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[288]
However, the king was no more moved when was done than before; and
being very angry, he said that he should gain nothing by this his cunning
and shrewdness against the Egyptians; - and he commanded him that was the
chief taskmaster over the Hebrews, to give them no relaxation from their
labors, but to compel them to submit to greater oppressions than before;
and though he allowed them chaff before for making their bricks, he would
allow it them no longer, but he made them to work hard at brick-making
in the day-time, and to gather chaff in the night. Now when their labor
was thus doubled upon them, they laid the blame upon Moses, because their
labor and their misery were on his account become more severe to them.
But Moses did not let his courage sink for the king's threatenings; nor
did he abate of his zeal on account of the Hebrews' complaints; but he
supported himself, and set his soul resolutely against them both, and used
his own utmost diligence to procure liberty to his countrymen. So he went
to the king, and persuaded him to let the Hebrews go to Mount Sinai, and
there to sacrifice to God, because God had enjoined them so to do. He persuaded
him also not to counterwork the designs of God, but to esteem his favor
above all things, and to permit them to depart, lest, before he be aware,
he lay an obstruction in the way of the Divine commands, and so occasion
his own suffering such punishments as it was probable any one that counterworked
the Divine commands should undergo, since the severest afflictions arise
from every object to those that provoke the Divine wrath against them;
for such as these have neither the earth nor the air for their friends;
nor are the fruits of the womb according to nature, but every thing is
unfriendly and adverse towards them. He said further, that the Egyptians
should know this by sad experience; and that besides, the Hebrew people
should go out of their country without their consent.
1
1 CONCERNING THE TEN PLAGUES WHICH CAME UPON THE EGYPTIANS.
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