In this progressive age of wokeness, it’s hard to fathom workdays without human resource departments. Yet, after reading Moses’ account of his interactions with the Pharaoh of Egypt, this king was like the sensi in Karate Kid I, NO MERCY. Beside the public spanking of men, the taskmasters of Egypt had no concept of fringe benefits.
Go, get [a]straw where you can find it; but your work shall not be diminished in the least. 12 So the people were scattered through all the land of Egypt to gather the short stubble instead of straw. 13 And the taskmasters were urgent, saying, Finish your work, your daily quotas, as when there was straw. 14 And the Hebrew foremen, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten and were asked, Why have you not fulfilled all your quota of making bricks yesterday and today, as before? – Exodus 5:11-14
The concept of Labor Unions in the United States dates back to 1794. While this didn’t guarantee safe and sanitary working conditions, businesses and companies have been forced to begin complying with reasonable standards. Unfortunately, the concerns of working conditions for the Israelites were ignored as Pharaoh increased the daily workload after hearing their complaining.
Then the Hebrew foremen came to Pharaoh and cried, Why do you deal like this with your servants? 16 No straw is given to your servants, yet they say to us, Make bricks! And behold, your servants are beaten, but the fault is in your own people. 17 But [Pharaoh] said, You are idle, lazy and idle! That is why you say, Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord. 18 Get out now and get to work; for no straw shall be given you, yet you shall deliver the full quota of bricks. 19 And the Hebrew foremen saw that they were in an evil situation when it was said, You shall not diminish in the least your full daily quota of bricks, Exodus 5:15-19.
The downside to Labor Unions in the United States is that productivity isn’t always tied to pay. Increased annual pay is rarely seen by blue collar workers, often going directly to administrators and executives. Yet, today’s featured passage serves as a reminder of progress as imagine how miserable it would be to work in conditions where supplies need to be found before completing your actual job. May this passage help you to be thankful for what you have in life.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 