Page 118 - Bible History

THE DEPARTURE OF THE ISRAELITES FRO EGYPT 91
Yet the overseers demanded as many bricks as before and cruelly whipped those who failed to produce the same number.
Some of the chief men of the Israelites went to Pharao and begged for relief. But Pharao's heart was hardened. He laughed at them and said, "You are idle; and therefore you ask for a holiday to wor­ ship your God. Go and work. Str shall not be given you, and you shall deliver the accustomed num- ber of bricks.''
When the chief men of the Israelites met Moses and Aaron, they blamed them for making the burdens of the people heavier.
Moses and Aaron were very sad. They prayed to God again, and He told them to be patient. He prom­ ised Moses and Aaron that the time of their delivery from bondage was near. But the people were sad and weary and they heeded not their words.
Again God sent Moses and Aaron to Pharao to de­ mand that he let the Children of Israel go out of the land of Egypt. He told Moses to show Pharao the wonderful signs which He had given to him.
When Moses and Aaron appeared before Pharao, Aaron took the rod and threw it on the oor. It was turned into a serpent. Pharao called his magicians, who did the same thing, and all their rods were turned into serpents. But the serpent from Aaron's rod swal­ lowed up the other serpents, and it became a rod again in Aaron's hand.
But Pharao would not listen to the words of Moses and Aaron, and refused to let the Israelites depart.
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