Exodus 5
Moses and Aaron go in to meet the Pharaoh. They say the Lord has said to let their people go so that they may feast in the wild. The Pharaoh rejects this, however, saying he does not know the Lord and will not listen to his voice. The two warn him again to let them go or the Lord’s wrath may fall upon them. Pharaoh asks the two why they’re pulling their people away from their work? They should get back to work and as should he rest of the Hebrews.
The next day the Pharaoh tells the taskmasters to have the slaves fetch the straw for the bricks themselves instead of providing it for them. And to have them carry many bricks on their backs. Multiplying their work by much and not reducing it in the slightest despite their additional tasks. Believing if they have time to make requests, they have time to work more. The taskmasters obey and tell the Hebrews to find their owns straw while making just as many bricks.
The Hebrews struggle to gather straw and stubble while being ordered to fulfill their usual quotas. Those who did not were beaten. Instead of going to God, many Hebrews sought the Pharaoh asking why he made these changes. He fusses saying they asked for time off to sacrifice to the Lord, so they must have time for more work. Pharaoh stands firm in his decision.
The two officers meet with Aaron and Moses, disliking them heavily. They ask the Lord to judge him since the two made the Hebrews disliked by the Pharaoh and Egyptians. Enough to want to kill them.
Moses is just as confused. He goes to God to ask why he sent him if what he’s done has only made things worse while the Hebrews still have not been released.
Lessons Learned:
God knows
He told Moses that the Pharaoh would not be swayed
The Jews weren’t keeping their focus on God
They go to the Pharaoh for answers and solutions