16. Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. 17. And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. 18. And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that you are come so soon to day? 19. And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock. 20. And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? Why is it that ye have left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread. 21. And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zeppouk his daughter. 22. And the bare dam a son, and he called his name Gerthom: for he said, I have been 'a stranger in a strange land. An occurrence of providence, graciously ordered, introduces him into the family of Reuel, elsewhere called Jethro, a priest or prince of Midian. Note, Every man should be both prince and priest in his own house. We have, 1. His meeting of Reuel's daughters at the well. Some shepherds behaving rudely to them, Moses affils them to water their flocks. No man is too great to do a kind act for the distressed. 2. Their report of it to their father. Though sensible of the kindness, they were too modest to ask him home, till their father was acquainted with it. Note, Nothing so harmful in a woman as forewardness, nothing so pleasing as modesty. 3. Moses is kindly entertained by Reuel, espouses his daughter, and hath by her a son, called Gerthom, as a remembrance of his being a strange place. Here he finds a retreat, and whilst he sends his father's flocks, is prepared, by communion with God, and his appearances to him, for the great work he had appointed him. Note, There are greater enyments to be obtained in the wilderness with God, than in all the pleasures in the courts of princes. 23. And it came to pass in proceeds of time, that the king of Egypt died, and the children of Israel signed by reason of the bondage, and they cried; and their cry came up unto God, by reason of the bondage. 24. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them. The Israelites, who had neglected their deliverer, now groan under aggravated bondage. God will often long and severely rebuke his own people, for their humiliation. Hereupon, 1. They cry unto God. Had they thought of him before, probably they had not groaned so long. It is a sign God is beginning to save, when he pours out a spirit of prayer and supplication upon us. 2. God's attention to them, and his remembrance of them. No prisoner's sighs are unnoticed, no burthened sinner's groans disregarded by him; he will hear their cry, and will help them. 1. Moses objects the people's unbelief, and is dishonored by the miracles he should work, ver. 1—9. 2. He objects his Records of speech, ver. 10. God promises his presence, ver. 11, 12. and joins Aaron in commission with him, ver. 14, 15, 16. and consecrates his rod, ver. 17. 3. He, with his father's leave, par., ver. 18. 4. Receives further instructions, ver. 19—23. 5. Takes his family, ver. 20. 6. Circumscive his fee, ver. 24—26. 7. Meets Aaron, ver. 27—28. 8. Produces his commission, ver. 29—31. 1. AND Moses answered and said, But behold, they will not believe me, but hearken unto my voice: for they will say, the LORD hath not appeared unto thee. 2. And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, 'A rod. 3. And he said, Caft is on the ground; and he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent: and Moses fled from before it. 4. And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail: and he put forth his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand. 5. That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee. 6. ¶ And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom; and he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold his hand was leprous: as snow. 7. And he said, Put thine hand into thy bosom again: and he put his hand into his bosom again, and plucked it out of his bosom, and behold, it was turned again as his other flesh. 8. And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign. 9. And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou taked out of the river, shall become blood upon the dry land. Moses, from a diffidence of himself, and perhaps too from some sinful distrust of God, 1. Suggests his fears of the people's unbelief. God had assured him of the contrary; but how hard is it to rest on God's word against human probabilities, and our own past experience? 2. God's answer, v. 2—9. The miracles should speak for his million, and gain him credit in his message. Two are performed immediately, for his own satisfaction; a third is promised, if needful, for theirs. When Jesus came, the multitude and the nature of his miracles, to a demonstration, proved him sent from God. If Israel had been inexcusable to have refuted these evidences, what must we be, who are compelled about with such a cloud of witnesses, if we disbelieve or reject him? 10. ¶ And Moses said unto the LORD, O my LORD, I am not: eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am flow of speech, and of a flow tongue. 11. And the LORD said unto him, 'Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Have not I the LORD? 12. Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say? Moses still objects, and God continues to answer him. 1. He is not eloquent. Though a man of great abilities, yet flow of speech. God thus distributes diversions of gifts to his servants. Some with deep understanding want expedition and fluency; others, less sinful in judgment, have words at will. Few possess all excellences. 2. God realizes with him on his power and promise. The work is God's; he is able to accomplish it, v. 11. It is his will it shall be done, v. 12. Note, Our gifts and graces are all from God; and if the ears are deaf to gospel calls, or the eyes blind to the things which make for our peace, God will be found just in his judgments. 13. And 13. And he said, O my LORD, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou + wilt send. 14. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, It not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. 15. And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth; and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. 16. And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, e'en he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God. 17. And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs. When he cannot get off by objections, he plainly begs to be excused. A sad proof of his unbelief and cowardice. And now God might justly have rejected him, and given the honour to another; but his choice is unalterable, and he will overcome the resistance of our perverse hearts. But, 1. God testifies his displeasure against him, v. 14. Note. He shews his indignation sometimes against those, whom notwithstanding he will never call away. 2. He joins Aaron in commission with him, to be his spokesman. Thus he had compassion on his infirmities, gives him his brother for a yoke-fellow, and promises to be their director, to teach them what and how they ought to speak. If God does not teach the most eloquent orator, and bleth his discourses, he will only speak to the air, or at best to the ear, not to the heart. 3. He must take his rod. The miracles must be his chief rhetoric, and his works speak more than his word. Note, A minister's life, like this rod, will give the greatest weight to his discourses. 