When a camera crew shows up in the House of Representatives or Senate, political theater commences in the form of cries and lies. Like sports talk show hosts trying to say something outrageous to get recognized, this hot take is often repeated numerous times on social media. One common cry is how horrible it is living in America without examining all the civil and human injustices that take place every day in third world nations. Crickets… no cries, just lies.
Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and you make them rest from their burdens! 6 The very same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their officers, 7 You shall no more give the people straw to make brick; let them go and gather straw for themselves, Exodus 5:5-7.
Based upon the context of Exodus, Moses underestimated the responsibilities of being a leader and representative for Israel. Moses assumes that being obedient to and serving God would have immediate success. Unfortunately, when God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, this was just the first of many failures that Moses would have to overcome. Pharaoh seems to view Israel’s concerns like a pesky fly that doesn’t go away on a hot summer night.
But the number of the bricks which they made before you shall still require of them; you shall not diminish it in the least. For they are idle; that is why they cry, Let us go and sacrifice to our God. 9 Let heavier work be laid upon the men that they may labor at it and pay no attention to lying words. 10 The taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they said to the people, Thus says Pharaoh, I will not give you straw, Exodus 5:8-10.
If something like this happened in a major factory in the United States, OSHA would immediately send government officials to see if this employer was following all federal mandates, procedures and regulations. Yet, as they said in the inner city when I was a child, Pharaoh “doesn’t play.” The concerns of these peasants and slaves were seen as cries and lies, an excuse to stop working hard. May today’s blog help you appreciate how health standards have improved in America.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 