Lessons
G. Hughes, B. D. Exodus 5:15-16 Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, saying, Why deal you thus with your servants?… 1. Oppressed souls cannot but complain of cruel and unjust smitings; blows make cries. 2. Addresses for relief are fittest from the afflicted to the highest power oppressing. 3. Access and cries and sad speeches are forced from oppressed to oppressors. 4. The execution by instruments is justly charged upon their lords. 5. True servants may justly expostulate about hard dealings from their rulers. 6. Unreasonable exactions will force afflicted ones to expostulate with powers oppressing them (ver. 15). 7. To give no straw and to command bricks is a most unreasonable exaction. 8. To punish innocent servants when others sin is a most unjust oppression. 9. Such sad dealings make God's servants sometimes to complain to earthly powers (ver. 16). (G. Hughes, B. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants? WEB: Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, saying, "Why do you deal this way with your servants?