of 'mules' and american taskmasters

​“And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: and they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour” (Exodus 1.13-14).

In a recent Guardian piece on building construction in Nashville, Tennessee, a construction worker is quoted, “They [construction companies] treat us like mules, they will break you down and then throw you away.”
 
It is impossible to read something like this and not think of ancient enslaved construction workers who labored like animals to construct the Egyptian “treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.”
 
To put it slightly differently, it is impossible to read something like this and not think of America as the modern version of ancient Egypt, with all its magnificence built on oppression.
 
And it is impossible to think of America as the modern version of ancient Egypt and not think of the Lord’s response.
 
“I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows” (Exodus 3.7).
 
“I know their sorrows.” This should not be read as a doctrinal statement of omniscience. It is a statement of personal and divine solidarity. Of association. Of connectedness. Of at-one-ment.
 
“I feel your pain.” “I hurt with you.”
 
Then,
 
“The cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them” (Exodus 3.9).
 
Again, this is no abstract dissertation on omniscience, but a statement of personal divine solidarity.
 
“Inasmuch as [they] have done it unto [you] my brethren, [they] have done it unto me” (See Matthew 25.40).
Jesus of Nazareth, being the same yesterday, today, and forever, did during his earthly mission exactly as it had done as Yahweh.
 
“And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people” (Alma 7.11).
 
It is impossible to consider all this and wonder how long it will be before we can finally sing the victorious Song of Moses.
 
“Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea:
   his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.
The depths have covered them:
   they sank into the bottom as a stone.
Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power:
   thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.
And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee:
   thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.
And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together,
   the floods stood upright as an heap,
      and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.
The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil;
   my lust shall be satisfied upon them;
I will draw my sword,
   my hand shall destroy them.
Thou didst blow with thy wind,
   the sea covered them:
      they sank as lead in the mighty waters.
Who is like unto thee, O LORD,
   among the gods? 
Who is like thee, glorious in holiness,
   fearful in praises, doing wonders? (Exodus 15.4-11)

“And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand. And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go” (Exodus 3.19-20).