What does Pharaoh mean when he says, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice"?

When Pharaoh says, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice," he is not asking for information as much as showing his pride. He refuses to recognize the God of Israel as having any claim over him or his kingdom. In his mind, Israel is his property, and their God is nothing to fear or obey. This short question exposes a heart that is closed to God’s authority. It shows how sin can make a person blind to who God is, even when God speaks clearly through His servants.

Why did Moses and Aaron ask for a three days’ journey into the desert?

Moses and Aaron ask Pharaoh to let the people go three days’ journey into the desert to hold a feast and offer sacrifices to the Lord. This request shows that Israel belongs to God and must worship Him as He commands. It is a modest, clear call to let them serve their God. They also warn that if they do not obey God, He may send judgment on them. The request tests whether Pharaoh will respect God’s right over His people, even in a small step.

Why did Pharaoh make the Israelites gather their own straw for bricks?

Pharaoh takes the request to worship as a sign that the Israelites are idle. He decides to punish and control them by removing the straw that had been supplied for making bricks, while still demanding the same daily quota. This cruel rule makes their work almost impossible and deepens their misery. His goal is to crush their hope and keep them from thinking about serving God. It shows how a hard heart often answers God’s word with more oppression instead of humble change.

What were the Israelite officers feeling when they cried to Pharaoh and then blamed Moses and Aaron?

The Israelite officers were trapped between Pharaoh and their own people. They were beaten for not meeting the brick quota, even though no straw was given. When they cried to Pharaoh, they were hoping for fairness, but he only repeated that they were idle. This left them in despair. Seeing no help from Pharaoh, they turned their anger on Moses and Aaron, saying that their words had made them hated and put a sword into Pharaoh’s hand. Their reaction shows how pain and fear can lead people to blame even those who are obeying God.

Why did Moses ask God, "Why is it that thou hast sent me?"

After obeying God and speaking to Pharaoh, Moses sees that the people’s suffering has become worse, not better. The people are angry with him, and Pharaoh is more stubborn than before. In his distress, Moses comes back to God and asks why He has treated the people this way and why He sent him at all. This honest prayer shows that even faithful servants can struggle when God’s plan seems slow and painful. Moses is not rejecting God, but bringing his confusion and hurt to Him, which is the right place to bring such questions.

What does this passage teach about God’s sovereignty and human pride?

In this passage, God clearly speaks through Moses and Aaron, calling Israel “my people” and commanding their release to worship Him. Pharaoh’s proud reply shows a human ruler setting himself against God’s rule. He thinks he can ignore God and tighten his grip on God’s people. Yet the story hints that God is still in charge, even as the suffering increases. The hard response of Pharaoh is part of a larger plan where God will later show His power and care. Human pride may resist for a time, but it cannot overturn God’s purpose.

Why did things seem to get worse right after God sent Moses to help Israel?

When Moses first obeyed God and went to Pharaoh, the result was not quick relief but heavier burdens. The people now had to gather straw and still meet the same quota of bricks. From their point of view, obeying God had only made life harder. This shows that God’s deliverance can begin in a way that looks like a setback. The trouble exposes the cruelty of Pharaoh and prepares the people to see God’s rescue more clearly when it comes. It also teaches God’s servants to trust Him even when they cannot yet see the outcome.

How does this passage speak to believers facing injustice or hardship today?

This passage speaks to people who try to follow God but find that life gets harder instead of easier. Like Israel, you may face unfair treatment, heavier loads, or be misunderstood by others when you want to serve God. Like Moses, you may ask why God sent you or allowed this path. The story reminds us that God still calls His people His own and hears their cries, even when help is not yet visible. It encourages patient trust, honest prayer, and confidence that God’s purpose is moving forward, even through painful seasons.

Exod.5.1

Exodus 5:1

KJV GOD

And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.

Pharaoh’s First Refusal

1 And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.

2 And Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go.

3 And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days’ journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the Lord our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.

4 And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens.

5 And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens.

Bricks and Straw

6 And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,

7 Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.

8 And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.

9 Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.

10 ¶ And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spake to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw.

11 Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished.

12 So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw.

13 And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw.

14 And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day, as heretofore?

The Cry of the Israelites

15 ¶ Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants?

16 There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine own people.

17 But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the Lord.

18 Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.

19 And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in evil case, after it was said, Ye shall not minish ought from your bricks of your daily task.

20 ¶ And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh:

21 And they said unto them, The Lord look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.

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?

23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.