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Commentary on Exodus 5 verses 3–9
Finding that Pharaoh had no veneration at all for God, Moses and Aaron next try whether he had any compassion for Israel, and become humble suitors to him for leave to go and sacrifice, but in vain.
I. Their request is very humble and modest, Exo 5:3. They make no complaint of the rigour they were ruled with. They plead that the journey they designed was not a project formed among themselves, but that their God had met with them, and called them to it. They beg with all submission: We pray thee. The poor useth entreaties; though God may summon princes that oppress, it becomes us to beseech and make supplication to them. What they ask is very reasonable, only for a short vacation, while they went three days' journey into the desert, and that on a good errand, and unexceptionable: "We will sacrifice unto the Lord our God, as other people do to theirs;" and, lastly, they give a very good reason, "Lest, if we quite cast off his worship, he fall upon us with one judgment or other, and then Pharaoh will lose his vassals."
II. Pharaoh's denial of their request is very barbarous and unreasonable, Exo 5:4-9.
1.His suggestions were very unreasonable. (1.) That the people were idle, and that therefore they talked of going to sacrifice. The cities they built for Pharaoh, and the other fruit of their labours, were witnesses for them that they were not idle; yet he thus basely misrepresents them, that he might have a pretence to increase their burdens. (2.) That Moses and Aaron made them idle with vain words, Exo 5:9. God's words are here called vain words; and those that called them to the best and most needful business are accused of making them idle. Note, The malice of Satan has often represented the service and worship of God as fit employment for those only that have nothing else to do, and the business only of the idle; whereas indeed it is the indispensable duty of those that are most busy in the world.
2.His resolutions hereupon were most barbarous. (1.) Moses and Aaron themselves must get to their burdens (Exo 5:4); they are Israelites, and, however God had distinguished them from the rest, Pharaoh makes no difference: they must share in the common slavery of their nation. Persecutors have always taken a particular pleasure in putting contempt and hardship upon the ministers of the churches. (2.) The usual tale of bricks must be exacted, without the usual allowance of straw to mix with the clay, or to burn the bricks with, that thus more work might be laid upon the men, which if they performed, they would be broken with labour; and, if not, they would be exposed to punishment.
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SUMMARY
Pharaoh's immediate and contemptuous response to Moses and Aaron's divine appeal marks the direct confrontation between God's chosen deliverers and the unyielding king of Egypt. He dismisses their God-given mandate as a mere disruption of his vital slave labor, viewing them as agitators rather than divine emissaries, thereby setting the stage for the escalating conflict between the sovereign Lord and the defiant earthly ruler.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse immediately follows Moses and Aaron's initial, bold demand to Pharaoh: "Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, 'Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness'" (Exodus 5:1). Pharaoh's response in Exodus 5:2 is equally defiant, stating, "Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and moreover, I will not let Israel go." Moses and Aaron then reiterate their plea, emphasizing the potential for plague if they do not go (Exodus 5:3). Exodus 5:4 is Pharaoh's direct, dismissive retort to this persistent request, shifting from a theological rejection to a practical accusation of disrupting his economic order. It marks the first direct clash between the divine will, expressed through Moses and Aaron, and the hardened will of Pharaoh, escalating the tension and setting the stage for the subsequent plagues.
Historical & Cultural Context: Ancient Egypt was a highly centralized, agrarian society dependent on a vast labor force, including enslaved peoples, for monumental building projects, infrastructure, and agricultural production. The Israelites, as described in Exodus 1:11-14, were subjected to brutal forced labor (corvée labor), building cities like Pithom and Raamses. Pharaoh, as the divine king, was considered a god on earth, the embodiment of order (Ma'at), and the ultimate authority. Any challenge to his decree or the productivity of his workforce would be seen not just as insubordination, but as an affront to the divine order he represented. His concern was purely economic and political: maintaining control over his vital labor supply and preventing any unrest that might undermine his absolute power.
