In Exodus 3:18, God tells Moses to ask Pharaoh to let the Israelites go on a:

> "three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD."

Critics cite this as an instance of God telling Moses to lie, since the ultimate intent was total escape from Egypt, not a temporary religious retreat. This objection assumes too much. There is no indication that the initial request for a three-day journey was deceptive; it was a genuine, moderate opening diplomatic request. Had Pharaoh granted it, the events of the Exodus might have unfolded far less violently. Pharaoh's hardened refusal of even a minor religious concession exposed his utter tyranny, justifying the subsequent absolute liberation.

Exodus 3:18 is sometimes cited as an instance of God telling Moses to lie, under the assumption that the true intent was a permanent escape rather than a three-day journey. However, there is no indication of deceit in the text; Moses was instructed to make a genuine, initial request, which Pharaoh subsequently rejected.