Exodus 5:18-23

18 Go and get back to work! No straw will be given to you, but you still need to make the same number of bricks."
19 The Israelite supervisors saw how impossible their situation was when they were commanded, "Don't reduce your daily quota of bricks."
20 When they left Pharaoh, they met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting for them.
21 The supervisors said to them, "Let the LORD see and judge what you've done! You've made us stink in the opinion of Pharaoh and his servants. You've given them a reason to kill us."
22 Then Moses turned to the LORD and said, "My Lord, why have you abused this people? Why did you send me for this?
23 Ever since I first came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has abused this people. And you've done absolutely nothing to rescue your people."

Exodus 5:18-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 5

Moses and Aaron go in to Pharaoh, and desire leave for the children of Israel to go into the wilderness three days' journey, to sacrifice to the Lord, and are answered in a very churlish and atheistical manner, and are charged with making the people idle, the consequence of which was, the taskmasters had orders, to make their work more heavy and toilsome, Ex 5:1-9 which orders were executed with severity by them, Ex 5:10-13, upon which the officers of the children of Israel complained to Pharaoh, but to no purpose, Ex 5:14-19, and meeting with Moses and Aaron, lay the blame upon them, Ex 5:20,21, which sends Moses to the Lord to expostulate with him about it, Ex 5:22,23.

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