18. ¶ And Moses went and returned to + Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren, which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace. 19. And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for 'all the men are dead which sought thy life. 20. And Moses took his wife, and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the rod of God in his hand. 21. And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh which I have put in thine hand: but 'I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go. 22. And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh: Thus saith the LORD, 'Israel is my son, e'me my first-born. 23. And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: And if thou refuse to let him go, behold, 'I will say thy son, e'me thy first-born. We have here, 1. Moses taking leave of his father in law. He had received much kindness from him; duty therefore and friendship required his abating leave for himself and family to depart. We must never be wanting in respect to our parents, whatever calls of duty may be upon us. 2. God speaks farther to him for his encouragement. His old enemies in Egypt are dead. His fears are thus silenced: not that he should find Pharaoh favourable; though the miracles are to be wrought before him, he will be obstinate; but he shall suffer for it, v. 23. We must expect to find in the work of the ministry many a heart like Pharaoh's. God calls Israel his first-born; for all are his dear children; he hath a father's heart towards them, and they shall find a father's care over them. 3. Moses takes his family along with him. They who are hearty in God's cause, are very willing to hazard all in his service. 24. ¶ And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. 25. Then Zepporah took 'a sharp + flume, and cut off the forefkin of her son, and 'a cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. 26. So he let him go: Then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision. Moses in Midian seems not to have been circumspect in the observance of God's ordinances: perhaps too his wife was averse to this bloody rite, and he feared to offend her. Now God meets him, as he met Balam, and, to refuse him from infarct death, Zepporah with indignation harms to covet. I. cumcle the child, and casts the forefkin at his feet, with an angry reproach, and then God let him go in peace. His wife seems now to be first back to her father. Learn, (1.) How dangerous is abhorred from the people of God, and the means of grace. (2.) How apt we are to yield to the foolish fondness of others, even to the offending God. (3.) That God's people will not escape his anger, when they offend him. (4.) When we have neglected duty, we must return to it without delay. (5.) The removal of our sins will usually alleviate or remove our judgments. (6.) We must be content to bear reproach in God's service. 27. ¶ And the LORD said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him. 28. And Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD, who had sent him, and all the signs which he had commanded him. 29. ¶ And Moses and Aaron went, and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel. 30. And Aaron spoke all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people. 31. And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had wished the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped. For Moses's farther comfort, God sends Aaron to meet him. The interview was affectionate; and Moses having informed him of God's commission, they proceed together, and are received with joy by the elders and people. Note, (1.) Comfortable meeting of friends is a mercy, but the obedient attention of the people to their ministers, a greater. (2.) We should not be too limous on the full promising appearances: the fullest blown tree bears not always proportionable fruit. (3.) If grace do not touch the heart, miracles can produce but temporary faith. 1. Moses and Aaron are here dealing with Pharaoh, to get leave of him to go worship in the wilderness, vers. 1—3. 2. He answers their request to a fast denial, with further orders to appeal, Israel, vers. 2—9. Their cruel orders were, 1. Executed by the ex-templers, vers. 10—14. 2. Complained of to Pharaoh, but in vain, vers. 15—19. 3. Complained of by the people to Moses, vers. 20, 21. and by him to God, vers. 22, 23. 1. AND afterwards Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. 2. And Pharaoh said, 'Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.' v. 1, 2. Moses and Aaron make no delay. 1. They boldly deliver their message, v. 1. God's people are his peculiar portion, and it is at their peril, who injure or oppress them. They must hold a feast to him, and the sacrifice which points to the atonement in the substance of the feast. Faith in the atoning blood of Jesus makes the sweetest feast for the soul. 2. Pharaoh's impious answer, and fast denial, v. 2. They who oppress God's people, will despise their God; they neither know him nor fear him. Note, (1.) The cause of every sin is ignorance of God; for where there is no knowledge, there is no fear of him. (2.) Obstinate sinners go from iniquity to impiety; they self offend, and then defy the God of Israel; but it shall be to their cost. 3. And they said, 'The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword. 4. And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works get you unto your burdens. 5. And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and you make them rest from their burdens. 6. And Pharaoh commanded the same day the safe-mothers of the people, and their officers, saying, 7. Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves. 8. And the tale of the bricks which they did make heretofore, you shall lay upon them; you shall not diminish, and thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God. 9. Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein: and let them not regard 'wain words.' Their first application being in vain, the second hath as ill success. They who have no fear of God, will have little compassion for man. 1. They intreat him for three days respite, and urge a safe excuse, lest God be angry for the neglect of his service. Now, we have need to fear his visitations, when we are found diluting his ordinances. 2. Pharaoh will not part with them for an hour; nay, reproaches them as idle, and adds to their burdens. Nor shall Moses and Aaron fare better than the rest. Learn, (1) That faithful ministers must expect, in dangerous times, to be the first to suffer. (2) The service of God often bears, from the enemies of it, the reproach of idleness. (3) When we have to deal with men of perverse minds, like Pharaoh, we must expect such unreasonable demands. 10. ¶ And the task-masters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spoke to the people, saying, Thus faith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw. 11. Go ye, get you straw where you can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished. 12. So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt, to gather stubble instead of straw. 13. And the task-masters halted them, saying, I will your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw. 14. And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh's task-masters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick, both yesterday and to day, as heretofore? But men will usually find bad instruments to favor them. The task-masters deeply urge the people; and though without straw it was impossible to fulfil their tale of bricks, they are beaten. What a blessing is liberty! how should we value it? Now, That minister is no better than these Egyptians, who, instead of the liberty of the gospel, preaches the bondage of the law, which a fallen sinner can no more keep, than he can make brick without straw. 