Exodus 5:10-11 Then the slave drivers and the overseers went out and said to the people, “This is what Pharaoh says: ‘I will not give you any more straw. Go and get your own straw wherever you can find it, but your work will not be reduced at all.’ ”
So many emotions are tumbling around in my head with today’s scripture (and the rest of the scripture for this chapter), but chief among them is anger: anger at the unfairness of the way Pharaoh is treating the Israelites, anger at the unfairness of the expectations here, anger that Moses’s request–given because the Lord’s literally talked to him through a burning bush–has landed the Israelites in this situation.
Exodus 5:12 So the people scattered all over Egypt to gather stubble to use for straw.
And I’m not going to lie–there’s a little bit of anger, of disbelief, of incredulity at God, too: Why would You have Moses act in a way that would hurt Your beloved children? I just do not understand.
Exodus 5:13 The slave drivers kept pressing them, saying, “Complete the work required of you for each day, just as when you had straw.”
Precious Savior, Thank You that You are big enough to handle all of my emotions, that You love me enough that I can come to You, be honest with You–even with my anger–so I can move past it. Thank You that I know in my gut there are things I simply do not understand at work here because what I know of You is that You are a loving, compassionate, merciful God. Help me, Jesus. Amen.
Exodus 5:14 And Pharaoh’s slave drivers beat the Israelite overseers they had appointed, demanding, “Why haven’t you met your quota of bricks yesterday or today, as before?”
Have a blessed day.