THEOSISEphraem the Syrian
Moses addressed the Lord, declaring that he had communicated with Pharaoh. He then reaffirmed to the Lord that He could trust him regarding his dealings with Pharaoh.
Exodus 5:23Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
For since the time that I went in to Pharao to speak in thy name, he hath afflicted thy people: and thou hast not delivered them.
וּמֵאָ֞ז בָּ֤אתִי אֶל־פַּרְעֹה֙ לְדַבֵּ֣ר בִּשְׁמֶ֔ךָ הֵרַ֖ע לָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֑ה וְהַצֵּ֥ל לֹא־הִצַּ֖לְתָּ אֶת־עַמֶּֽךָ׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Wlastow G.K.
The rebuke that Moses made in his conversation with God, although severe in tone, does not incur punishment from the Lord. Instead, the Lord responds with grace because this expression came from a believing and compassionate heart, one that mourned before the Lord over the afflictions of His people. The Lord understood the depth of Moses' anguish, recognizing the severity and bitterness of the trial he faced. He was keenly aware of the burden of shame that Moses carried in the eyes of the Israelites. Furthermore, it was a profound sorrow for Moses, a fervent advocate of the sacred name of Jehovah, to witness that name mocked by the Egyptians and doubted by his own people. For further insight into Moses' passion for God's name, see Numbers 14:13-19.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Isa 28:16Therefore thus saith the Lord God: Behold I will lay a stone in the foundations of Sion, a tried stone, a corner stone, a precious stone, founded in the foundation. He that believeth, let him not hasten.
- Jer 11:21Therefore thus saith the Lord to the men of Anathoth, who seek thy life, and say: Thou shalt not prophesy in the name of the Lord, and thou shalt not die in our hands.
- Heb 10:36For patience is necessary for you: that, doing the will of God, you may receive the promise.
- Heb 10:37For yet a little and a very little while, and he that is to come will come and will not delay.
- Ps 118 (117):26
- Isa 26:17As a woman with child, when she draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs: so are we become in thy presence, O Lord.
- Isa 26:18We have conceived, and been as it were in labour, and have brought forth wind: we have not wrought salvation on the earth, therefore the inhabitants of the earth have not fallen.
- John 5:43I am come in the name of my Father, and you receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive.