John Calvin Commentary Exodus 5:6

"And the same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying," — Exodus 5:6 (ASV)

And Pharaoh commanded. We shall more clearly perceive, as the narrative proceeds, that these taskmasters and officers were taken from among the children of Israel, although we previously read that some were Egyptians. But, as tyrants are ingenious in securing their own interests, Pharaoh in his subtlety wished to ensure that none would escape, but that all alike would be brought in turn to the labor. For some, in such a multitude, might have evaded the Egyptians; but, when the charge was given to the Israelites, their familiar knowledge would prevent any from escaping.

Besides, it is probable that the straw was deposited with these taskmasters, which they distributed either to parties of ten or to individuals; he therefore doubles the work in this way, by commanding them to gather the straw with which the bricks were made. But, according to the proverb that “the edicts of kings are monosyllables,” Moses shows the vehemence of the tyranny by the brevity of the command.

But this passage teaches us that when God has begun to regard us for the purpose of relieving our troubles, He sometimes uses the opportunity to increase the pressure of our burdens. Thus, when God had pledged to be the deliverer of the Israelites, their trouble became greater, with the tyrant adding to their ordinary tasks that of gathering the straw for themselves.

For in this way it pleases God to prove the faith of His people; and thus it is expedient to lift their minds to Him, which are too much set on earth, while they do not immediately perceive the fruit of the grace promised to them; indeed, while they feel that God’s favor brings them nothing else except that their condition becomes worse.

It is very useful for us to ponder this, so that we may more patiently and calmly bear being stirred to the love and desire of heavenly blessings by crosses and adversities.

Nowadays the Gospel procures hatred for many, deprives others of their pleasures, degrades others from their honours, brings to others the loss of their goods, sentences others to prison, others to exile, and endangers the life of some; in a word, the more God exerts His power, the more Satan’s rage is excited on the other side, and the wicked become more fiercely cruel. This offense would greatly shake us, unless we knew from the admonition of this example that the inestimable grace offered to us in Christ ought to be so valued by us that, in comparison with it, riches, honours, and all that people seek after should be considered as nothing, and that we should find no difficulty in despising inconveniences of whatever kind.