Exodus 5:3: Obedience to God?
How does Exodus 5:3 illustrate the importance of obedience to God's commands?

The Setting in Exodus 5:3

“ ‘The God of the Hebrews has met with us,’ they said. ‘Please, let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness so that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God, or He may strike us with plague or sword.’ ”


Key Observations from the Verse

• Moses and Aaron speak as God’s representatives, not on their own initiative.

• Their request (“let us take a three-day journey…”) comes straight from God’s earlier instructions (Exodus 3:18).

• The warning (“or He may strike us with plague or sword”) shows they take God’s commands seriously and expect real consequences for disobedience.

• Obedience is presented as the only safe path; disobedience invites judgment.


Lessons on Obedience

1. God’s word is non-negotiable

– Moses does not bargain or soften the command; he repeats it exactly (cf. Numbers 23:19).

2. Obedience protects from judgment

– The threat of “plague or sword” underscores that ignoring God’s directions leads to tangible discipline (Deuteronomy 28:15, 21).

3. Obedience requires risk and separation

– A three-day trek into the wilderness means leaving comfort, work, and security behind—obedience often demands visible steps of faith (Hebrews 11:8).

4. Obedience prioritizes worship

– Sacrifice is the reason for the journey; honoring God comes before personal convenience or Pharaoh’s agenda (Matthew 6:33).

5. Obedience is a testimony

– By confronting Pharaoh, Moses shows the surrounding nations that Israel serves a living, commanding God (Exodus 9:16).


Supporting Scriptures

Deuteronomy 28:1-2 — blessings tied to “diligently obeying the voice of the LORD.”

1 Samuel 15:22 — “To obey is better than sacrifice.”

John 14:15 — “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”

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


Putting It into Daily Life

• Check every decision against God’s revealed Word; partial compliance is still disobedience.

• Expect obedience to demand courage—like Moses, you may need to confront “Pharaohs” in your world.

• Remember that obedience safeguards you; God disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:5-6).

• Make worship the motive for every act of obedience; when God is central, obedience becomes joy, not duty.

What is the meaning of Exodus 5:3?
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