Exodus 5:22

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

And Moses {H4872} returned {H7725} unto the LORD {H3068}, and said {H559}, Lord {H136}, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated {H7489} this people {H5971}? why is it that thou hast sent {H7971} me?

Complete Jewish Bible

Moshe returned to ADONAI and said, "ADONAI, why have you treated this people so terribly? What has been the value of sending me?

Berean Standard Bible

So Moses returned to the LORD and asked, “Lord, why have You brought trouble upon this people? Is this why You sent me?

American Standard Version

And Moses returned unto Jehovah, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou dealt ill with this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 5:22 captures Moses's raw lament and profound crisis of faith following his initial, unsuccessful confrontation with Pharaoh, which paradoxically led to increased oppression for the Israelite slaves. This pivotal moment reveals Moses's deep despair and questioning of God's wisdom and purpose, marking a significant low point in his emerging leadership and highlighting the human struggle with divine providence amidst suffering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the Israelite foremen's bitter complaint to Moses and Aaron, blaming them for the intensified suffering under Pharaoh's cruel decree to make bricks without straw ([Exodus 5:21](/exodus/5-21 "Exodus 5:21 - The Israelite foremen's complaint")). Moses's prayer here is a direct response to this immediate failure and the crushing weight of his people's despair, echoing the pattern of lament found throughout Scripture when God's people face seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It sets the stage for God's powerful reaffirmation of His covenant promises and His impending display of overwhelming power against Pharaoh, as detailed in [Exodus 6:1-8](/exodus/6-1-8 "Exodus 6:1-8 - God's Reaffirmation of His Covenant").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites were enslaved in Egypt, forced into brutal labor, likely building cities like Pithom and Raamses ([Exodus 1:11](/exodus/1-11 "Exodus 1:11 - Israel's forced labor in Egypt")). Pharaoh, as the divine king of Egypt, wielded absolute power, and his refusal to release the Israelites was not just a political decision but a theological challenge to the LORD. The intensification of labor—demanding the same quota of bricks without providing straw—was a common ancient Near Eastern tactic to break the spirit of enslaved peoples, designed to crush any hope of freedom and assert complete dominance. Moses's plea reflects the desperate reality of a people facing not just physical hardship but systemic, soul-crushing oppression.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 5:22 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Exodus. It underscores the theme of **divine sovereignty amidst human suffering**, showing that God allows circumstances to worsen before His ultimate intervention, thereby magnifying His glory. It highlights the **burden and cost of leadership**, as Moses experiences the direct impact of his people's pain and blame, a recurring motif for God's chosen leaders. Furthermore, it introduces the theme of **honest lament and questioning before God**, demonstrating that genuine faith does not preclude expressing doubt or frustration, a theme beautifully explored in the Psalms, such as [Psalm 13](/psalm/13 "Psalm 13 - A Psalm of Lament and Trust"). This verse also sets up the dramatic revelation of God's power over Pharaoh, emphasizing that the *intensification* of suffering is part of God's plan to demonstrate His might and faithfulness in an undeniable way, leading to the ultimate deliverance of His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Exodus 5:22 captures Moses at a profound moment of human anguish and bewilderment, a stark contrast to the divine commission he received at the burning bush. After his initial confrontation with Pharaoh yielded only increased oppression for the Israelite slaves, Moses returns to the LORD, not with renewed faith, but with a raw, desperate lament. His direct challenge, "Lord, wherefore hast thou [so] evil entreated this people? why [is] it [that] thou hast sent me?" reveals a deep discouragement and confusion, a perceived failure that shakes the very foundation of his calling.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **returned (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** This primitive root signifies "to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again." In this context, Moses's "returning" to the LORD is not merely a physical act but a spiritual turning back to the source of his commission, albeit with a heart heavy with complaint rather than confident expectation. It implies a seeking of accountability from God Himself.
* **evil entreated (Hebrew, _râʻaʻ'_):** This primitive root means "to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e. bad (physically, socially or morally); afflict, (be, bring, do) evil (doer, entreat, man), do harm, (do) hurt." Moses uses this strong term to express his perception that God has, in effect, brought harm or greater affliction upon the Israelites by initiating this confrontation with Pharaoh. From Moses's human perspective, God's actions have led to a worse outcome for His people, conveying a sense of betrayal or misunderstanding.
* **sent (Hebrew, _shâlach'_):** This primitive root means "to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)." Moses's question, "why is it that thou hast sent me?" directly challenges the divine commission he received. He perceives his mission as a failure, not because of his own inadequacy, but because God's sending has seemingly resulted in greater suffering rather than deliverance, leading him to question the very purpose and wisdom of his divine appointment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses returned unto the LORD":** This phrase signifies Moses's turning back to God, not in praise or confident prayer, but in a state of deep distress and questioning. It highlights his direct access to God, even in his moments of doubt, underscoring the intimate relationship between the human leader and the divine sovereign.
* **"and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou [so] evil entreated this people?":** Moses's lament is a direct, unfiltered complaint to God. The term "evil entreated" (or "dealt ill with") is a strong accusation, reflecting Moses's perception that God's intervention has paradoxically worsened the plight of the Israelites. This clause reveals the profound human struggle to reconcile a good and powerful God with present suffering and seemingly negative outcomes.
* **"why [is] it [that] thou hast sent me?":** This second question is a direct challenge to God's wisdom and purpose in calling Moses. It expresses a crisis of purpose and identity for Moses, who feels that his divine mission has not only failed but has actively contributed to the increased misery of his people. It encapsulates his despair and confusion regarding God's plan and his role within it.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Lament** is central, as Moses pours out his heart in complaint to God, a common form of prayer in the Old Testament expressing distress and seeking divine intervention. The use of **rhetorical questions** ("wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?") emphasizes Moses's bewilderment and frustration, not necessarily seeking an immediate answer but expressing the depth of his emotional turmoil. There is a strong element of **pathos**, evoking sympathy for Moses's plight and the suffering of the Israelites. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **turning point** in the narrative, marking the nadir of human expectation before God's dramatic, redemptive intervention, setting the stage for the powerful demonstrations of divine might that follow.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 5:22 is a profound theological statement, revealing that God often allows circumstances to worsen before revealing His ultimate power and deliverance. This period of intensified suffering serves to test and refine the faith of His people, demonstrate the hardened heart of the oppressor, and ultimately magnify God's glory when He intervenes decisively. It teaches us that authentic faith permits honest lament and questioning before God; He is not intimidated by our doubts and hears our cries, often using such moments to draw us into deeper dependence and understanding of His inscrutable but perfect plans.

