Exodus / Question
Moses and Aaron told Pharaoh that the LORD, the God of Israel, said, “Let my people go.” Pharaoh responded, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice?” and refused to let Israel go. He also accused them of making the people rest from their burdens (Exodus 5:1-5).
In Exodus 5:1–5 Moses and Aaron deliver Yahweh’s demand to Pharaoh: Israel must be released to hold a festival in the wilderness. Pharaoh responds with open refusal, questioning who Yahweh is and denying any obligation to obey him. This scene follows Moses’ call and commission and his return to Egypt to speak on Yahweh’s behalf. After Yahweh announces his intention to act and identifies Israel as his own, Moses and Aaron move from preparation to direct confrontation with Egypt’s ruler.
The passage presents a direct clash of authority. Moses and Aaron speak as messengers: “Yahweh, the God of Israel” issues a command to Pharaoh to release Israel so they can hold a feast to Yahweh in the wilderness (explicit).
A careful answer keeps the immediate passage, the book's argument, and the whole-Bible storyline together, so the question is answered in context instead of as a detached idea.
Start with Exodus 5:1-5, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.
1Afterward Moses and Aaron came, and said to Pharaoh, "This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, `Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.`"
2Pharaoh said, "Who is Yahweh, that I should listen to his voice to let Israel go? I don`t know Yahweh, and moreover I will not let Israel go."
3They said, "The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us go three days` journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to Yahweh, our God, lest he fall on us with pestilence, or with the sword."
4The king of Egypt said to them, "Why do you, Moses and Aaron, take the people from their work? Get back to your burdens!"
5Pharaoh said, "Behold, the people of the land are now many, and you make them rest from their burdens."