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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Exodus 5:20 - 5:23
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The Officers Reproach Moses and Aaron
v. 20. And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way as they came forth from Pharaoh, anxious to hear the result of the meeting with the king.
v. 21. 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. It was a reproach of bitterness and despair: Ye have made us to stink, ye have brought us into ill repute. The king and his servants now had nothing but ill will and abhorrence for them, and this feeling was bound to find its outlet in acts of cruelty, in punishment and bloodshed.
v. 22. And Moses returned unto the Lord, turned to Jehovah with a cry of distress, and said, Lord, wherefore hast Thou so evil entreated this people? Why is it that Thou hast sent me? It is an appeal coming from the depths of humility and despair, but also a prayer of faith which clings to the Lord in spite of all adversities.
v. 23. For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast Thou delivered Thy people at all; the Lord had apparently taken no steps to bring about the deliverance of His people from the house of bondage. Thus the Christians will often be inclined to be vexed and impatient in the midst of the trials and tribulations of this world. But God is merciful and patient and does not withdraw His almighty hand.