Exodus 5:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then Moses turned to the Lord and said, "O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me?

NIV: Moses returned to the Lord and said, "Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me?

NASB: Then Moses returned to the Lord and said, 'Lord, why have You brought harm to this people? Why did You ever send me?

CSB: So Moses went back to the Lord and asked, "Lord, why have you caused trouble for this people? And why did you ever send me?

NLT: Then Moses went back to the Lord and protested, 'Why have you brought all this trouble on your own people, Lord? Why did you send me?

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?

NKJV: So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Why is it You have sent me?

A recurring theme in Scripture is that God's plans are not always clear, and results are not always immediate (Isaiah 55:8–9; Habakkuk 1:5; Colossians 1:26). God called Moses to deliver Israel from slavery (Exodus 1:11, 13–14) by confronting the Egyptian ruler (Exodus 3:4–6, 10). But Moses' first encounter with Pharaoh (Exodus 5:1–4) resulted in brutal retaliation (Exodus 5:14–18). The people have turned on Moses, blaming him for this turn of events (Exodus 5:20–21).

This leads Moses to a natural question: why is this happening? If God promised to rescue the Hebrews, why are they suffering more after the Lord has begun to speak? Moses' earlier doubts and fears are probably racing through his mind (Exodus 3:11; 4:1, 10, 13). Moses doesn't accuse God of being immoral; the word often translated as "evil" also means "hurt" or "affliction." These two questions could be re-phrased as, "Lord, what are you doing?" and "what's the point of my mission?"

Jesus' earthly ministry also demonstrated moments where it seemed that God's plans were being thwarted. His crucifixion was the most dramatic example: the self-proclaimed Savior dying a shameful death (Matthew 16:21–23). Yet this was part of the plans God had already made (Matthew 26:53–54; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4). Our limited perspective makes despair a common temptation. Scripture calls on us to "hold fast" (Hebrews 4:14), knowing the Lord can work through difficult circumstances to accomplish His purposes (Romans 8:28, 37–39).

Of course, God already told Moses something like this would happen (Exodus 3:19–20). God will respond patiently to Moses' concerns (Exodus 6:1).

Exodus 5:15–23 records the aftermath of Moses and Aaron's first encounter with Egypt's king. Rather than agreeing to let Israel go, the Pharaoh spitefully cut off access to raw materials while demanding that the enslaved people (Exodus 1:13–14) maintain production. This leads to a backlash against Moses and Aaron; the people blame them for making their lives even harder. Moses experiences doubt. He wonders why the situation is worse, not better. The Lord will respond with reassurance (Exodus 6:1).

Moses and Aaron have their first meeting with Egypt's king, the pharaoh. Though they are there to free Israel entirely (Exodus 3:10), they begin with a much less dramatic request: three days to worship their God in the wilderness (Exodus 3:18). Pharaoh refuses. Instead, he spitefully cuts off supply of raw materials—straw—while demanding the same output from the Hebrew slaves. This increases the peoples' burden and gives Pharaoh's taskmasters excuse to abuse them. When the Israelites turn against Moses, he expresses confusion to God.

Moses encountered the Lord (Exodus 3:4–6) during his exile (Exodus 2:15). God commanded Moses to return to Egypt and demand the freedom of the nation of Israel (Exodus 4:21–23). The people had come into Egypt in the days of Joseph (Exodus 1:1–7). Later, they fell into slavery and oppression (Exodus 1:13–14). The first request, in this chapter, is not received well. God will soon bring disasters on Egypt and its stubborn ruler (Exodus 3:10) until His peo-ple are finally released (Exodus 12:41).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.