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Exodus 5 · a question people ask

Why did things get worse after Moses did what God said?

In the text

Moses asks the same question: "Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Why is it that you have sent me?" (5:22). The chapter itself doesn't give a reason. God had told Moses beforehand that the king of Egypt would refuse, and that "after that he will let you go" (3:19-20). The LORD's reply comes in the next verse: "Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh, for by a strong hand he shall let them go" (6:1). In his answer (6:1-8) the text records promises, and no rebuke of Moses for asking.

The verses

“I know that the king of Egypt won’t give you permission to go, no, not by a mighty hand. I will reach out my hand and strike Egypt with all my wonders which I will do among them, and after that he will let you go.”
Exodus 3:19-20 · World English Bible
“Moses returned to the LORD, and said, “Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Why is it that you have sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people. You have not rescued your people at all!””
Exodus 5:22-23 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Exodus 5

Exodus 5: Who is the LORD?

Pharaoh's first answer was "I don’t know the LORD", and the rest of Exodus answers him. He called a request to worship idleness and made the work heavier, with the verb Exodus later uses for his hardened heart and for the honor God gets over him. God asked for Israel to serve him; Pharaoh said "work", the same Hebrew word. When it got worse, Moses took it to the LORD.

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions