What is the meaning of Exodus 5:22? So Moses returned to the LORD • After Pharaoh’s harsh response (Exodus 5:1–21), Moses’ first move is to go back to God, not away from Him. • This models the reflex of faith: “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). • Returning underscores covenant intimacy; Moses knows God is accessible, just as David cried, “In my distress I called upon the LORD” (Psalm 18:6). • The verse reminds us that obedience may deepen difficulty before deliverance, yet the proper direction is always toward the Lord. and asked • Moses does not lecture God; he petitions. Prayer is a dialogue where questions are welcome (Psalm 142:1–2). • Honest lament fits within reverence. Hebrews 4:16 invites us to “approach the throne of grace with confidence,” which Moses does here. • Asking reflects dependence, acknowledging that answers lie with God alone, not in human scheming (Proverbs 3:5–6). “Lord, why have You brought trouble upon this people?” • The Hebrew slaves suffer more because straw is withheld (Exodus 5:7–9, 14). Moses interprets the worsening situation as God-caused “trouble.” • Scripture records similar “why” prayers (Jeremiah 12:1; Habakkuk 1:2–3). Such questions do not negate faith; they express it. • God’s purposes often include temporary affliction to display greater glory (John 9:3; Romans 8:28). • Moses identifies with the people’s pain, foreshadowing Christ, who “was troubled in spirit” for His own (John 13:21). “Is this why You sent me?” • Moses doubts his mission’s success, echoing earlier insecurities (Exodus 3:11, 4:10). • Calling can be questioned when results look opposite of the promise (2 Corinthians 1:8–9). • Still, Moses frames the issue as God’s sending, maintaining divine sovereignty. • God will soon answer with reassurance and revelation of His name (Exodus 6:2–8), proving the mission is right on schedule. summary Exodus 5:22 captures the moment when obedience seems to backfire. Moses, faithful yet frustrated, turns to the Lord with raw questions. The verse teaches that believers may experience intensified trials immediately after stepping out in faith. God invites candid dialogue, uses temporary hardship to advance His redemptive plan, and remains sovereign over every setback. |
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