This verse from Exodus 5:20 describes a confrontation between the Israelite foremen and Moses and Aaron shortly after the Israelites were given even more difficult labor by Pharaoh. Let's break it down:
"They": Refers to the Israelite foremen (or taskmasters) who were appointed by Pharaoh to oversee the Israelite laborers. These foremen were themselves Israelites.
"Met Moses and Aaron": Indicates a meeting between the foremen and the leaders whom God had sent to deliver Israel from slavery.
"Who stood in the way, as they came out from Pharaoh": This is the core of the verse and highlights the central issue.
"Stood in the way": This phrase has a double meaning:
Physically: Moses and Aaron were literally in their path as the foremen were leaving Pharaoh after reporting the increased workload.
Figuratively: Moses and Aaron were seen as obstacles to the foremen's peace and stability. Before Moses and Aaron intervened, the foremen were in a position of relative authority and were not subjected to the increased hardship that was placed on the entire Israelite labor force.
"As they came out from Pharaoh": This emphasizes that the foremen were coming directly from Pharaoh after receiving his harsh orders about the increased workload without additional straw. This makes them angry and frustrated.
In summary, the verse describes a tense encounter where the Israelite foremen, burdened and angered by Pharaoh's new demands, confronted Moses and Aaron. They saw Moses and Aaron as being responsible for the worsening conditions, as their attempts to negotiate with Pharaoh had backfired, making their lives even harder.
The foremen were placed in a difficult position. They were responsible for ensuring the Israelites met their quotas, but now they were given an impossible task: to produce the same amount of bricks with less resources. Their anger and frustration were directed at Moses and Aaron, whom they believed were the cause of their troubles.
This verse from Exodus 5:20 describes a confrontation between the Israelite foremen and Moses and Aaron shortly after the Israelites were given even more difficult labor by Pharaoh. Let's break it down:
"They": Refers to the Israelite foremen (or taskmasters) who were appointed by Pharaoh to oversee the Israelite laborers. These foremen were themselves Israelites.
"Met Moses and Aaron": Indicates a meeting between the foremen and the leaders whom God had sent to deliver Israel from slavery.
"Who stood in the way, as they came out from Pharaoh": This is the core of the verse and highlights the central issue.
"Stood in the way": This phrase has a double meaning:
Physically: Moses and Aaron were literally in their path as the foremen were leaving Pharaoh after reporting the increased workload.
Figuratively: Moses and Aaron were seen as obstacles to the foremen's peace and stability. Before Moses and Aaron intervened, the foremen were in a position of relative authority and were not subjected to the increased hardship that was placed on the entire Israelite labor force.
"As they came out from Pharaoh": This emphasizes that the foremen were coming directly from Pharaoh after receiving his harsh orders about the increased workload without additional straw. This makes them angry and frustrated.
In summary, the verse describes a tense encounter where the Israelite foremen, burdened and angered by Pharaoh's new demands, confronted Moses and Aaron. They saw Moses and Aaron as being responsible for the worsening conditions, as their attempts to negotiate with Pharaoh had backfired, making their lives even harder.
The foremen were placed in a difficult position. They were responsible for ensuring the Israelites met their quotas, but now they were given an impossible task: to produce the same amount of bricks with less resources. Their anger and frustration were directed at Moses and Aaron, whom they believed were the cause of their troubles.