18 Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.
18 Now get to work. You will not be given any straw, yet you must produce your full quota of bricks."
18 Go now and work. No straw will be given you, but you must still deliver the same number of bricks."
18 Well then, go - go back to work. Nobody's going to give you straw, and at the end of the day you better bring in your full quota of bricks."
18 Therefore go now and work; for no straw shall be given you, yet you shall deliver the quota of bricks."
18 Now get back to work! No straw will be given to you, but you must still produce the full quota of bricks."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 5:18
Commentary on Exodus 5:10-23
(Read Exodus 5:10-23)
The Egyptian task-masters were very severe. See what need we have to pray that we may be delivered from wicked men. The head-workmen justly complained to Pharaoh: but he taunted them. The malice of Satan has often represented the service and worship of God, as fit employment only for those who have nothing else to do, and the business only of the idle; whereas, it is the duty of those who are most busy in the world. Those who are diligent in doing sacrifice to the Lord, will, before God, escape the doom of the slothful servant, though with men they do not. The Israelites should have humbled themselves before God, and have taken to themselves the shame of their sin; but instead of that, they quarrel with those who were to be their deliverers. Moses returned to the Lord. He knew that what he had said and done, was by God's direction; and therefore appeals to him. When we find ourselves at any time perplexed in the way of our duty, we ought to go to God, and lay open our case before him by fervent prayer. Disappointments in our work must not drive us from our God, but still we must ponder why they are sent.