Moses
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very modest. They asked to go only three days’ journey. But Pharaoh
haughtily refused this, and professed to be entirely ignorant of the God
of Israel. But the Lord purposed to let Pharaoh know that his voice is
to be obeyed; that he is above all, and will compel proud rulers to bow
to his authority. “And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do
ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? Get you unto
your burdens. And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now
are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens. And Pharaoh
commanded the same day the task-masters of the people, and their
officers, saying, Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick,
as heretofore. Let them go and gather straw for themselves. And the
tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon
them. Ye shall not diminish aught thereof, for they be idle; therefore
they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.”
Pharaoh’s heart was becoming more unfeeling toward the children
of Israel. He greatly increased their labor. The task-masters placed
over the Hebrews were Egyptians. They had officers under them who
had oversight of the work, and directed the people. These officers
were Hebrews, and they were responsible for the work of the people
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under them. And when the unjust requirement was given them to make
them gather the scattered straw and stubble found in the fields for their
brick, the people could not perform their usual amount of labor. “So
the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to
gather stubble instead of straw. And the task-masters hasted them,
saying, Fulfill your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw.
And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh’s task-masters
had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye
not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and today, as
heretofore?”
Because the full amount of labor was not accomplished the Egyp-
tian task-masters called the officers to account, and cruelly punished
them, because they did not compel the people to perform their usual
amount of labor. These officers thought that their oppression came
from their task-masters, and not from the king himself. Therefore they
went with their case to the king and told him their grievances, and the
cruel treatment of their task-masters. Pharaoh’s heart was hardened
against their distress, and he derided them, and mocked at all their
complaints. He was filled with hatred against them.