Key Themes: Exodus 5:4 encapsulates several crucial themes that permeate the book of Exodus. Firstly, it highlights the clash of authorities: the sovereign God of Israel versus the self-proclaimed divine authority of Pharaoh. Pharaoh's question, "Wherefore do ye... let the people from their works?" underscores his complete disregard for divine command, viewing it solely as a disruption of his human-controlled system. Secondly, it emphasizes the dehumanizing nature of oppression and slavery, where people are reduced to mere labor units, and any cessation of work is seen as an act of rebellion against the oppressor. This sets the stage for God's redemptive act, liberating a people from such bondage, as seen throughout the Exodus narrative. Finally, the verse foreshadows the escalation of conflict and the necessity of divine intervention. Pharaoh's immediate and harsh refusal demonstrates the depth of his resistance, signaling that only a display of overwhelming divine power, as detailed in the subsequent chapters of Exodus, will achieve Israel's liberation.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. Irony is prominent, as Pharaoh, who considers himself divine and all-powerful, is unknowingly setting himself against the true Almighty God, a conflict he is destined to lose. His dismissal of Moses and Aaron as mere troublemakers is ironic given their divine commission and the cataclysmic events that will follow. There is also clear Antithesis at play: the contrast between the freedom and rest sought by God's people versus the relentless, oppressive "burdens" imposed by Pharaoh. This highlights the fundamental opposition between God's liberating will and human enslavement. Furthermore, the verse serves as an act of Foreshadowing, signaling the intense and protracted struggle that will unfold between God and Pharaoh, culminating in the mighty acts of God that will demonstrate His ultimate sovereignty and power over all earthly rulers.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 5:4 is a pivotal moment, showcasing the foundational conflict between divine authority and human rebellion. Pharaoh's dismissive question and command reveal his utter disregard for the God of Israel, whom he explicitly states he does not know or acknowledge (Exodus 5:2). He perceives Moses and Aaron as mere political agitators, not divine emissaries, thereby setting his will directly against God's. This verse highlights the dehumanizing aspect of slavery, where individuals are reduced to mere labor units, and any attempt to pause or cease work is seen as an act of rebellion against the established, oppressive system. Despite this immediate and harsh refusal, God does not abandon His plan. This initial setback is a prelude to God demonstrating His overwhelming power and faithfulness, reminding us that His purposes will ultimately prevail, even against the strongest human opposition.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 5:4 offers profound insights for believers today. Just as Pharaoh resisted God's clear command, we may encounter significant resistance from worldly systems, authorities, or even personal habits when seeking to follow God's will. Often, spiritual pursuits, calls to ministry, or acts of obedience are deemed "unproductive," a "distraction," or an interruption from what the world values—mirroring Pharaoh's focus on labor over liberation. This verse serves as an early reminder that standing for truth and freedom, whether spiritual or physical, rarely comes without confrontation with entrenched powers. It calls us to courage and steadfastness, knowing that opposition is often a sign that we are indeed challenging the status quo for God's kingdom. Yet, despite this initial setback, God's unwavering persistence in His plan for Israel assures us that His divine purposes will ultimately prevail, even against the strongest opposition, encouraging us to remain steadfast in our own callings and trust in His ultimate victory.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "let the people from their works" mean in this context?
Answer: In the King James Version, the word "let" is used in an older sense meaning "to hinder," "to stop," or "to cause to cease." Therefore, Pharaoh is accusing Moses and Aaron of interrupting or stopping the Israelite people from their forced labor. He sees their request as a direct disruption to his kingdom's productivity and an act of insubordination against his authority.
Why did Pharaoh react so harshly to Moses and Aaron?
Answer: Pharaoh's harsh reaction stems from several factors: his absolute power as king, his self-perception as a divine ruler, his complete ignorance and defiant disregard for the God of Israel (Exodus 5:2), and his perception of the Israelites as vital, expendable labor units. He views Moses and Aaron not as divine messengers, but as rebellious agitators attempting to undermine his authority and disrupt the economic stability of his empire by freeing his slave workforce. His response is a defense of his perceived divine right and the established order.
What is the significance of "burdens" in this verse?
Answer: The "burdens" (Hebrew: çᵉbâlâh) refer explicitly to the heavy, grueling, and oppressive tasks of forced labor imposed upon the Israelites. Pharaoh's command, "get you unto your burdens," is a deliberate act of intensifying their oppression. It signifies the dehumanizing nature of their slavery, where their lives were defined by toil and hardship, as detailed in Exodus 1:11. By sending Moses and Aaron back to these "burdens," Pharaoh underscores his intent to maintain and even increase the Israelites' suffering, rather than granting them any relief or freedom.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The confrontation initiated in Exodus 5:4 powerfully foreshadows the ultimate deliverance wrought by Jesus Christ. Just as Moses and Aaron confronted Pharaoh, the embodiment of earthly oppression and a type of the forces of darkness, Jesus Christ confronts the spiritual powers of sin, death, and Satan that hold humanity in far greater bondage. Pharaoh's demand for the Israelites to return to their "burdens" mirrors the oppressive weight of sin and the impossible demands of the Law, from which Christ delivers us. He is the true deliverer who, through His perfect life, atoning sacrifice on the cross, and victorious resurrection, leads His people out of spiritual slavery into genuine freedom and rest, fulfilling the Exodus narrative on a cosmic scale. Jesus invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him for rest (Matthew 11:28-30), for He has conquered the one who holds the power of death (Hebrews 2:14-15). Through His finished work, He ensures that no earthly ruler or spiritual foe can prevent the liberation He offers, setting us truly free from the curse of the law and the dominion of sin (Galatians 3:13; John 8:36).