The Israelites wait to hear what news from Court, full of glad expectations of a speedy and present Deliverance from the Egyptian servitude, 1under which they had groaned now these Four hundred and thirty years. But the tidings doth not answer their expectations:2 Pharaoh will not let Israel go; he knows no God but himself, neither shall Israel stir. Yea their hopes of enlargement, are turned into the doubling of their bondage: in stead of keeping Holy-day in the wilderness, they must to work again in the Brick-kilns of Egypt: yea, make Bricks they must,3 and find themselves straw too: more work, and less wherewithal to do it. This was sad news indeed: Yet they had some hopes that this might be but the cruelty and encroachment of the Commissioners set over them; therefore they'll to the Court themselves with their Petitions; happily the King may give them a better answer; it is possible His Majestia gave no such command concerning Israel. But when they come they find it was no mistake; Pharaoh speaks the same language the Task masters did: Ye are idle, ye are idle, get you to your work; 4there shall be no straw given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of Bricks, &c. This kills their very hearts; now they see themselves worse then ever:5 and thus coming out from the Presence-chamber full of anguish and impatience, they meet with Moses and Aaron, 6fall foul upon them, charge them with being the cause of bringing them into this sad and hopeless condition; and in plain terms call for vengeance from God upon them:7 The Lord look upon you, and judge.
The Israelites wait to hear what news from Court, full of glad expectations of a speedie and present Deliverance from the Egyptian servitude, 1under which they had groaned now these Four hundred and thirty yeers. But the tidings doth not answer their expectations:2 Pharaoh will not let Israel go; he knows no God but himself, neither shall Israel stir. Yea their hopes of enlargement, are turn'd into the doubling of their bondage: in stead of keeping Holy-day in the wildernesse, they must to work again in the Brickils of Egypt: yea, make Bricks they must,3 and finde themselves straw too: more work, and lesse wherewithal to do it. This was sad news indeed: Yet they had some hopes that this might be but the cruelty and encroachment of the Commissioners set over them; therefore they'll to the Court themselves with their Petitions; happily the King may give them a better answer; it is possible His Majestia gave no such command concerning Israel. But when they come they finde it was no mistake; Pharaoh speaks the same language the Task masters did: Ye are idle, ye are idle, get you to your work; 4there shall be no straw given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of Bricks, &c. This kills their very hearts; now they see themselves worse then ever:5 and thus coming out from the Presence-chamber full of anguish and impatience, they meet with Moses and Aaron, 6fall foul upon them, charge them with being the cause of bringing them into this sad and hopelesse condition; and in plain terms call for vengeance from God upon them:7 The Lord look upon you, and judge.
- 1Chap. 12.40.
- 2Vers. 2.
- 3Vers. 7, 8, 9.
- 4Vers. 17, 18.
- 5Vers. 19.
- 6Vers. 20.
- 7Vers. 21.
