Exodus - Chapter 5

I have to admit that I read this chapter many times, wondering where Jesus was to be found in it.  Moses went to Pharaoh and he not only rejected Moses request, but made things worse for the Israelites - increasing their work.  

And then I saw it - in verse 3.  Moses first request of Pharaoh  was two-fold.  He wanted freedom for his people, but he did not ask for that - two things were needed first, before deliverance was possible.  They were three days in the desert and a sacrifice.  And there it is - Jesus wants deliverance for all people.  But first two things were needed.  The sacrifice of his life on the cross; and three days in the tomb.

Verse three is not an irrelevant preamble before the main event of the plagues and the Passover.  It is setting out the requirement for the delivery of people from slavery.