When Obedience Makes Things Worse: Trusting God's Bigger Plan.

Exodus 5:21 (KJV) And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savor to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.

Exodus 5:21 (NIV)"May the Lord look on you and judge you! You have made us obnoxious to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.”

Have you ever done exactly what God told you to do, only to feel like things immediately got worse? You obeyed the call, took the risk, stepped out in faith, and instead of breakthrough, you were met with resistance, misunderstanding, or even judgment from others.

You're not alone. Moses knew that feeling all too well.

In Exodus 5:21, the Israelites confront Moses after Pharaoh responds to his request to release them by increasing their workload. Instead of relief, Moses' obedience to God's command seems to make things worse. The people, frustrated and suffering, accuse Moses of making them "obnoxious" to Pharaoh and of putting them in greater danger. They cannot yet see the bigger picture of deliverance that God is orchestrating.

Often times we judge a situation, and people, from the perspective of what we experience and what we see. A famous pastor once said, if all you see is what you see, then you do not see everything that needs to be seen. God gave Moses a command which he carried out, however, the response of Pharoah led to bitterness and anguish of spirit in the lives of the Israelites. Based on what the Israelites were going through as a result of the increased workload and overall wickedness of Pharoah, they said to Moses, may God judge you! Indicating they thought Moses going to Pharoah was the cause of their anguish. However, we know from scripture Moses did only what God told him to do, but the Israelites could not see this, their sorrow was too great. Also, Moses did not expect Pharoah to increase the workload and put the Israelites under such harsh treatment, he even went to God and cried out, saying Lord, why did You allow this to happen (paraphrase)? The answer was simply, the Lord allowed it, to display His glory in the lives of the Israelites and throughout the land. The Israelites did not see when Moses cried out to God on their behalf, only what they experienced and saw the Egyptians do to them. What they thought was truth, was not the truth. The truth is what God said, even if they did not see it.

When Obedience Invites Criticism

This moment is a powerful reflection of what it feels like to follow God and still face backlash, not from enemies, but from those you're trying to help. Again, Moses did exactly what God told him to do, yet the immediate result was increased oppression. To the Israelites, it seemed like Moses failed, and they judged him harshly for it.

1. Obedience Doesn’t Always Bring Immediate Results

Sometimes we think that doing God's will should instantly lead to breakthroughs or applause. But the beginning of deliverance can look like deeper bondage. God was softening Pharaoh’s heart and preparing to reveal His power, but from the ground level, it looked like things were only getting worse.

2. People May Misunderstand Your Obedience

Those who are hurting may lash out at the very ones sent to help them. The Israelites couldn't see God's endgame. They responded emotionally, not spiritually. Leaders, believers, and anyone obeying God must learn not to take that personally. It’s not about you, it’s about where God is taking them.

3. The Minute Part in God’s Master Plan

This verse reminds us that moments of confusion and blame are still part of God’s divine process. What seemed like a setback was actually a setup for the miraculous. The tension had to build before the Red Sea could part. The people had to feel their need for God more deeply so they would trust Him when He moved.

Lesson: What looks like a misstep in the moment may be a crucial turning point in God's master plan. Don’t despise the uncomfortable steps; they are often how God leads His people into freedom.

If you’re being judged for obeying God and it seems like you’ve only made things worse, take heart. You may be standing exactly where God wants you, at the beginning of something miraculous. Trust His timing, not the crowd’s approval.

Reflection & Prayer:

Reflection Question: Have you ever experienced rejection or criticism for doing what God told you to do? What did you learn from that season?

Prayer: Lord, help me to trust You even when obedience makes things harder before it gets better. Strengthen my faith when others don’t understand my calling. Remind me that Your plan is unfolding, even when I can't see the full picture. Let me remain faithful, even in the face of rejection, because I know You are working all things for good. Amen.

.

See you in the next post!