Tyndale Open Study NotesExodus 5

In this section, the Lord promised to rescue the Israelites. He said that he would bring them out of slavery.

At first, the people responded in a positive way. They believed what God said. However, later they faced a crisis of faith. They began to doubt God’s promise and struggled to trust him.

Pharaoh not only rejected the request of Moses to release the Hebrew slaves, he also retaliated by making their work harder. The arrival of the rescuer had actually made the situation worse.

so that they may hold a feast: See study note on 3:18.

Pharaoh quickly addressed the main issue. What god could be greater than Pharaoh? What god could make him do something against his will? This is a key question for all people. Is there anyone or anything more important than my own interests?

He may strike us: God had not said this. Perhaps Moses and Aaron were trying to strengthen their case by saying that they had to obey God or die.

It seems that the people expected the freedom God had promised. Because of this, they stopped their work.

Pharaoh increased the workload to punish their disobedience. He thought they had too much free time (5:8). He could not imagine a god revealing himself outside the royal worship system. He believed they invented their unusual religious ideas instead of working (see also 5:17).

Straw is a binder to help clay and mud bricks retain their form while drying in the sun.

This moment was a turning point. After the first strong response of hope (4:29–31), the promise of rescue led to doubt and anger. The people faced even harsher oppression than before.

Moses, who was called to rescue them, also began to doubt. The situation tested his faith.

The phrase brought trouble upon this people could be translated more strongly as caused evil for this people.

Is God truly good? God did not rescue the people from their difficult situations as he promised. It seems he has made things worse. Is he faithful or not? Is he powerful or not? (compare Psalm 105:25–27).