Exodus 5:15 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

The officers—came and cried unto Pharaoh— Theirs was an evil case, no doubt. The remonstrance they made was as just and humble, as the answer they receive is tyrannical and severe. For, 1. They are his servants, willing to labour, and are beaten, when the fault is in Pharaoh's people. It is ever the lot of God's people to suffer unjustly. 2. They are received with taunts and reproaches. How could they, who were dying under hard servitude, be reproached with idleness? and was their desire to sacrifice to God, such a crime? Note; The world's reproaches are usually as groundless as Pharaoh's; and whatever pretence they may make, the real cause is, the inbred enmity of their hearts against our God and his holy ways.