Exodus 5:15-23

15 Then the Israelite foremen went to the king and complained, "Why are you treating us, your servants, this way?

16 You give us no straw, but we are commanded to make bricks. Our slave masters beat us, but it is your own people's fault."

17 The king answered, "You are lazy! You don't want to work! That is why you ask to leave here and make sacrifices to the Lord.

18 Now, go back to work! We will not give you any straw, but you must make just as many bricks as you did before."

19 The Israelite foremen knew they were in trouble, because the king had told them, "You must make just as many bricks each day as you did before."

20 As they were leaving the meeting with the king, they met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting for them.

21 So they said to Moses and Aaron, "May the Lord punish you. You caused the king and his officers to hate us. You have given them an excuse to kill us."

22 Then Moses returned to the Lord and said, "Lord, why have you brought this trouble on your people? Is this why you sent me here?

23 I went to the king and said what you told me to say, but ever since that time he has made the people suffer. And you have done nothing to save them."

Exodus 5:15-23 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.