Exodus 5:2

Afrikaans Bible (ABA) 2007 (Bybel vir almal)

Maar die farao het gesê: “Wie is die Here en hoekom moet ek na Hom luister? Hoekom moet ek die Israeliete laat gaan? Ek ken nie die Here nie en ek sal ook nie die Israeliete laat gaan nie.”

What Does This Mean?

In this verse, Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, is speaking to Moses and Aaron. He is asking who this 'LORD' is that they speak of and why he should listen to God's command to let the Israelites go. Pharaoh is showing his defiance and lack of knowledge about the God of the Israelites.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a friend who asks you to clean up your toys, but you don't know who they are. You might say, 'Who is this person and why should I listen to them?' That's kind of what Pharaoh is doing here. He doesn't know God and doesn't want to do what God asks.

Historical Background

The Book of Exodus was written by Moses around 1446 BC. The audience was the Israelites, and it was written during their journey out of Egypt. The cultural setting was one where Pharaohs were considered divine and had absolute power over their people, which explains Pharaoh's refusal to obey a God he did not know or recognize.

Living It Out Today

Today, we might face situations where we are asked to do something by someone or something we don't know or understand. Just like Pharaoh, we might refuse because of our lack of knowledge or faith. The lesson is to seek understanding and have an open mind to what or who God might be asking us to do.

Topics

• obedience
• defiance
• faith
• authority
• deliverance
• knowledge

Related Verses

• Psalm 95:9
• Isaiah 1:2
• Acts 7:35
• Romans 9:17
• 1 Corinthians 10:11

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Pharaoh refuse to let the Israelites go?

Pharaoh refused because he did not recognize the God of the Israelites and was unwilling to submit to a command from an unknown deity.

How does this verse relate to modern situations?

This verse can relate to any scenario where one is faced with a request from an unfamiliar authority, challenging us to consider the source and the wisdom of obeying.

What does this verse teach us about faith?

It teaches that faith requires acknowledging and trusting in a higher authority, even when that authority is not immediately understood or accepted.

How can we apply the lesson of this verse in our daily lives?

We can apply this lesson by being open to hearing and understanding the voice of God, even when it challenges our beliefs or asks us to do something difficult.