Thomas of Villanova
“Humility, which Christ recommended to us both by word and example, ought to include three conditions. First, we are to consider ourselves, in all sincerity, worthy of the contempt of men; secondly, to be glad that others should see what is imperfect in us and what might cause them to despise us; thirdly, when the Lord works any good in us or by our means, to conceal it, if possible, at the sight of our baseness, and if this cannot be done, to ascribe it to the Divine Mercy, and to the merits of others. Whoever shall attain to this humility, happy is he! And to him who shall not attain it, griefs will never be wanting.” -St. Vincent de Paul
“And he said: You are idle, and therefore you say: Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.”(Exodus 5:17)
One needs to set aside time to seek the Lord and hear his voice.
“Even Pharaoh knew that it was proper for one to seek God when he was unoccupied, and for this reason he reproached Israel: ‘You are unoccupied, you are idle,’ and you say, ‘We shall offer prayers to the Lord, our God.’ Now leisure itself is good and useful to him who is unoccupied, since it produces quiet for the acquisition of salutary doctrines. But the leisure of the Athenians was evil, ‘who used to spend all their leisure telling or listening to something new.’ Even at the present time some imitate this, misusing the leisure of life for the discovery of some newer teaching.” -St. Basil the Great
Discussion: We often see the problem of busy lives, when not enough time is given to God. How can we be sure to order our lives rightly?
Father Mike Schmitz said: “We can apply this to our lives, we can be the pharaohs in our lives making ourselves slaves or overworking ourselves to make no time for worship. God reveals that his people are meant to be free, so they can truly belong to him, and worship him. Don’t be a slave master to yourself, take time to stop and listen to his voice.
Women's Prayer Group In Christ 