Midrash su Esodo 5:6

(Exod. 5:9:) LET HEAVIER WORK BE LAID UPON THE PEOPLE SO THAT THEY WORK AT IT AND NOT PAY ATTENTION TO LYING WORDS. < What is the meaning of NOT PAY ATTENTION (rt.: Sh'H)?>³⁰This sentence is taken from the parallel account in Tanh., Exod. 2:6. Similarly Exod. R. 5:18. See also M. Pss. (Buber) 119:38. That they had scrolls with which they entertained themselves (rt.: Sh'Sh') from Sabbath to Sabbath by saying: The Holy One is redeeming us. Pharaoh said to them (ibid.): AND NOT PAY ATTENTION (rt.: Sh'H) TO LYING WORDS, nor rely (rt.: Sh'N) <on them>, nor entertain themselves (rt.: Sh'Sh') <with them>, nor be idle. Thus it is stated (in Exod. 5:6): ON THAT SAME DAY PHARAOH COMMANDED THE TASKMASTERS OVER THE PEOPLE AND THEIR OFFICERS, SAYING. He said to them (in vs. 7): YOU SHALL NO LONGER GIVE THE PEOPLE STRAW…. The Holy One said: Tomorrow I am bringing plagues upon them.³¹Exod. R. 5:19. They said: Pharaoh is sinning, and we are paying. When Israel goes out to bring stubble for them to make straw, the Egyptian smites them, when he sees them in the midst of his field. Therefore (in Exod. 5:12): THEN THE PEOPLE SCATTERED THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND OF EGYPT <TO GATHER STUBBLE FOR STRAW >. (Exod. 5:15) THEN THE OFFICERS OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL CAME AND {SAID} [CRIED] UNTO PHARAOH, <SAYING: WHY HAVE YOU ACTED IN THIS WAY TOWARD YOUR SERVANTS? > What did he reply to them (in vs. 17)? YOU ARE LAZY, LAZY!

And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart (Exod. 14:4). This was said because his heart was undecided whether to pursue them or not. And I will get Me honor upon Pharaoh and upon all his hosts (Exod. 14:4). Upon Pharaoh is mentioned first because he was the first to sin, as it is said: And Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying (ibid. 1:22). Similarly, And the same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters (ibid. 5:6). Hence he was the first to be punished. Therefore, Surely now I have put forth My hand and smitten thee (ibid. 9:15) is followed by And thy people with pestilence.