Exodus 5:1–9 “Not a Tool, but the Purpose”

Exodus 5:1-9 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Israel & New Breed – Jesus At the Center
• Remind Me Who I Am – Jason Gray
• So Will I (100 Billion X) – Hillsong Worship

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• Moses’ Journey: Trust in God’s Plan | Episode 5 | Faith Tales for Kids – Lesson for Kids
• One Way, Jesus (Hillsong) – Christian Kids Dance – Song for Kids
• All Creatures of Our God and King | Weird Animals VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• I Won’t Be Afraid | Cross Culture Norway VBS Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth arelocated in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

After spending sufficient time with the elders of Israel, Moses and Aaron prepare to go before Pharaoh. Once they are ready to leave at any moment, should Pharaoh permit it, the two men proceed to his palace. God instructed Moses to take “the elders of Israel” with him when approaching Pharaoh (3:18), but for some reason, Moses brought only Aaron.

A challenging process must have been before they were granted an audience with Pharaoh. It was highly unusual for the supreme ruler of an absolute monarchy to meet with representatives of a slave people. When they appear before Pharaoh, they speak as representatives of “the LORD, the God of Israel” (v. 1), requesting permission to go into the wilderness to celebrate a festival. This request is strategic. Instead of asking to leave Egypt outright, which Pharaoh would certainly reject, they begin with a smaller, more reasonable request.

However, Pharaoh refuses, saying he does not know the God whom Moses and Aaron speak of, and therefore cannot grant their request (v. 2). His statement— “Who is the LORD?” or “I do not know the LORD”—is a clear rejection of Israel’s God. Moses and Aaron attempt to persuade Pharaoh by warning that if he does not allow them to go, “the LORD may strike us with plagues or with the sword” (v. 3). In the polytheistic culture of Egypt, people believed that if a god was angered, that deity would bring punishment. If such calamities were to occur, Pharaoh would suffer the loss of a valuable labor force.

Pharaoh dismisses their words as nothing more than an excuse to avoid work (v. 4). Verse 5 is particularly difficult to translate. The New Korean Revised Version renders it as, “They have become more numerous than the people of Egypt,” whereas the Revised Korean Version translates it as, “Now the people of the land are many.” The latter translation better fits the context. Pharaoh argues that since the Hebrew population has greatly increased, their labor has become even more essential. Therefore, he cannot allow them to stop working for even three days.

Meditation:

Now, Pharaoh takes center stage. In the book of Exodus, Pharaoh represents the “epitome of evil.” He serves as a model of how human thought and behavior become distorted when immersed in sin. Therefore, readers must closely observe Pharaoh’s words and actions, asking whether the same evil might exist within themselves or manifest in their own society.

The first sign of evil in Pharaoh’s attitude toward Moses and Aaron’s request is his view of others as mere tools for his own benefit. The only reason he needed the Hebrew people was their cheap labor. He had no interest in their dignity or quality of life. To Pharaoh, the Israelites were no different from livestock—simply a means to meet the needs of himself and the Egyptian people.

The moment we view someone as a means to an end, we become blind to the absolute value bestowed upon them as human beings. We begin to calculate their usefulness, keeping them close as long as they serve a purpose, and discarding them without hesitation when they no longer do. All forms of evil against humanity begin from this point. And this is not just a problem among those with great power. It happens within families, workplaces, and societies as well.

Believing in God means treating everyone as someone who possesses absolute value. Among all the world religions, none elevate the worth of human beings as much as Judaism and Christianity. As long as a person lives, we must regard them as inherently dignified. Even if they seem to offer no benefit or use from a human point of view, they still deserve respect simply because they are human. To treat a person not as a tool but as an end in themselves is precisely what this means.

Prayer:

Lord, we thank You for granting us Your image and treating us as the crown of Your creation. May the image of God, broken by sin, be fully restored in us through the grace of the Holy Spirit. Help us to guard against our sinful tendency to calculate personal gain when dealing with others. Instead, let us welcome each person as if we are welcoming You. We pray in Your holy name. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: God created every person with dignity and worth. We are not tools for others’ use, but beloved by God for who we are. When we treat others with respect, not based on what they can do for us, but simply because they are God’s creation, we reflect God’s heart.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • How does knowing that God made you special and in His image make you feel?
  • What should you do if someone in your class is left out or treated unfairly?
  • Can you think of a time when you helped someone not because they could help you, but just because you cared?
    
    
• For Youth
  
  
  • Why do you think Pharaoh treated the Israelites as tools instead of people?
  • In what ways can our schools or communities make people feel like they’re only valued for their skills or grades? What does God say about this?
  • How can you practice seeing others the way God sees them, especially those who are different from you or don’t benefit you in any way?