출애굽기 Chapter 5

Translation: ESV

1

Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said 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.'

Key Message

The ultimate purpose of the Exodus is not freedom itself but the freedom to worship God; true liberation is completed in worship offered to God.

▸The demand 'Let my people go (shalaḥ et-ammi)' is the core demand running through all of Exodus.

The demand 'Let my people go (shalaḥ et-ammi)' is the core demand running through all of Exodus. We must note that the reason Israel wants liberation is not simple freedom but 'holding a feast before God'—that is, worship. The goal of the Exodus is not merely slave liberation but the creation of a community that worships God. Freedom is freedom for worship.

Related Verses

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.
2

But Pharaoh said, '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.'

Key Message

Not knowing God is the enemy of faith, and God's acts in history are a vivid answer to the question 'Who is Yahweh?'

▸Pharaoh's question 'Who is the LORD?' is the central question of Exodus.

9

Let heavier work be laid on the men that they may labor at it and pay no regard to lying words.

Key Message

The beginning of salvation may lead to greater suffering, but this is not a failure of God's plan but a process toward greater salvation.

▸Pharaoh labels Moses and Aaron's message 'lying words' and responds by making the labor heavier.

21

And they said to them, 'The LORD look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.'

Key Message

When the situation worsens during the process of salvation, blaming the leader is a natural response, but faith means trusting God's plan and persevering.

▸The Israelite foremen blame Moses and Aaron.

22

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

Key Message

Honest lament prayer in the midst of suffering is an expression of genuine relationship with God, and God hears and responds to the doubts and complaints of His servant.

▸After receiving the people's accusations, Moses comes to God and honestly presents his doubts and complaints.