Moses First Confrontation With Pharaoh

Exodus 5:1–9
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After Moses and Aaron (both in their eighties) had talked with the Jewish leaders, they went to Pharaoh and asked him to let the people go (v. 1). In those days Pharaoh was the most powerful king on earth. He must have been very surprised that anyone would dare to speak to him this way. He questioned the God of Israel as having any authority and refused to let the people go (v. 2). They said the Lord God of Israel has appeared to us (v. 3). Please let us go three days into the desert where we can offer sacrifices to Him, and if you don’t He may strike us down with terrible troubles.

The king asked Moses and Aaron why they were keeping the people from working and told them that everyone must get back to work (vv. 4-5). That same day the King gave orders to his slave bosses not to give any more straw to put in their bricks but for them to find their own straw wherever they can (vv. 6-7). The straw made the mud bricks stronger and kept them from shrinking, cracking or losing their shape. However they are to make the same number of bricks as before (v. 8). He accused them of being lazy because they begged him to let them go and sacrifice to their God. He told the slave bosses to make them work so hard that they won’t have time to listen to these lies (v. 9).

Seven times in these chapters, God says to Pharaoh, “Let my people go!” This command shows that Israel was in bondage; God wanted them to be free that they might serve Him. This is the condition of every lost sinner that is enslaved to the world, the flesh and the devil.

Application

Am I willing to speak up for the Lord even when this world lacks respect for God’s Word and will often make fun of me?