And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.
And Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go.
And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days’ journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the Lord our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.
And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens.
And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens.
And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,
Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.
And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.
Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.
And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spake to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw.
Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished.
So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw.
And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw.
And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day, as heretofore?
Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants?
There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine own people.
But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the Lord.
Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.
And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in evil case, after it was said, Ye shall not minish ought from your bricks of your daily task.
And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh:
And they said unto them, The Lord look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.
And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?
For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.
Exodus 5 marks a pivotal moment in the story of Israel's liberation, a chapter filled with confrontation, frustration, and ultimately, a deepening of both faith and despair. This chapter reveals the initial clash between divine will and human stubbornness, setting the stage for the dramatic events to follow. It's a powerful reminder that obedience to God often comes at a cost, and that even those called to leadership can struggle with doubt and discouragement.
The Lord's Demand (Exodus 5:1-2)
The moment of truth arrives. Moses and Aaron, acting as God's spokesmen, boldly stand before Pharaoh and deliver a direct command: "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival for me" (Exodus 5:1). This wasn't a request; it was a divine decree. The purpose was clear: the Israelites were to be freed so they could worship the Lord. Pharaoh, however, embodies the epitome of arrogance and defiance. His response, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD and I will not let Israel go" (Exodus 5:2), reveals a profound ignorance and a refusal to acknowledge Yahweh as a legitimate deity in the Egyptian pantheon. He could have avoided immense suffering had he simply heeded this initial, straightforward request.
Increased Oppression (Exodus 5:3-9)
Moses and Aaron, undeterred, reiterate their plea, emphasizing that they are acting under the authority of the Lord, and that disobedience could bring divine wrath upon them (Exodus 5:3). Instead of yielding, Pharaoh accuses them of inciting idleness among the people (Exodus 5:4-5). He sees their request as a threat to his control and the stability of his workforce. In a cruel and calculated move, Pharaoh intensifies the oppression. He orders the Egyptian overseers and Israelite foremen to stop providing straw for brickmaking, forcing the Israelites to gather it themselves while maintaining the same production quota (Exodus 5:6-8). This impossible demand is designed to crush their spirits, keep them too busy to contemplate rebellion or worship, and solidify Pharaoh's power. He reasons that added hardship would keep these perceived "lazy slackers" occupied and silence any further talk of worshipping the Lord (Exodus 5:8-9).
The People's Plight and the Foremen's Frustration (Exodus 5:10-18)
The devastating news spreads like wildfire among the Israelites, forcing them to scatter throughout the land to gather stubble as a substitute for straw (Exodus 5:10-12). As expected, they fail to meet the impossible quota, and the Israelite foremen, responsible for overseeing the work, are brutally beaten by the Egyptian overseers (Exodus 5:14). Desperate, the foremen cry out to Pharaoh, pleading for justice and explaining the impossible situation. But Pharaoh, unmoved by their suffering, dismisses their pleas, blaming their desire to sacrifice to the Lord as the root of the problem (Exodus 5:15-18). This scene vividly illustrates the dehumanizing nature of slavery and the utter disregard Pharaoh has for the well-being of the Israelites.
Blaming Moses and Aaron (Exodus 5:19-21)
Leaving Pharaoh's presence, the Israelite foremen, filled with bitterness and resentment, confront Moses and Aaron (Exodus 5:19-20). They unleash their anger and frustration, accusing the brothers of making their situation even worse. "May the LORD look on you and judge you!" they exclaim, "You have made us obnoxious in the eyes of Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us" (Exodus 5:21). This highlights the immediate, negative consequences of obedience. The people, far from being grateful, blame Moses and Aaron for the increased hardship. This is a stark reminder that leading God's people is rarely easy and often involves facing criticism and opposition. This moment likely dredged up the memories of Exodus 2:13-14, where the Hebrews rejected Moses as a deliverer. Now, their rejection seems even more complete.
Moses' Lament (Exodus 5:22-23)
Overwhelmed by the people's anger and the apparent failure of his mission, Moses turns to the Lord in despair. His lament is a raw and honest expression of doubt and frustration: "Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all" (Exodus 5:22-23). Moses essentially accuses God of making the situation worse and failing to deliver on His promise. This passage reveals the humanity of Moses. He is not a superhero, but a flawed individual struggling to understand God's plan. It forces us to consider what Moses was expecting when he first approached Pharaoh. Had he forgotten God’s warning that Pharaoh’s heart would be hardened, and that liberation would only come through God’s mighty power and a fierce struggle? Moses's crisis of faith serves as a reminder that even those closest to God can experience moments of doubt and discouragement. It is in these moments, however, that true faith is often forged.
