Exodus 5:22-23; 6:1-13 NKJV
22 So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Why is it You have sent me? 23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all.”
6 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh. For with a strong hand he will let them go, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land.”
2 And God spoke to Moses and said to him: “I am the Lord. 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name Lord I was not known to them. 4 I have also established My covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, in which they were strangers. 5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have remembered My covenant. 6 Therefore say to the children of Israel: ‘I am the Lord; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. 7 I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8 And I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and I will give it to you as a heritage: I am the Lord.’ ” 9 So Moses spoke thus to the children of Israel; but they did not heed Moses, because of anguish of spirit and cruel bondage.
10 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 11 “Go in, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the children of Israel go out of his land.”
12 And Moses spoke before the Lord, saying, “The children of Israel have not heeded me. How then shall Pharaoh heed me, for I am of uncircumcised lips?”
13 Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, and gave them a command for the children of Israel and for Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.
After Pharaoh’s harsh response, Moses turned to the Lord in anguish, asking, “Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Why is it You have sent me?” (v.22). Like Moses, we often wonder why following God’s will seems to lead to greater difficulties. Yet, Moses did not turn away in his confusion—he brought his distress to God in prayer.
God’s response was both powerful and reassuring: “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh” (6:1). Though Israel’s suffering had increased, God had not abandoned His people. He reminded Moses of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (v.2-3). In times of struggle, we are called to remember that God’s promises remain steadfast, even when the circumstances seem overwhelming.
God’s assurance to Israel was clear: “I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage” (v.6). His deliverance was not just about freeing them from slavery but fulfilling His promise to establish them as His people. God’s redemption is always complete—He rescues and redeems His people, offering hope beyond immediate suffering.
Yet when Moses delivered this message, the Israelites, burdened by anguish and cruel bondage, did not believe him (v.9). Sometimes, our suffering makes it hard to grasp God’s promises. Even when hope feels distant, God’s promises remain firm. We must trust that His deliverance will come, even if we cannot yet see it.
God reaffirmed His mission to Moses: “Go in, tell Pharaoh… to let the children of Israel go” (v.11). Though Moses doubted his own ability, saying, “How shall Pharaoh heed me?” (v.12), God’s call remained unchanged. We, too, are called to persist in our collective mission, knowing that our strength comes from God, not from ourselves. Let us pray: Lord, in our times of doubt and struggle, remind us of Your faithfulness. Strengthen us to trust Your promises and to continue in the path You have called us to, knowing that You are with us. Amen.