Exodus 5:22

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?

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?

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

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

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

Exodus 5:22 captures a pivotal moment of human despair and questioning in the leadership of Moses. After his initial confrontation with Pharaoh, which only resulted in increased oppression for the Israelite slaves, Moses returns to the LORD in profound anguish and bewilderment.

Context

Following God's command, Moses and Aaron approached Pharaoh demanding freedom for the Israelites to worship the LORD. Pharaoh not only refused but intensified the Israelites' labor, forcing them to make bricks without straw. This cruel decree led to severe suffering and blame directed at Moses by the Israelite foremen (Exodus 5:21). Feeling the crushing weight of this immediate failure and the compounded misery of his people, Moses turns to God with a desperate, questioning heart. This verse marks a low point for Moses, contrasting sharply with the divine commission he received at the burning bush.

Key Themes

  • Doubt and Despair: Moses' direct challenge to God, "wherefore hast thou [so] evil entreated this people? why [is] it [that] thou hast sent me?", reveals deep discouragement and confusion. He questions God's methods and even His wisdom in sending him, as his mission has seemingly made things worse.
  • Suffering Before Deliverance: This passage powerfully illustrates that God's plan often involves an increase in hardship before the ultimate deliverance. The intensified suffering serves to demonstrate Pharaoh's hardened heart and God's ultimate power to overcome it.
  • The Burden of Leadership: Moses experiences the immense pressure of leading a suffering people while being misunderstood by both the oppressor and the oppressed. His complaint highlights the personal cost of divine calling.
  • God's Unfolding Plan: Despite Moses' immediate perception of failure, God is working according to a larger, sovereign plan, which He will soon reveal (Exodus 6:1).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "evil entreated" (KJV) translates from the Hebrew verb ra'a' (רָעַע), meaning "to be evil, to be bad, to harm, to treat badly." 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. It conveys a sense of betrayal or misunderstanding of God's intentions from Moses' human perspective.

Practical Application

Exodus 5:22 offers profound comfort and insight for believers today. It teaches us that it is permissible, even human, to express our raw doubts and frustrations to God when circumstances seem to worsen despite our obedience. Moses' honest lament demonstrates that true faith doesn't preclude questioning or periods of despair. God often allows trials to intensify to reveal His greater power and to solidify our reliance on Him, much like the promise that all things work together for good. 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.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 20:7 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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