Summary
Not many things are as easy as they first seem. Beginning in confidence, we are often taken aback by opposition or unanticipated roadblocks to goals. If this is true of everyday events, it is also true of putting sin to death and worshipping God as we ought to.
Moses’ return to Egypt had gone better than he anticipated, as the Elders and God’s people accepted his message and calling. But Pharaoh had no plans to easily let God’s people go, and in Exodus 5 we see the oppression that the Israelites faced grow. Exodus 5 shows the first confrontation with Pharaoh, the increase in the burden, and the cries of God’s people.
Our passage explained
v1-5
The first five verses discuss the first confrontation of Pharaoh by Moses and Aaron. After his return to Egypt, Moses and Aaron go with the Elders of Israel to an audience with Pharaoh. There, they relay God’s command to Pharaoh to “Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness” (v.1). This command clearly stated that the Israelites belong to God, not the (supposed) god-king Pharaoh, and that they owe their life and work to God, not him.
If Pharaoh accepts this command, then releasing the Israelites from slavery is a logical consequence. Pharaoh is unimpressed by this idea, and sarcastically refuses to acknowledge God’s authority over him or do as God commands (v.2).
Since Pharaoh will not listen to God, perhaps he will listen to reason? Moses and Aaron attempt to soften the command by suggesting that if he does not let the Israelites worship their god, then he will lose them anyway (v.3).
But Pharaoh is no more persuaded by this argument either, instead he sees their request as an upheaval of Egyptian society and suggests that Moses and Aaron are responsible for the Israelites standing around lazily, not working (vv.4-5).
v6-14
Instead of releasing the Israelites from their oppression, Pharaoh increases it. The same day, he requires that the Israelites also find the straw (previously provided) which they mixed with Nile clay to form the large, strong bricks used for their building projects (vv.6-7). But they must produce the same number of bricks as before. Pharaoh thinks all this talk of freedom and worshipping God means they have too much time on their hands, and must be kept busy before they rebel (vv.8-9).
The taskmasters and foremen go to the Israelites, sharing the good news of their extra burdens (vv.10-11). God wants them to be free to worship and serve him; Pharaoh prefers they continue to serve him. Whose word is more powerful? Pharaoh is suggesting with these commands that his words are.
The increase in the burden sees God’s people scattered throughout the land of Egypt to gather together the straw needed to make the bricks, while the taskmasters urgently command “complete your work, your daily task each day, as when there was straw” (vv.12-13). The pressure builds and the foremen of God’s people, who in some sense collaborate with the regime, are beaten for the fellow countrymen failing to make the quota (v.14).
v15-23
The extra burdens unleash cries from God’s people. The foremen appeal to Pharaoh, asking why the state is imposing this burden on them (vv.15-16). They describe themselves as “your servants”, implying dependence on him, not God, for their well-being. Pharaoh inflexibly dismisses them, accusing them of laziness (vv.17-19) which puts the foremen in a difficult position.
The foremen approach Moses and Aaron, and blame them for their situation (vv.20-21). They reject Moses and Aaron as God’s spokesmen, since their situation has got worse, not better as promised. God’s relief has not come by Moses and Aaron, who only seem to make things worse.
Moses’ response appears to be bewilderment, since he cries out to God “why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me?” (v.22) Rather than God’s people being rescued, they have felt even heavier oppression (v.23). God’s answer to Moses’ lack of understanding will come later.
Our passage applied
Moses’ reaction reminds us that God’s working can be difficult to understand. We read God’s promises to sanctify and cleanse us from our sins, and wonder why we still struggle. We hear God’s Word proclaim his presence with us, and wonder why we feel distant from him.
God’s purposes work out differently to our expectations, on his own timing. Sometimes to help us truly depend on God, he allows us to fall deeper into trouble. We should not assume instant satisfaction guaranteed, but like Moses turn to God for understanding.
This passage also demonstrates the world’s opposition to our worship of God. Pharaoh saw himself as more powerful than God, and increased the Israelites burdens to try and prove it. Likewise, the world will increase our burdens, whether through enticing attractions which encourage us to collaborate with the world, or through heavier burdens so we abandon thoughts of forsaking the world for Christ.
But Christ has already overcome the world, and so too, trusting in Christ, will we.
Resources
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