15. ¶ Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealeft thou thus with thy servants? 16. There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine own people. 17. But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go, and do sacrifice to the LORD. 18. Go therefore now and work: for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks. 19. And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in evil cafe, after it was said, Ye shall not mindle eagle from your bricks of your daily safe. An evil cafe no doubt. The remonstrance they made was as just and humble, as the answer they receive is tyrannical and severe. 1. They are his servants, willing to labour, and are beaten, when the fault is in Pharaoh's people. It is the lot of God's people ever 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? Now, The world's reproaches are as groundless as Pharaoh's; and whatever pretence they may make, the real cruelty, the inbred enmity of their heart against our God and his holy ways. 20. ¶ And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh. 21. And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because you have made our favour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hands to stay us. 22. And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil intreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me? 23. For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all. We have here, 1. Their displeasure at Moses and Aaron. How unjust and ill-stimed? Are they who put their lives in their hands to save them, to be reproached as destroyers? The best actions will, if not immediately successful, expose us often to the confines of those we meant to serve. 2. Moses's application to God. He presented a remonstrance to Pharaoh in vain; but he shall not do so to God. He ex-posed, complaining, and begs help in this needful time of trouble. Now, (1.) Our sufferings may intercede, when God is working, most for our deliverance. (2.) It is a heavy grief to ministers, to see their labours of love, instead of being successful, exasperating the enmity, and stirring up the corruptions of their beaters. (3.) The way to be called, is to go and complain to our God. Much ado there was to bring Moses to his work, and no less to put him forward in it. Witness this chapter, in which, 1. God answers his complaints, ver. 1. 2. He gives him fuller instructions, ver. 2-8. But the people disregard him, ver. 9. 3. He sends him again to Pharaoh, ver. 10, 11. But Moses objects against that, ver. 12. A strict charge to given to him and his brother, to execute their commission with vigour, ver. 13. 4. An abfracal of the genealogy of the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, and Levi, ver. 14-27. 1. THEN the LORD said unto Moses, Now that thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for 'with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land. 2. And God spoke unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD: 3. And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of 'God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them. 4. And I have also established my covenant with them, 'to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers. 5. And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant. 6. Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage: and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments. 7. And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8. And I will bring you in unto the land concerning the which I did swear to give it, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the LORD. 9. ¶ And Moses spoke so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkned not unto Moses, for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage. 1. God felences Moses's complaint with assurances of success. He will work, and who shall let it? If his mighty head of grace or judgment be stretched forth, when he begins he will make an end. He was known as El Jundais, a God all-sufficient, before; but now he will accomplish the hope of Israel, as Jehovah, the premish-suffilling God. He heard his people's cries before Moses spoke, and their deliverance is both certain and near. Let God's Israel then, in their deepest distresses, trust, and not be afraid. 2. Moses carries the glad message to the people; but they are so objected, they pay no attention to it. Thus often impatient former refuses comfort, and despair turns a deaf ear to the promises of mercy. 10. And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, 11. Go in, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land. 12. And Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkned unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, 'who am of uncircumcised lips? 13. And the LORD spoke unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and gave them a charge unto the children of Israel, and unto Pharaoh king of Egypt; to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt. Though sinners be obstinate, we must not cease to warn them. It may be, God will yet turn their hearts. Moses is sent again unto Pharaoh with the same message. Hereupon, 1. Moses objects the improbability of success: if his own people will not hear him, much less will Pharaoh. Besides, he urges his own definitive utterance to plead their cause. Now, (1.) It is very discouraging, when we find those from whom we expected success, unavoidable. (2.) Though we have God's commission for our work, we are too ready to be disheartened by John 1607. Three more of the plagues of Egypt are related in this chapter. (1). That of the frogs, threatened, inflicted, mimicked by the magicians, removed at the humble request of Pharaoh, who yet hardens his heart, and refutes to his Israel go, ver. 1-15. (2.) The plague of lice, ver. 16, 17. By which, 1. The magicians were bathed, ver. 18, 19. and yet, 2. Pharaoh was hardened, ver. 19. (3.) That of flies: 1. Pharaoh is warmed of it before, ver. 20, 21. and said that the land of Goshen should be exempt from this plague, ver. 22, 23. 2. The plague is brought, ver. 24. 3. Pharaoh treats with Moses, about the release of Israel, and humbles himself, ver. 25-29. 4. The plague is thereupon removed, ver. 31. and Pharaoh's heart hardened, ver. 32. 1. AND the LORD spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and lay unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me. 2. And if thou refute to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy bonfers with frogs. 3. And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into thine house, and into thy bed-chamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneading-troughs. 4. And the frogs shall come up both on thee, and upon thy people, and upon all thy servants. 5. And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt. 6. And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt. 7. And the magicians did so with their inchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt. 8. Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, 'Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people: and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD. 9. And Moses said unto Pharaoh, Glory over me: when shall I intreat for thee and for thy servants, and for thy people, so destroy the frogs from thee, and thy houses, that they may remain in the river only? 10. And he said, To-morrow. And he said, Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know, that there is none like unto the LORD our God. 11. And the frogs shall depart from thee, and from thy houses, and from thy servants, and from thy people; they shall remain in the river only. 12. And Moses and Aaron were out from Pharaoh: and Moses cried unto the LORD, because of the frogs which he had brought against Pharaoh. 13. And the LORD did according to the word of Moses: and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the villages, and out of the fields. 14. And they gathered them together upon keeps: and the land stank. 15. But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkned not unto them; as the LORD had said. The seven days of the first plague being expired, God brings a second. He has many arrows in his quiver. But, 1. He sends to beg his people's deliverance, for Pharaoh's sake, as well as them: for God delighteth not in the death of a sinner. He adds threats to his intreaty, but in vain. Hereupon, 2. The plague is inflicted. The frogs come up, as an invading army: no place is free, even to their beds and kneading-troughs. Note, When God parlous the guilty confidence, even his bed cannot give him rest, nor his meals be in quart. 3. The magicians imitate or aggravate the judgment. It is a bad power, which we had better be without, only to be able to do hurt. 4. Pharaoh now at last begins for a moment to relent. Moses and Aaron are called; he begs their prayers, and promises to let the people go. In times of suffering, many will call for their help or prayers, which before it may be they despised. 5. Moses gives Pharaoh the honour of fixing the time, with assurance of their removal. Pharaoh appoints tomorrow. 6. His prayer, and the success of it, v. 12, 13. Note, (1.) If we must pray for our perfectures, how much more for such as give us hopes of penitence. (2.) The prayer of faith is wonderfully effectual. 7. Pharaoh's inopiniscence: no sinner respite, than again hardened. Like his are most sick-bed promises, that with returning health are all forgotten. Neither God's patience, nor his judgments, without his grace, will savingly convert the sinner's heart. The more smitten, the more spared, the more inopentient. 16. And the LORD said unto Moses, say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt. 17. And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smite the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man and in beast: all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. 18. And the magicians did so with their inchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man and upon beast. 19. Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkned not unto them; as the LORD had said. The vilest and most despicable of the creatures, when sent from him, are sufficient to plague the proudest. The frogs are gone, and Pharaoh at ease. But now, without warning. 1. The lice come upon him; nor man nor beast is free from this loathsome intruder. They who will not repent of their sins shall be plagued for them. 2. The magicians are baffled in their attempts. They who can bring frogs, can neither bring nor remove the lice. The devil can go no farther than his chain. They are made to own the finger of God. Thus the most inveterate of God's enemies have oft-chness bore testimony to his glory. 3. Pharaoh's determined hardness of heart. When God gives a man up to a reprobate mind, nothing can save him. 20. And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, (so, he cometh forth to the water) and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me. 21. Else if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send a swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are. 22. And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there: to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth. 23. And I will put a division between my people and thy people; so to-morrow shall this sign be. 24. And the LORD did so: and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and and into his servants houses, and into all the land of Egypt: the land was + corrupted by reason of the swarm of fire. 25 ¶ And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land. 26. And Moses said, It is not more to do: for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God: Lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us? 27. We will go there days journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the LORD our God, as he shall command us. 28. And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness, only you shall not go very far away: intreat for me. 29. And Moses said, Behold, I go out from thee, and I will intreat the LORD, that the swarms of fire may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, to-morrow: but let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more, in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD. 30. And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD. 31. And the LORD did according to the word of Moses, and he recovered the swarms of fires from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people: there remained not one. 32. And Pharaoh * hardned his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go. 1. Pharaoh is warned of God's resolution to send a grievous swarm of fires. He was probably praying at the river to his false gods, and here is a message to him from Jehovah. Diminution shall be made between God's people and his, more evidently to demonstrate the hand of God in the judgment. Whilst Egypt is full of fires, Gathen shall be free. Note, God is able to secure his servants from common defections here; but if they should now sink with others in affection, the day is near, when he will make an awful and eternal separation between the righteous and the wicked. 2. Pharaoh calls for Moses and Aaron; and, tormented with these noisome insects, he makes some relentless concessions: they shall worship, but in Egypt. The proposal is rejected, and the nation given, v. 26. They insist upon liberty to depart, v. 27. and he with unwillingness confesses they shall go, but not far out of his reach. Note, (1.) Sins that we are driven from by a tormented conscience through fear only, like a mifflin's cast off in a passion, will soon be taken in again. (2.) In order to serve God acceptably, we must be separate from the ways and company of a wicked world. (3.) No service can please him, but what is according to his will and word. 3. Moses is content to intercede for him, but admonishes him not to deal deceitfully. God is not mocked. Forced repentance usually betrays itself; but though we impede upon men, we cannot upon God: we can only deceive ourselves to our man. 4. The plague is removed, and Pharaoh's hypocrisy appears. Bad trusting to wicked men's words. The ambition and pride of kings make them often break their solemn treaties; but they only thereby court their own destruction. In this chapter we have an account of three more of the plagues of Egypt. 1. Murrain among the cattle, ver. 1—7. 2. Bish upon man and loaf, ver. 8—12. 