Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.
The foremen faced a cruel bind: obey their taskmasters or protect those beneath them. Rather than tyrannize, they chose to suffer it themselves. They petitioned Pharaoh as they ought, yet their complaint only worsened their lot. Pharaoh mocked them for idleness while beating them senseless, calling their sacred obedience to God slothfulness toward his work. Men judge by appearance; God judges the heart.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 5:15-23
Go therefore now, and work,.... Go about your business, attend to your work, even you officers, as well as your people; work yourselves, as well as see that your people do theirs, and do not trouble me with such impertinent applications: for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks; the usual number of bricks, as the Vulgate...
When the Israelite overseers complained of being beaten, Pharaoh answered with scorn: 'You are idle, idle; that is why you say, Let us go sacrifice to the Lord.' He blames them for laziness while his own demand made the work impossible, and he scorns their God as the source of their sloth.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 5:14-18