God's people began stirring. They didn't like their situation anymore. God has an opportunity to intervene. He sends Moses.
And what does Pharaoh do in response to realizing God is on the scene? He says, "Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice?" Ex 5:2
Pharaoh then sets out to prove he is still the ruler of his world even though God is present. He punishes God's people with the plan of getting them to quit thinking about God and any notion out of their heads to follow God.
Then the Israli foreman speak up, tell the boss their work is impossible. They are accused (notice that accused word) of being lazy and they are beaten.
Moses is heart-broken over the progression of this situation. He confronts Pharaoh over his people and it gets worse for them. He did what God told him to do and things are more awful than ever. This is God setting the stage for when Moses asks God about it, God says, "Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh." Ex 6:1
What's this got to do with us? This is a pattern that often happens in our lives still. The enemy, the world, the anti-God ones are going to do all they can to push God out, prove to the world, to themselves and to God that they rule their worlds. If you follow God, if you are waiting for God to intervene in your life situation, this means you will be pushed, accused. The enemy will do anything and use anyone he can to get you to quit looking to God.
God allows it so we can see the true nature of the anti-God crew and then also to prove to them and us how much greater He is when He comes through. Halleluia!