Verse 1
THE INTERCESSION OF MOSES WITH PHARAOH, AND THE RESULT, Exodus 5:1-23.
1. The era of preparation ends, and the first act of the struggle begins . Moses and Aaron open their mission to Pharaoh . Thus saith Jehovah, God of Israel, so the phrase should be rendered, since “Jehovah” is the proper name, and not the compound word “Lord God,” as the Authorized Version would indicate. Moses and Aaron do not at first demand national independence. It is a far more moderate request to be permitted to sacrifice according to the command of Jehovah. As all nations had their forms of worship, and as religious claims were everywhere acknowledged to be paramount, this was no unreasonable petition, especially in Egypt, where religious festivals and processions were a most familiar pageant. At the same time it contained the core principle of Israel’s mission recognition of Jehovah. See on Exodus 3:18-19. It is a strange and irreverent misconception that has led some interpreters to consider this a deceptive request.
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