7144. 'No straw is given to your servants' means that they were no longer being supplied with factual knowledge that is a container for truth. This is clear from the meaning of 'straw' as factual knowledge, the most general kind of all, dealt with in 7112, which - being like a vessel that can be filled with truths, 4745, 4387, 5208, 7131 - is called factual knowledge that is a container for truth; from the meaning of 'not being given' as not being supplied with; and from the meaning of 'servants' as those who minister and perform a function, dealt with immediately above in 7143.

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.