Bricks Without Straw

Earlier in Israel’s history with the Egyptians, when the pharaoh attempted to reduce the population of Israel and was unsuccessful because of the Lord’s blessing on His people, he doubled down and made their burdens even heavier (Ex. 1:8–22). This king died long before Moses began his ministry, so there was likely at least some hope in Israel that a new pharaoh would go a little easier on them. Moses knew better, for God had told him that the pharaoh he would confront would not let Israel go unless he was forced to do so (3:19). Thus, Moses was likely not surprised by Pharaoh’s response after his and Aaron’s first meeting with the king of Egypt.

After hearing God’s demand to release the Israelites (5:1–2), Pharaoh made the work of his slaves harder by refusing to provide them with straw while not reducing the number of bricks they had to produce (vv. 3–9). This pharaoh was likely Thutmose III, who reigned over Egypt from 1479 to 1425 BC, which dates the events of the exodus to the fifteenth century before the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Pharaoh was unconvinced by Moses and Aaron, believing the people to be idle and looking for an excuse not to work. His increased demands would force them to labor much harder and would also serve the purpose of keeping the population of Israelites in check (see 1:8–14).

We have seen in previous studies that God never promises believers an easy life. In fact, Jesus tells us that we will encounter tribulation in this world (John 16:33). If the first people that the Lord released from slavery, the ancient Israelites, endured fierce opposition, we should not expect that we who have been freed from the bondage of sin will escape it. But why does God allow opposition and trials in the lives of His people? James 1:2–4 gives us the answer: so that we will be steadfast and completed to persevere and treasure God above all else. John Calvin comments: “When God has begun to regard us for the purpose of relieving our troubles, He sometimes takes occasion to increase the pressure of our burdens. . . . It pleases God to prove the faith of His people; and thus is it expedient to lift up to Him their minds, which are too much set on earth, whilst they do not immediately perceive the fruit of the grace promised to them. . . . It is very useful for us to ponder this, that we may more patiently and calmly bear to be excited to the love and desire of heavenly blessings, by crosses and adversities.”