Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

oversee the work. When the requirement of the king was put in
force, the people scattered to gather stubble instead of straw, but
they found it impossible to produce the usual amount of brick.
Because of this failure the Hebrew officers were cruelly beaten.
These officers went to the king to about this unfair situation.
Pharaoh met their complaint with a taunt: "You are idle! Idle!
Therefore you say, 'Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.'" He ordered
them back to their work--their burdens were not to be lightened at
all. Returning, they met Moses and Aaron, and cried out to them,
"Let the Lord look on you and judge, because you have made us
abhorrent in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants, to
put a sword in their hand to kill us."
Moses was distressed. The sufferings of the people had been
increased. All over the land a cry of despair went up from young and
old. All united in blaming him for the disastrous change in their
condition. In bitterness of soul he went before God. "Lord, why
have You brought trouble on this people? Why is it You have sent
me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has
done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at
all."
The answer was, "Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh.
For with a strong hand he will let them go, and with a strong hand
he will drive them out of his land."
The elders of Israel tried to encourage the sinking faith of their
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