I have been reading through Exodus lately. It is amazing to me that even though I have been a Christian most of my life every time I read the Bible I find something new.

I didn’t realize that when Moses first went to Pharaoh to ask for the Israelites to be set free he was only asking for a three day festival to begin with. (Exodus 5:3)

Pharaoh was a slave driver and he didn’t think that the Israelites should be distracted from their work.

Working hard is good if you do it for six days but if you do it for seven it is a sin. God has designed us to relax on the seventh day.

He also was pretty particular about the Israelites having fun at their festivals. In fact Moses said that if the Israelites did not go into the wilderness for their three day festival that they would be killed.

What did Pharaoh do when faced with this request? He made the Israelites work harder. (Exodus 5:6) The nerve of those Jews! After hearing that they wanted a three day vacation Pharaoh not only said that they wouldn’t get a vacation but that they would have to find their own straw for their bricks. Pharaoh accused the Jews of being lazy.

Sheesh, I don’t see any record of him even making one brick.

Have you ever had a boss like this? I know I have had several.

To get Pharaoh’s attention Aaron struck the water of the Nile and turned it into blood. Pharaoh’s magicians could do the same though so Pharaoh did not release the Israelites.

So then the frogs came. Could you imagine that? I like frogs but only if they are in my backyard. I don’t think I would care for them jumping on my bed or hopping onto my dinner plate.

After the frogs came the gnats. Then the flies and after that the livestock of the Egyptians died. Then there was the boils, the hail, the locusts and the three days of darkness for the Egyptians. Then the firstborn sons were sacrificed.

All of this was done because Pharaoh would not allow a three day vacation for the Israelites. Wow, wish I had this in my back pocket for some of my former bosses.

Anyhoo you are probably wondering where I am going with this.

I am trying to convince you to have a good time every now and then. Life is not all about work. It is also about celebrating with God and relaxing. It is not always about working day and night.

So on this holiday weekend kick your feet up and relax!