Pharaoh orders the slave masters to stop supplying straw for brickmaking. Straw was mixed with clay to make the bricks stronger, but now the Israelites had to find their own straw before making bricks. Despite this extra burden, they were still required to meet the same production quota. Pharaoh believed this harsher workload would silence their complaints and discourage their religious ambitions.

 It reads in Exodus 5: 6–9 Easy: On that day, Pharaoh gave a command to the masters of the slaves, and to the leaders of the work. This was the command: Do not give the people any more straw to make bricks. Now they must go and find their own straw. But they must still make the same number of bricks as they did before. Do not let them make fewer bricks. These people are lazy. That is why they are complaining. They say, “We want to go and offer sacrifices to our God.” Make the work more difficult for them to do. They will have to do very hard work. They will be too busy to listen to the lies of their leaders.’

Father God, when life feels unfair and the weight grows heavier, help me not to lose heart. Give me strength to keep going, even when the task seems impossible. Remind me that You see my struggle and You care. Teach me to trust Your timing and Your plan, even when the world demands more than I can give. Be my refuge when I feel overwhelmed, and my peace when everything feels out of control. Love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the honor and glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen and Amen.