Exodus:5

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* Verse 1-9 - God will own his people , though poor and despised , and will find a time to plead their cause . Pharaoh treated all he had heard with contempt . He had no knowledge of Jehovah , no fear of him , no love to him , and therefore refused to obey him . Thus Pharaoh 's pride , ambition , covetousness , and political knowledge , hardened him to his own destruction . What Moses and Aaron ask is very reasonable , only to go three days ' journey into the desert , and that on a good errand . We will sacrifice unto the Lord our God . Pharaoh was very unreasonable , in saying that the people were idle , and therefore talked of going to sacrifice . He thus misrepresents them , that he might have a pretence to add to their burdens . To this day we find many who are more disposed to find fault with their neighbours , for spending in the service of God a few hours spared from their wordly business , than to blame others , who give twice the time to sinful pleasures . Pharaoh 's command was barbarous . Moses and Aaron themselves must get to the burdens . Persecutors take pleasure in putting contempt and hardship upon ministers . The usual tale of bricks must be made , without the usual allowance of straw to mix with the clay . Thus more work was to be laid upon the men , which , if they performed , they would be broken with labour ; and if not , they would be punished . * Verse 10-23 - The Egyptian task-masters were very severe . See what need we have to pray that we may be delivered from wicked men . The head-workmen justly complained to Pharaoh : but he taunted them . The malice of Satan has often represented the service and worship of God , as fit employment only for those who have nothing else to do , and the business only of the idle ; whereas , it is the duty of those who are most busy in the world . Those who are diligent in doing sacrifice to the Lord , will , before God , escape the doom of the slothful servant , though with men they do not . The Israelites should have humbled themselves before God , and have taken to themselves the shame of their sin ; but instead of that , they quarrel with those who were to be their deliverers . Moses returned to the Lord . He knew that what he had said and done , was by God 's direction ; and therefore appeals to him . When we find ourselves at any time perplexed in the way of our duty , we ought to go to God , and lay open our case before him by fervent prayer . Disappointments in our work must not drive us from our God , but still we must ponder why they are sent . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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