And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.
And Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go.
And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days’ journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the Lord our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.
And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens.
And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens.
And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,
Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.
And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.
Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.
And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spake to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw.
Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished.
So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw.
And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw.
And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day, as heretofore?
Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants?
There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine own people.
But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the Lord.
Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.
And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in evil case, after it was said, Ye shall not minish ought from your bricks of your daily task.
And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh:
And they said unto them, The Lord look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.
And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?
For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.
Exodus 5 marks a pivotal moment in the story of Israel's liberation, a chapter filled with confrontation, frustration, and ultimately, a deepening of both faith and despair. This chapter reveals the initial clash between divine will and human stubbornness, setting the stage for the dramatic events to follow. It's a powerful reminder that obedience to God often comes at a cost, and that even those called to leadership can struggle with doubt and discouragement.
The Lord's Demand (Exodus 5:1-2)
The moment of truth arrives. Moses and Aaron, acting as God's spokesmen, boldly stand before Pharaoh and deliver a direct command: "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival for me" (Exodus 5:1). This wasn't a request; it was a divine decree. The purpose was clear: the Israelites were to be freed so they could worship the Lord. Pharaoh, however, embodies the epitome of arrogance and defiance. His response, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD and I will not let Israel go" (Exodus 5:2), reveals a profound ignorance and a refusal to acknowledge Yahweh as a legitimate deity in the Egyptian pantheon. He could have avoided immense suffering had he simply heeded this initial, straightforward request.
Increased Oppression (Exodus 5:3-9)
Moses and Aaron, undeterred, reiterate their plea, emphasizing that they are acting under the authority of the Lord, and that disobedience could bring divine wrath upon them (Exodus 5:3). Instead of yielding, Pharaoh accuses them of inciting idleness among the people (Exodus 5:4-5). He sees their request as a threat to his control and the stability of his workforce. In a cruel and calculated move, Pharaoh intensifies the oppression. He orders the Egyptian overseers and Israelite foremen to stop providing straw for brickmaking, forcing the Israelites to gather it themselves while maintaining the same production quota (Exodus 5:6-8). This impossible demand is designed to crush their spirits, keep them too busy to contemplate rebellion or worship, and solidify Pharaoh's power. He reasons that added hardship would keep these perceived "lazy slackers" occupied and silence any further talk of worshipping the Lord (Exodus 5:8-9).
The People's Plight and the Foremen's Frustration (Exodus 5:10-18)
The devastating news spreads like wildfire among the Israelites, forcing them to scatter throughout the land to gather stubble as a substitute for straw (Exodus 5:10-12). As expected, they fail to meet the impossible quota, and the Israelite foremen, responsible for overseeing the work, are brutally beaten by the Egyptian overseers (Exodus 5:14). Desperate, the foremen cry out to Pharaoh, pleading for justice and explaining the impossible situation. But Pharaoh, unmoved by their suffering, dismisses their pleas, blaming their desire to sacrifice to the Lord as the root of the problem (Exodus 5:15-18). This scene vividly illustrates the dehumanizing nature of slavery and the utter disregard Pharaoh has for the well-being of the Israelites.
Blaming Moses and Aaron (Exodus 5:19-21)
Leaving Pharaoh's presence, the Israelite foremen, filled with bitterness and resentment, confront Moses and Aaron (Exodus 5:19-20). They unleash their anger and frustration, accusing the brothers of making their situation even worse. "May the LORD look on you and judge you!" they exclaim, "You have made us obnoxious in the eyes of Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us" (Exodus 5:21). This highlights the immediate, negative consequences of obedience. The people, far from being grateful, blame Moses and Aaron for the increased hardship. This is a stark reminder that leading God's people is rarely easy and often involves facing criticism and opposition. This moment likely dredged up the memories of Exodus 2:13-14, where the Hebrews rejected Moses as a deliverer. Now, their rejection seems even more complete.
Moses' Lament (Exodus 5:22-23)
Overwhelmed by the people's anger and the apparent failure of his mission, Moses turns to the Lord in despair. His lament is a raw and honest expression of doubt and frustration: "Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all" (Exodus 5:22-23). Moses essentially accuses God of making the situation worse and failing to deliver on His promise. This passage reveals the humanity of Moses. He is not a superhero, but a flawed individual struggling to understand God's plan. It forces us to consider what Moses was expecting when he first approached Pharaoh. Had he forgotten God’s warning that Pharaoh’s heart would be hardened, and that liberation would only come through God’s mighty power and a fierce struggle? Moses's crisis of faith serves as a reminder that even those closest to God can experience moments of doubt and discouragement. It is in these moments, however, that true faith is often forged.