Exodus 5
Exodus 5 begins with Moses and Aaron approaching Pharaoh to request the release of the Israelites. However, Pharaoh firmly refuses the request and instead orders even harsher labor for the Israelites. As a result, the suffering of the people increases, and resentment toward Moses and Aaron grows. In this process, you can see a structure that reveals God’s plan, human limitations, and a test of faith.
1verseAfterward Moses and Aaron came, and said to Pharaoh, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says, ‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.’”
2versePharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should listen to his voice to let Israel go? I don’t know the LORD, and moreover I will not let Israel go.”
3verseThey said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the LORD, our God, lest he fall on us with pestilence, or with the sword.”
4verseThe king of Egypt said to them, “Why do you, Moses and Aaron, take the people from their work? Get back to your burdens!”
5versePharaoh said, “Behold, the people of the land are now many, and you make them rest from their burdens.”
6verseThe same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their officers, saying,
7verse“You shall no longer give the people straw to make brick, as before. Let them go and gather straw for themselves.
8verseYou shall require from them the number of the bricks which they made before. You shall not diminish anything of it, for they are idle. Therefore they cry, saying, ‘Let’s go and sacrifice to our God.’
9verseLet heavier work be laid on the men, that they may labor in it. Don’t let them pay any attention to lying words.”
10verseThe taskmasters of the people went out with their officers, and they spoke to the people, saying, “This is what Pharaoh says: ‘I will not give you straw.
11verseGo yourselves, get straw where you can find it, for nothing of your work shall be diminished.’”
12verseSo the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw.
13verseThe taskmasters were urgent saying, “Fulfill your work quota daily, as when there was straw!”
14verseThe officers of the children of Israel, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and were asked, “Why haven’t you fulfilled your quota both yesterday and today, in making brick as before?”
15verseThen the officers of the children of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, saying, “Why do you deal this way with your servants?
16verseNo straw is given to your servants, and they tell us, ‘Make brick!’ and behold, your servants are beaten; but the fault is in your own people.”
17verseBut Pharaoh said, “You are idle! You are idle! Therefore you say, ‘Let’s go and sacrifice to the LORD.’
18verseGo therefore now, and work; for no straw shall be given to you; yet you shall deliver the same number of bricks!”
19verseThe officers of the children of Israel saw that they were in trouble when it was said, “You shall not diminish anything from your daily quota of bricks!”
20verseThey met Moses and Aaron, who stood along the way, as they came out from Pharaoh.
21verseThey said to them, “May the LORD look at you and judge, because you have made us a stench to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to kill us!”
22verseMoses returned to the LORD, and said, “Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Why is it that you have sent me?
23verseFor since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people. You have not rescued your people at all!”
Flow of the Passage
- Verses 1–5: Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh and deliver God’s command to let the Israelites go into the wilderness, but Pharaoh refuses, saying that he does not know the LORD.
- Verses 6–14: Pharaoh makes the Israelites’ labor even harder by no longer providing straw for brickmaking while demanding the same quota. This brings suffering on the foremen and the people.
- Verses 15–21: The Israelite foremen appeal to Pharaoh, but after being rebuked they resent Moses and Aaron.
- Verses 22–23: Moses turns back to God in prayer, honestly expressing his confusion over the people’s increased suffering and the difficulty of his mission.
Overall Meaning of Exodus 5
This chapter shows that the process of God’s plan of salvation does not always proceed smoothly. Contrary to human expectations, it indicates that trials and hardships may accompany the unfolding of God’s will. It also suggests the fragility of human beings that becomes apparent when faith collides with real-life suffering, and that we must trust in God’s guidance.
Reflection Points
- Do you remember that the path of following God’s will may sometimes unfold differently from what we think?
- When difficulties come, let us reflect on whether I stay in resentment and fear—or whether I trust God’s will.
- Like Moses, let us consider a faithful attitude of approaching God in difficult moments and speaking honestly.
Personal Application
- In my current life, when I face difficulties I can’t understand or trials that I don’t expect, am I making an effort to trust God’s plan?
- Let us check whether I am praying to God without hiding anything when I encounter problems, and practice relying on God even in small matters as I take one step at a time forward.