* [Psalm 77:7-10](/psalm/77-7-10 "A Questioning of God's Faithfulness")
* [Habakkuk 1:2-4](/habakkuk/1-2-4 "Habakkuk's Complaint to God")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "God Works All Things for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 5:22 offers profound comfort and insight for believers today, reminding us that even the greatest biblical figures experienced moments of profound doubt and despair. It teaches us that it is permissible, even human, to express our raw doubts, frustrations, and perceived failures directly to God when circumstances seem to worsen despite our obedience. Moses's honest lament demonstrates that true faith does not preclude questioning or periods of despair; rather, it is in these moments that our faith is refined and deepened as we learn to trust God's character and sovereign plan even when His methods are beyond our comprehension. This verse reminds us that God hears our complaints and is faithful to reveal His purpose and deliver on His promises, even when the path is difficult and our understanding limited, ultimately working all things for His glory and our good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When faced with worsening circumstances despite your obedience, how do you typically respond? Do you feel comfortable expressing raw lament to God?**
* **How does Moses's complaint here challenge or affirm your understanding of what "faith" looks like in difficult times?**
* **Can you recall a time when God allowed a situation to worsen before revealing His greater power or purpose? What did you learn about His character in that experience?**

### FAQ
**Does Moses's complaint indicate a lack of faith?**

Answer: While Moses expresses deep despair and questions God's method and wisdom, his complaint is directed *to* the LORD, not away from Him. This demonstrates a form of desperate faith—he still believes God is the one who can intervene, even if he doesn't understand why things are worsening. It's an honest lament from a burdened heart, akin to many psalms where the psalmist cries out to God in distress while still acknowledging His sovereignty and power (e.g., [Psalm 22](/psalm/22 "A Cry of Anguish and a Song of Praise")). It reveals the authenticity of his relationship with God, where even doubt can be brought into the divine presence.

**Why would God allow the suffering of His people to intensify?**

Answer: God often allows suffering to intensify for several profound reasons, all serving His greater redemptive purposes. Firstly, it serves to fully expose and demonstrate the enemy's hardened heart and true nature, as seen with Pharaoh's escalating cruelty ([Exodus 7:3-5](/exodus/7-3-5 "God Hardens Pharaoh's Heart")). Secondly, it allows for a more dramatic and undeniable display of God's own overwhelming power in deliverance, ensuring that both His people and their oppressors know that He is the LORD ([Exodus 9:16](/exodus/9-16 "God's Power Displayed in Pharaoh")). Thirdly, it humbles His people, teaching them complete reliance on Him and removing any trust in human strength or strategy. Finally, this intensification often prepares them for the magnitude of the redemption He is about to bring, making the eventual salvation all the more glorious and memorable. This pattern underscores that God's ways are higher than human ways, and His wisdom transcends our immediate understanding ([Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Moses's profound anguish and questioning in [Exodus 5:22](/exodus/5-22 "Moses's Lament to the LORD") serve as a powerful foreshadowing of the greater burden and suffering that the ultimate Deliverer, Jesus Christ, would endure. Just as Moses bore the weight of his people's suffering and their blame, Jesus, though innocent, bore the ultimate weight of humanity's sin and experienced profound anguish, even crying out to God on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Jesus' Cry from the Cross")). From a human perspective, Christ's crucifixion appeared to be the ultimate "evil entreatment" and a catastrophic failure of His mission. Yet, just as Moses's suffering was a prelude to Israel's miraculous deliverance from Egypt, Christ's suffering and perceived failure on the cross were the necessary prelude to humanity's ultimate redemption and His glorious resurrection. He is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")), enduring the ultimate "evil entreatment" for the sake of His people, demonstrating God's sovereign plan to bring salvation and eternal deliverance through the path of suffering and apparent defeat, culminating in triumph over sin and death ([Colossians 2:13-15](/colossians/2-13-15 "Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 20:7

¶ O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.

1 Kings 19:10

And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, [even] I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

1 Samuel 30:6

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

Numbers 11:11

And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?

1 Kings 19:4

But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I [am] not better than my fathers.

Habakkuk 2:3

For the vision [is] yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Psalms 73:25

Whom have I in heaven [but thee]? and [there is] none upon earth [that] I desire beside thee.