7143. 'Saying, Why do you deal thus with your servants?' means that under the present circumstances they could not perform their prescribed function. This is clear from the meaning of 'a servant' as one who ministers and performs a function. Because that person is being of service he is referred to as a servant, as in various places in the Word. One who is obedient is called 'a servant' or 'a slave', see 1713, while 'serving' describes diligent effort, 3824, 3846. And since the narrative that follows on from here implies that they could not endure that service [imposed on them], it is evident that 'why do you deal thus with your servants?' means that under the present circumstances they could not perform their prescribed function.