3. Mail with thunder and lightning. 1. Warning is given, ver. 13—21. 2. It is inflicted to their great terror, ver. 22—26. 3. Pharaoh in a fright renews his treaty with Moses, but infirmly breaks his word, ver. 27—35. 1. THEN the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. 2. For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still. 3. Behold the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain. 4. And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel, and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children of Israel. 5. And the LORD appointed a set time, saying, To-morrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land. 6. And the LORD did that thing on the morrow, and all the cattle of Egypt died: but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one. 7. And Pharaoh sent, and behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. Vol. I. And * the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go. Who can stand before this holy Lord God? His strokes fall still heavier. The grievous murrain is denounced and comes. The cattle of Egypt die, whilst those of Israel live, Pharaoh sends to see, yet rejects the conviction. Nothing will convince those whom God determines to destroy. 8. ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it towards the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh. 9. And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains, upon man, and upon beaft, throughout all the land of Egypt. 10. And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh, and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven: and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beaft. 11. And the magicians could not stand before Moses, because of the boil: for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians. 12. And the LORD hardned the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them, * as the LORD had spoken unto Moses. 1. AND the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for 'I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants; that I might shew these my signs before him: 2. And that 'thou mayst sell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done amongst them; that ye may know how that I am the LORD. 3. And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? Let my people go, that they may serve me. 4. Else if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to-morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coals. 5. And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to see the earth; and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field. 6. And they shall fill thy houses, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians; which neither thy fathers, nor thy fathers fathers have seen, since the day that they were upon the earth, unto this day. And he turned himself, and went out from Pharaoh. 7. And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? Let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: Knoweth thou not yet, that Egypt is destroyed? 8. And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the LORD your God: but who are they that shall go? 9. And Moses said, We will go with our young, and with our old, with our sons, and with our daughters; with our flocks, and with our herds will we go: for we may hold a feast unto the LORD. 10. And he said unto them, Let the LORD be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it, for evil is before you. 11. Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD, for that you did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence. God's judgments are standing memorials of his power and justice, that the poilhenés of the earth may not dare to contend with their Maker. Egypt is almost consumed, but her king is shibinate as ever. Therefore, 1. Moses is sent again to challenge God's people. Before he intreated, now he demands. It required courage indeed to stand thus before an incensed king. Grace makes men as bold as lions. The locusts are threatened, v. 4, 5, and, without waiting for reply, he turns and departs. 2. Pharaoh's servants intercede with him, for fear of that evident ruin which must attend his refusal. On this he makes a new proposal, v. 8, but, as they who serve God, must serve him with all they possess, Moses insists on leave to depart for themselves, their children, and their cattle, v. 9. This Pharaoh rejects with indignation, and drives them from his presence in a rage. Note, When the Devil gets a sinner to the precipice, he pushes him quickly headlong down. 12. ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, now all that the hail hath left. 13. And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night: and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. 14. And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they, before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such. 15. For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened, and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees, which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt. 16. ¶ Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have finned against the LORD your God, and against you. 17. Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and 'intreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only. 18. And he went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD. 19. And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and I cast them into the Red-fea: there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt. 20. But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go. To humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, is the way to save his judgments; to harden our heart, is but to increase them. Behold, another plague: that affected their cattle, this their persons. A boil, as painful as loathsome. The fire of the furnace never scorched the Israelites, so much as this dust the body of the Egyptians. Not even the magicians could stand before it: their folly is now as manifest, as their sufferings are grievous. Note, (1.) God will most severely handle those who have been most instrumental in deceiving and hardening others. (2.) Though the devil should come into his, he cannot preserve them from suffering. Pharaoh still is hardened: he had rejected God's warnings, and now his impenitence is both his punishment and crime. Note, When men reject God, it is just they should be rejected by him. 13. ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Rite up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. 14. For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people: that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth. 15. For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth. 16. And in very deed for this cause have I + raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth. 17. As yet exalted thou thylest against my people, that thou wilt not let them go? 18. Behold, to-morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof, even until now. 19. Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field: for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die. 20. He that feared the word of the LORD amongst the servants of Pharaoh, made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses. 21. And he that regarded not the word of the LORD, left his servants and his cattle in the fields. The locusts come, the sky is darkened, the earth covered, and the little which the hail had left utterly consumed. How soon can God, by the most contemptible insects, make our land a wilderness! Hereupon, 1. Pharaoh 1. Pharaoh returns to submissive and intramy, begs pardon of God and his servants, and promises very largely, v. 16, 17. Note, (1.) They who despise God's ministers, had well all their pardon, before they stand to accuse them at the bar of God. (2.) They who are more solicitous to remove the threatened death, than their sin which is the cause of it, are certainly hypocritical penitents. 2. Moses prays, and a west wind carries the locusts away. No sooner is the plague removed, than Pharaoh returns as the dog to his worst again. Frequent relapses into sin usually and in final apology. 21. ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand towards heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. 22. And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven: and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. 23. They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days; but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings. 24. ¶ And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you. 25. And Moses said, Thou muth give it us also sacrifices and burns-offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God. 26. Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind: for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God; and we know not with what we must serve the LORD, until we come thither. 27. ¶ But the LORD * hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go. 28. And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to myself, see my face no more: for in that day thou seeh my face, thou shalt die. 29. And Moses said, Thou hath spoken well, I will see thy face again no more. Did ever any man harden his heart against God, and prosper? Let us read and tremble. 1. A new demand is made, and a more terrible judgment threatened. Bodily plagues are grievous, but heart-plagues the world of miseries. God will be glorified wherever he contends. The wrath and furiousness of man shall praise him. Pharaoh is raised up, on purpose to make his power known: dreadful summit of dignity, like Lucifer's, only to fall with more distinguished ruin. Note, The vessels of wrath fitted for destruction shall as certainly shew forth the sovereignty, power, and justice of God, as the vessels of mercy, his distinguishing grace and love. 2. To those who have any fear of God, time is given to prepare for, and avoid the stroke, by taking in their cattle. Mercy here mingles with judgment. Note, If a man hear and fear, he may escape; for there is in Jesus Christ a covert from the storm for the chief of sinners. Some, like the master, despised the warning: "Wickedness in high places affords a most pernicious and prevalent example. Some feared, and brought in their cattle. Rev. xli. Hole. God tracing of their waters. 1, 2. 1, 3. turned Barns Chid 1431. turned to blood. 21. And the fish that was in the river, died: and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river, and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt. 22. And the magicians of Egypt did so with their inchantments: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, neither did he harken unto them; as the LORD had said. 23. And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also. 24. And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink: for they could not drink of the water of the river. 25. And seven days were fulfilled, after that the LORD had smitten the river. God gives warning before he strikes. Vengeance is his strange work; but when admonition is vain, then he draws the glittering sword. 1. The judgment is heavy. All the water turned into blood, their fish destroyed, their land threatened thus with dearth, and themselves to die with thirst. The waters of the Nile were the cause of Egypt's fruitfulness, but now they are its plague; so easily can God turn our comforts into curses. They had stained in dreams with the blood of Hebrew children, and now they shall in return have blood to drink. Thus God will repay in kind; and this done openly for their greater consideration. Truth never needs nor sicks the covert. Locus hence, (1). How ill we can do without the most common blessings: the want of water only would destroy us. (2.) That we must blame our sins as the cause of all our sufferings. 2. The magicians are ready to oppose miracles by lies. They seem to have juggled in this; for, if all the waters were blood, where should they prove their power? Had they turned the blood into water, they had been great indeed; but if any water was found by those who digged for it, God's permitting them to turn it into blood, but aggravated the judgment. However, false or real, Pharaoh was persuaded. Note, Every infidel must believe things more absurd and contradictory, to countenance his infidelity, than he can lay to the charge of those whom he calls credulous. When sin is not repented of, God's wrath is not turned away; and though there may be intervals of respite, yet his hand is stretched out still. 1. A more dismal plague overtakes them; total darkness, so thick as to be felt, and made more frightful from the terrors of confederate, which now must stave them, as well as perhaps from stends of darkness, who, at tradition reports, with horrid yells tremested and haunted those miserable souls. Three days it continued, nor did any sin from his place. Note, Hell is the place of darkness and of torment. They who chuse the darkness of sin, are doomed to this outer darkness, where is weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth. If three days so spent were dreadful, what must it be to spend eternity thus? 2. Israel had light in their dwellings. How much better the lighthouse tent of a Hebrew servant, than the darkened palaces of proud Pharaoh? Note, The soul in a cottage, who enjoys the light of God's countenance, is unfeasantly more happy, than the greatest monarch that walks in the darkness of sin. 3. Pharaoh again sounds a parley, advances a little farther, v. 24. Moses is peremptory; a hoof shall not be left behind. Note, False repentance is always partial, and some secret sin is reserved: true repentance is universal, in renouncing every known evil. Allowedly, not a hoof must be left behind. 4. Mad with rage, Pharaoh thrush him out, and threatens him with death, if he dare ever appear in his presence again. Impotent threats! The ungodly gnash with their teeth, and pine away. Moses confents to his commands, and leaves him quickly, with suffer indignation. That soul, that people, that place, are then past recovery, who thrush out God's ministers from them, and have the dust of their feet shaken off for a testimony against them. 21. Rev. 2.1.2. (Rev. 2.1.2.) 1. Heb. Here that Read. 1 Heb. See see his hand unto. Barnach-cattle. God hath his fecese ones in the worst days, and even in Casar's household. 22. ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be a hall in all the land of Egypt; upon man, and upon beall, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt. 23. And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven, and the LORD first thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt. 24. So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt, since it became a nation. 