Topical Encyclopedia Moses, a central figure in the Old Testament, is renowned for his role as the deliverer of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. His mission, however, was fraught with challenges, particularly during his initial encounters with Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt. The narrative of Moses being rejected by Pharaoh and the subsequent increase in the hardships of the Israelites is a pivotal moment in the Exodus account, illustrating the struggle between divine command and human obstinacy.Divine Commission and Initial Rejection Moses was divinely appointed to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, as recorded in the Book of Exodus. God appeared to Moses in the burning bush, instructing him to go to Pharaoh and demand the release of His people (Exodus 3:10). Despite Moses' initial reluctance and self-doubt, God reassured him of His presence and power, equipping him with signs to perform before Pharaoh (Exodus 4:1-17). Upon his return to Egypt, Moses, accompanied by his brother Aaron, approached Pharaoh with the command from the LORD: "Let My people go, so that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness" (Exodus 5:1). Pharaoh's response was one of defiance and ignorance of the LORD, saying, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go" (Exodus 5:2). This rejection marked the beginning of a series of confrontations between Moses and Pharaoh, highlighting the latter's hardened heart. Increased Hardships for the Israelites Pharaoh's rejection of Moses' request led to a severe escalation in the oppression of the Israelites. In retaliation, Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters to cease providing straw for brick-making, forcing the Israelites to gather their own straw while maintaining the same quota of bricks (Exodus 5:6-8). This decree significantly increased the burden on the Israelites, as they struggled to meet the demands under harsher conditions. The Israelites' foremen, unable to fulfill the quotas, were beaten and blamed Moses and Aaron for their worsening plight, saying, "May the LORD look upon you and judge you, for you have made us a stench to Pharaoh and his officials, putting a sword in their hand to kill us" (Exodus 5:21). This reaction reflects the despair and frustration of the Israelites, who saw their situation deteriorate despite Moses' assurances of deliverance. Moses' Despair and God's Assurance Faced with the increased suffering of his people and their accusations, Moses turned to the LORD in distress, questioning why He had sent him and why the situation had worsened (Exodus 5:22-23). In response, God reaffirmed His promise to deliver the Israelites with a mighty hand, assuring Moses that Pharaoh would eventually let them go (Exodus 6:1). This episode underscores the theme of divine sovereignty and human resistance. Despite Pharaoh's initial rejection and the subsequent increase in the Israelites' hardships, God's plan for deliverance remained steadfast. The narrative sets the stage for the unfolding of the ten plagues and the eventual exodus, demonstrating God's power and faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to His people. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 5:1And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus said the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness. Nave's Topical Index Library Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ... Memoir of John Bunyan The Pilgrim's Progress Resources Who was Moses in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgHow many times did Moses ascend Mount Sinai? | GotQuestions.org Why was Moses not allowed to enter the Promised Land? | GotQuestions.org Moses: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Iconoclasm: Destroyed by Moses Moses is a Herdsman for Jethro in the Desert of Horeb Moses with Aaron Assembles the Leaders of Israel Moses with his Wife and Sons, he Leaves Jethro to Perform his Mission in Egypt Moses: A Levite and Son of Amram Moses: Appoints Joshua As his Successor Moses: Benedictions of Last Benediction Upon the Twelve Tribes Moses: Benedictions of Upon the People Moses: Character of Called the Man of God Moses: Character of Complainings of Moses: Character of God Spoke To, As a Man to his Friend Moses: Character of Impatience of Moses: Character of Magnanimity of, Toward Eldad and Medad Moses: Character of Magnified of God Moses: Character of Meekness of Moses: Character of Obedience of Moses: Character of Respected and Feared Moses: Character of Unaspiring Moses: Commissioned As Leader of the Israelites Moses: Composes a Song for the People of Israel on Their Deliverance from Pharaoh Moses: Crosses the Red Sea; Pharaoh and his Army are Destroyed Moses: Discovered and Adopted by the Daughter of Pharaoh Moses: Has the Vision of the Burning Bush Moses: Hidden in a Small Basket Moses: His Controversy With his Wife on Account of Circumcision Moses: His Loyalty to his Race Moses: His Rod Miraculously Turned Into a Serpent, and his Hand Was Made Leprous, and Then Restored Moses: Institutes a System of Government Moses: Jealousy of Aaron and Miriam Toward Moses: Joined by his Family in the Wilderness Moses: Joins Himself to Jethro, Priest of Midian Moses: Learned in all the Wisdom of Egypt Moses: Meets Aaron in the Wilderness Moses: Mourning For, Thirty Days in the Plains of Moab Moses: Not Permitted to Enter Canaan, But Views the Land from Atop Mount Pisgah Moses: People Complain Against Moses and Aaron Moses: Present With Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration Moses: Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram Against Moses: Receives Comfort and Assurance from the Lord Moses: Rejected by Pharaoh; Hardships of the Israelites Increased Moses: Renews his Appeal to Pharaoh Moses: Reproves Aaron For: Irregularity in the offerings Moses: Reproves Aaron For: Making the Golden Calf Moses: Secures the Deliverance of the People and Leads Them out of Egypt Moses: Takes the Life of an Egyptian Taskmaster Moses: Under Divine Direction Brings Plagues Upon the Land of Egypt Mutiny: Israelites Against Moses Related Terms Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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