1 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.
2 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.
3 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.
4 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.
5 And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now [are] many, and ye make them rest from their burdens.
6 And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,
7 Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.
8 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.
9 Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.
10 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.
11 Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished.
12 So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw.
13 And the taskmasters hasted [them], saying, Fulfil your works, [your] daily tasks, as when there was straw.
14 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?
15 Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants?
16 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.
17 But he said, Ye [are] idle, [ye are] idle: therefore ye say, Let us go [and] do sacrifice to the LORD.
18 Go therefore now, [and] work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.
19 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.
20 And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh:
21 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.
22 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?
23 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.
Summary of Exodus Chapter 5
Exodus Chapter 5 narrates the initial confrontation between Moses and Aaron and Pharaoh, detailing the challenges faced by the Israelites in Egypt as they seek liberation from slavery. The chapter highlights the themes of oppression, resistance, and faith in divine deliverance.
Key Characters
- Moses: The chosen leader of the Israelites tasked with confronting Pharaoh.
- Aaron: Moses’ brother and spokesperson, who assists him in delivering God’s message.
- Pharaoh: The ruler of Egypt, who represents the oppressive power resisting the Israelites’ freedom.
- Israelites: The enslaved people of Israel, suffering under Pharaoh’s harsh rule.
Major Themes
- Oppression: The chapter illustrates the brutal conditions faced by the Israelites, emphasizing their suffering and the harshness of their labor.
- Resistance: Moses and Aaron’s attempt to confront Pharaoh signifies the struggle against oppression and the desire for freedom.
- Faith and Doubt: The Israelites’ initial hope is met with increased hardship, raising questions about faith in God’s promise of deliverance.
Detailed Analysis
Verses 1-3: The Demand for Freedom
Moses and Aaron approach Pharaoh with a divine message: “Let my people go.” This request signifies the beginning of a struggle for liberation. The insistence on the need for a three-day journey into the wilderness to worship God highlights the importance of spiritual freedom alongside physical liberation.
Verses 4-9: Pharaoh’s Rejection
Pharaoh’s response is one of defiance and disbelief. He questions the authority of the God of Israel and increases the burden on the Israelites by demanding they produce the same amount of bricks without providing straw. This escalation of oppression serves to demonstrate Pharaoh’s power and the extent of his cruelty.
Verses 10-14: Increased Labor for the Israelites
The taskmasters enforce Pharaoh’s orders, leading to greater suffering among the Israelites. The chapter vividly portrays the harsh realities of slavery and the psychological toll it takes on the people, who are now not only oppressed but also demoralized.
Verses 15-19: The Israelites’ Complaint
The Israelite foremen confront Moses and Aaron, expressing their frustration and despair. Their complaint reveals the deepening crisis of faith among the people, as they question the effectiveness of Moses and Aaron’s mission. This moment underscores the tension between divine promise and present suffering.
Verses 20-23: Moses’ Doubts
Moses, upon hearing the complaints of the Israelites, expresses his own doubts to God. He questions why God has allowed this suffering to continue, revealing the human struggle with faith in the face of adversity. This dialogue with God sets the stage for the reaffirmation of God’s covenant and the promise of deliverance in subsequent chapters.
Conclusion
Exodus Chapter 5 serves as a critical turning point in the narrative of the Israelites’ liberation from Egypt. It highlights the immediate challenges faced by Moses and Aaron, the suffering of the Israelites, and the complexity of faith in dire circumstances. The chapter sets the foundation for the unfolding story of redemption and divine intervention that follows.
