Bricks Without Straw

In the fifth chapter of Exodus, we have the account of the Hebrews in Egypt being forced to make Bricks, but no longer being provided straw with which to make them. Moses and Aaron had asked to take the Hebrews out into the wilderness to make a sacrifice, as was commanded by God. This act, which all today would recognize as completely impossible and inhumane. Pharaoh, in his wickedness, gave this impossible task as punishment to the Israelites for their apparent insubordination.

As callous and unreasonable as Pharaoh's demands sound to us, God has made an equally unreasonable demand of us. He has give us his law, which is as impossible to keep as it was for the Israelite slaves to produce bricks without straw. If the Israelites were unable to keep the command of Pharaoh, he would have them beaten. If we, or anyone in the world, fails to keep the Law of God, his punishment is much more severe: Eternity in Hell.

Of course, we do not consider God to be callous or unreasonable. Why is this? Some people believe that God will accept whatever amount of bricks we can create without straw. They think that if they do their best, God will do the rest. Of course, God does not work in this manner. God demands perfection of us (Matt 5:48). Anything less is worthy of nothing but hell.

Other believe that they can produce their own straw. They think that they have what is needed in themselves to produce all that God demands. They are the pharisees, those who make the law keepable. They do not realize that perfection actually means perfection. They believe that they can keep the law to God's standards and they will justify themselves because of it. Of course, the Bible tells us that “All have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God” (Rom 3:23)

Finally, there are those who realize that they cannot keep God's command. They cannot make the bricks without straw. These come before their Master and plead for mercy. Unlike Pharaoh, God has had mercy on us. He does not have us beaten, or send us to Hell like we deserve. He instead sends His only begotten Son to bear our sins for us and to make atonement for them. This is why we cannot regard our God as callous or unreasonable. He is no such thing, he is Holy, but merciful as well. He has reconciled us to him out of Love. We no longer have to worry about making Bricks with or without straw, we are no longer slaves to the law.

SOLI DEO GLORIA