25. And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt, all that was in the field, both man and beall; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field. 26. Only in the land of Godhen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail. 27. ¶ And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have finned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. 28. 'Intreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer. 29. And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD: and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know, how that the earth is the LORD's. 30. But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God. 31. And the flax and the barley was finitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled. 32. 'But the wheat and the rye were not finitten; for they were not grown up. 33. And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth. 34. And when Pharaoh saw that the rain, and the hail, and the thunders were ceased, he finned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants. 35. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses. How terrible the storm, how dreadful the havock? Whilst mighty thunders utter their voices in the heavens, and the lightnings flash around, the battering hail, refillless in its fury, bears down all before it. Egypt seems swept with the bosom of destruction: men, cattle, trees, corn, lie in promiscuous ruin. Nothing is left alive, that is exposed to the devouring tempel, whilst Godhen enjoys peaceful serenity. Pharaoh, astonished, humbles himself to the dust, confesses his wickedness, and interests forgiveness. Moses immediately goes out. They need not fear, whom God protects. In the midst of the storm he prays and is heard. Note, They who have learnt to pray, are thunder-proof. But no sooner does the storm cease, than Pharaoh recants. Confessions extorted by fear are scarce fences made than revoked. How many a fence hath trembled, like Pharaoh, and, for a moment, owned a God of judgment; and then, when the danger was passed, perhaps laughed at his own fears, and carried it off with a bravado. God's judgments are standing memorials of his power and justice, that the poilhenés of the earth may not dare to contend with their Maker. Egypt is almost consumed, but her king is shibinate as ever. Therefore, 1. Moses is sent again to challenge God's people. Before he intreated, now he demands. It required courage indeed to stand thus before an incensed king. Grace makes men as bold as lions. The locusts are threatened, v. 4, 5, and, without waiting for reply, he turns and departs. 2. Pharaoh's servants intercede with him, for fear of that evident ruin which must attend his refusal. On this he makes a new proposal, v. 8, but, as they who serve God, must serve him with all they possess, Moses insists on leave to depart for themselves, their children, and their cattle, v. 9. This Pharaoh rejects with indignation, and drives them from his presence in a rage. Note, When the Devil gets a sinner to the precipice, he pushes him quickly headlong down. 12. ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, now all that the hail hath left. 13. And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night: and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. 14. And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they, before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such. 15. For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened, and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees, which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt. 16. ¶ Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have finned against the LORD your God, and against you. 17. Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and 'intreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only. 18. And he went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD. 19. And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and I cast them into the Red-fea: there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt. 20. But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go. The locusts come, the sky is darkened, the earth covered, and the little which the hail had left utterly consumed. How soon can God, by the most contemptible insects, make our land a wilderness! Hereupon, 1. Pharaoh How terrible the storm, how dreadful the havock? Whilst mighty thunders utter their voices in the heavens, and the lightnings flash around, the battering hail, refillless in its fury, bears down all before it. Egypt seems swept with the bosom of destruction: men, cattle, trees, corn, lie in promiscuous ruin. Nothing is left alive, that is exposed to the devouring tempel, whilst Godhen enjoys peaceful serenity. Pharaoh, astonished, humbles himself to the dust, confesses his wickedness, and interests forgiveness. Moses immediately goes out. They need not fear, whom God protects. In the midst of the storm he prays and is heard. Note, They who have learnt to pray, are thunder-proof. But no sooner does the storm cease, than Pharaoh recants. Confessions extorted by fear are scarce fences made than revoked. How many a fence hath trembled, like Pharaoh, and, for a moment, owned a God of judgment; and then, when the danger was passed, perhaps laughed at his own fears, and carried it off with a bravado. CHAP. X. The eighth and ninth of the plague of Egypt, that of locusts, and that of darkness, are recorded in this chapter. 1. Concerning the plague of locusts, (1.) God instructs Moses in the meaning of these amazing dispositions, ver. 1, 2. (2.) He threatens the locusts, ver. 3—6. (3.) Pharaoh, at the persuasion of his servants, is willing to treat again with Moses, ver. 7, 8, 9. but they cannot agree, ver. 10, 11. (4.) The locusts came, ver. 12—15. (5.) Pharaoh intracts, ver. 16, 17. Moses prays for the removal of the plague, ver. 18, 19. Pharaoh still hardened, ver. 20. 2. Concerning the plague of darkness, 1. It is inflicted, ver. 21, 22, 23. 2. Pharaoh again treats with Moses about a surrender, but breaks off in a boat, ver. 24—29. Chap. ix. 41. &vii. 42. 3 PC. Iod. 18. &incels. 5. 1. AND the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for 'I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants; that I might shew these my signs before him: 2. And that 'thou mayst sell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done amongst them; that ye may know how that I am the LORD. 3. And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? Let my people go, that they may serve me. 4. Else if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to-morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coals. 5. And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to see the earth; and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field. 6. And they shall fill thy houses, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians; which neither thy fathers, nor thy fathers fathers have seen, since the day that they were upon the earth, unto this day. And he turned himself, and went out from Pharaoh. 7. And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? Let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: Knoweth thou not yet, that Egypt is destroyed? 8. And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the LORD your God: but who are they that shall go? 9. And Moses said, We will go with our young, and with our old, with our sons, and with our daughters; with our flocks, and with our herds will we go: for we may hold a feast unto the LORD. 10. And he said unto them, Let the LORD be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it, for evil is before you. 11. Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD, for that you did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence. Moses takes his final leave of Pharaoh. 1. God gives him instructions what to do, ver. 1, 2, 3. 2. The last message concerning the death of the first-born, ver. 4—8. 3. A repetition of the predation of Pharaoh's lurdering his heart, ver. 9, and the event answering it, ver. 10. 1. AND the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence: when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether. 2. Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold. 3. And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the light of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people. They who despised Moses at first, begin to fear and honour him at last. God gives him his last directions. Israel had served for no wages long enough; God will now repay them in the jewels of Egypt. Some way or other, they who suffer for him shall obtain their reward. God hath a short work to do; one stroke more, and then they shall be as earnest to thrash them out, as before to build them prisoners. Note, There is one judgment yet to come after this life against sinners, which shall humble them, if nothing else doth. 4. And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt. 5. And all the first-born in the land of Egypt shall die, from the first-born of Pharaoh, that fitters upon his throne, even unto the first-born of the maid-servant that is behind the mill; and all the first-born of health. 6. And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more. 7. But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beall: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel. 8. And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee; and after that I will go out: and he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger. 9. And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt. 10. And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land. Your lamb shall be 'without blemish, a male &of the first year; ye shall take it out from the sheep or from the goats. 6. And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month; and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. 7. And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side-pofts, and on the upper door-polt of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. 8. And they shall eat the flesh in that night; roft with fire, and 'unleavened bread, and with bitter berks they shall eat it. 9. Eat out of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roft with fire: his head with his legs, and with the purrenance thereof. 10. And 'ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning, ye shall burn with fire. 11. And thus shall ye eat it; and your lions girded, your flocs on your feet, and your staff in your hand: and ye shall eat it in halle: 'it is the LORD's pafover. 12. For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will fume all the firth-born in the land of Egypt, both man and beaf: and 'against all the goods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. 13. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where you are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to defray you, when I fume the land of Egypt. 14. And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and you shall keep it a feaft to the LORD throughout your generations: you shall keep it a feaft by an ordinance for ever. 15. Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread, even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread, from the first day until the seventh day, 'that soul shall be cut off from Israel. 16. And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you: no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you. 17. And ye shall observe the feaft of unleavened bread; for in this self-same day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever. 18. In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even. 19. Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger or born in the land. 20. Ye shall eat nothing leavened: in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread. The deliverance of Israel advances. Orders are issued out about their departure, and the preparations for it. As they now are to begin new lives, they are to count from this day the new year. Now, That is emphatically one birth-day, and the beginning of years, when we begin to escape from sin, and live to God. 1. The pafover is infatuated, with particular directions for profets and future ufe, v. 3—4. and the days of unleavened bread are to follow, in memory of this great event, their escape from the house of their profets. We must begin with God, whatever haste of business is upon our hands. 2. God's visitation upon Egypt and her idols, v. 12. All the vain confidence of sinners must perish with them. 3. The respect their ordinances have to us in gospel times. (1.) Christ is our pafover; a lamb without blemish, appointed and set apart by God to be slain; enduring the fiercest fire of divine wrath, and sacrificed for all his spiritual Israel. (2.) His blood must be slain; he sprinkled on our conferences. Wherever it is found, there is no condemnation; and we must never be ashamed to profess our open dependence upon him. (3.) The Lamb of God is to be fed upon, as our spiritual strength and nourishment. As the time is there, we must make halle to draw near to him. The bitter berks of repentance should attend the feaft, and give a greater result to the food; and we those who remember how near their departure is, we should be ready, not only to leave our like behind, but also before in the doft, whenever he calls us away on his blinded feet. (4.) Then we shall keep the feaft with holy joy, as pardoned sinners; with fervent affliction, so those who are going to possess the same land; with fluently and truth, remonating the leaven of malice and wickedness; and thus persevering, till we come to sit down in the true Canaan, the kingdom of eternal glory. 21. ¶ Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb, according to your families, and kill the pafover. 22. ¶ On the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land of the land The blow was long suspended, Exod. iv. 23. Now it descends. God tries lesser chastisements first, to bring men to repentance; but when they are found incorrigible, then vengeance overtakes them to the uttermost. 1. The judgment is denounced; the time fixed, at dead of night; the extent of it, from the prince to the slave: Israel alone is exempted. In their dwellings there shall be life and joy, whilst death and mourning shall fill the houses of the Egyptians. Note, Death, as the wages of sin, can never hurt those who are passed from death unto life. 2. It is foretold how supplant the proud persecutors would grow, v. 8, and hereupon Moses with indignation leaves the devoted palace. Note, (1.) The hardness of sinners hearts is a bitter grief to the ministers of Christ. (2.) When sin is the object of our indignation, we may be angry, and sin not. 3. The determined hardness of Pharaoh's heart, as foretold, continues. Note, We are not to wonder at the general rejection of God's truth; it was foretold long ago.