How should believers respond to authority figures who act unjustly, as in Exodus 5:6?

◄ Believers' response to unjust authority? ►

The Historical Snapshot

Exodus 5:6 — “That same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their overseers.”

• Israel has just asked for a three-day journey to worship God (5:1).

• Pharaoh’s response is punitive control: heavier quotas, no straw, ruthless beatings (5:7-14).

• The people groan; Moses wrestles with discouragement (5:22-23).

What the Passage Shows About Unjust Authority

• Unjust rulers resist God’s claims and tighten their grip (5:2, 6-9).

• Oppression often intensifies right after obedience steps out.

• God is neither surprised nor hindered; He is preparing to display His power (6:1).

Core Responses for Believers Today

1. Submit without sinning

– Romans 13:1-2 “For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”

– Submission means respecting the office, completing honest work, refusing retaliation, while never participating in evil.

2. Appeal righteously

– Exodus 5:15-16: Israel’s foremen respectfully present their case to Pharaoh.

– Daniel 1:8-14; Acts 25:10-11 show lawful, truthful appeals.

3. Obey God when commands collide

– Acts 5:29 “We must obey God rather than men.”

– Exodus 1:17: Hebrew midwives feared God and preserved life.

4. Entrust the outcome to the Lord

– 1 Peter 2:23 “When He was reviled, He did not revile in return… but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.”

– Psalm 37:7-9 calls believers to rest, refrain from anger, and wait for the Lord.

5. Endure with hope and perseverance

– James 1:12 promises blessing to those who persevere under trial.

– 2 Timothy 2:12 “If we endure, we will also reign with Him.”

Practical “Monday-Morning” Steps

• Do excellent work even under unfair oversight (Colossians 3:23).

• Speak truth respectfully; avoid gossip and slander (Ephesians 4:29).

• Pray for those in authority—yes, even the unjust ones (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

• Seek lawful remedies: HR policies, legal recourse, wise counsel (Proverbs 15:22).

• Maintain fellowship so discouragement doesn’t isolate you (Hebrews 10:24-25).

• Keep the long view: God uses oppression to refine faith and showcase deliverance (Romans 8:28; Exodus 6:6).

Encouragement to Remember

• The same God who heard Israel’s groans (Exodus 2:24) hears yours.

• Pharaoh’s hardness became the stage for the Red Sea; your trial can become the stage for God’s glory.