Intro: Let My People Go and Pharaoh’s Hardened Heart
Exodus 5 captures one of the most pivotal confrontations in Scripture: when Moses and Aaron stand before Pharaoh declaring God’s command, “Let My People Go.” Instead of releasing Israel, Pharaoh’s hardened heart led him to intensify their oppression. Soon came the cruel decree that Israel gets no straw for bricks, yet their quota would remain the same. This passage highlights the tension between God’s promises and the harsh realities of resistance. Read the full Exodus 1 through 6 summary here.
Pharaoh’s Defiance of God’s Command
Moses and Aaron approached Pharaoh with boldness, declaring God’s words: “Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let My People Go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness” (Exodus 5:1, KJV). Pharaoh scoffed at the request, asking, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice?” His defiance was not merely political but spiritual, openly rejecting the authority of God.
Pharaoh’s hardened heart reflects the broader theme seen throughout Scripture—when God’s people advance in obedience, opposition often rises. Just as Jesus said, “If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20, KJV), Pharaoh embodies the worldly power that resists divine authority.
Israel Gets No Straw for Bricks
Pharaoh not only rejected the command to Let My People Go but also punished the Israelites by making their labor even harder. He declared that Israel gets no straw for bricks while still demanding the same daily quota. The people were scattered throughout Egypt, desperately searching for stubble to mix with clay.
This decree that Israel gets no straw for bricks broke their spirit and turned their frustration against Moses. Instead of seeing him as a deliverer, many blamed him for worsening their situation. Here we see how faith in God’s plan is tested when circumstances appear to deteriorate before they improve.
Parallel to Nehemiah’s Opposition
This pattern of opposition is mirrored later in Nehemiah’s day. As Nehemiah rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls, enemies like Sanballat and Tobiah mocked, threatened, and sought to discourage the people (Nehemiah 4:7–8). Just as Pharaoh’s hardened heart and his decree that Israel gets no straw for bricks increased the burden, Nehemiah’s enemies tried to sow fear and exhaustion.
The lesson is clear: whenever God’s people take steps of faith, resistance should be expected. Opposition is not proof that God’s plan has failed, but rather a sign that His purposes are advancing against the enemy’s strongholds.
Moses’ Frustration and God’s Plan
Facing the complaints of Israel, Moses turned to God in prayer. He cried, “Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?” (Exodus 5:22, KJV). Moses’ frustration was raw and honest, reflecting the weight of leadership.
God would soon reveal that Pharaoh’s hardened heart was part of the plan to display His power more fully. The harder Pharaoh’s heart became, the greater God’s deliverance would be. This truth reminds us that what looks like delay or defeat is often the stage upon which God performs His greatest works.
Lessons from Exodus 5
Exodus 5 offers practical and spiritual insights:
- Expect resistance when obeying God – Pharaoh’s harsh response to “Let My People Go” teaches that obedience often triggers opposition.
- Oppression can cloud perspective – Israel blamed Moses instead of recognizing Pharaoh’s hardened heart and cruelty. Trials can distort our focus unless we cling to God’s promises.
- Leadership involves bearing misunderstanding – Moses faced criticism from those he came to help, foreshadowing the rejection Christ Himself would endure.
- God’s timing is perfect – Though the situation worsened, and Israel gets no straw for bricks, it set the stage for greater miracles, reminding us that God’s plan is never thwarted.
Conclusion
Exodus 5 teaches us that Pharaoh’s harsh response, Pharaoh’s hardened heart, and the decree that Israel gets no straw for bricks were not the end of God’s mission but the beginning of His greater display of power. Though the burdens increased and the people struggled, God’s deliverance was drawing near. Like Moses, we may question when opposition rises, but faith assures us that God’s plan will prevail.
For the full passage, read Exodus 5 (KJV) here. For further study, visit our Exodus hub article covering the story chapter by chapter.