SIGNS ATTESTING THE COMMISSION OF MOSES. HIS RETURN TO EGYPT Moses still hesitates, and now objects that the péople will not believe him when he tells them that Jehovah has sent him. He is granted the power of working three signs by way of substantiating his commission.... [ Continue Reading ]
A ROD] probably his shepherd's staff.... [ Continue Reading ]
FLED FROM BEFORE IT] A graphic trait, showing that the change was real, and that Moses was not prepared for it.... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THE TAIL] Snake charmers usually take snakes by the neck to prevent them biting. It is much more dangerous to seize them by the tail. When Moses did so with impunity his own faith would be strengthened as well as that of the people: cp. our Lord's promise, Mark 16:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
LEPROUS AS SNOW] i.e. as white as snow. Leprosy was common in Egypt. The form here meant is that in which the skin becomes glossy, white, and callous. This is the worst form of leprosy and was regarded as incurable. This incident, taken together with the fact that the white leprosy was most common a... [ Continue Reading ]
THE RIVER] the Nile. This sign is similar to the first of the plagues (see Exodus 7:20), with the difference that here only part of the water is changed on being poured out on the dry land.... [ Continue Reading ]
Moses now pleads his want of eloquence. Jewish tradition says that he had an actual impediment in his speech, being unable to pronounce the labials. His words here, however, do not necessarily imply any positive defect of this kind. He wishes to be excused, and urges that a more eloquent man than he... [ Continue Reading ]
Cp. Jeremiah 1:6; Luke 21:14; Luke 15:13 This request is equivalent to a refusal to go. Moses says, 'send some one else, but not me.' Accordingly 'the anger of Jehovah was kindled against him.' His punishment takes the form of diminished privilege. Aaron henceforth shares in his distinction. THE LEV... [ Continue Reading ]
Cp. EXODUS 7:1. INSTEAD OF GOD] Because Aaron would receive God's message at the mouth of Moses.... [ Continue Reading ]
SIGNS] RV 'the signs,' i.e. the appointed signs. 18-26. Moses takes leave of Jethro and returns with his wife and children to Egypt.... [ Continue Reading ]
Cp. Matthew 2:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS SONS] Only one has been previously mentioned, but a second had been born in Midian: see Exodus 2:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL HARDEN HIS HEART] God proposes to harden Pharaoh's heart, in order to have the opportunity of displaying His power in the deliverance of His people, and exhibiting His character to the Egyptians. Some take the expression as due to the Eastern and fatalistic way of regarding all that happens i... [ Continue Reading ]
ISRAEL IS MY SON, _even_ MY FIRSTBORN] This expresses God's choice of Israel as His peculiar people: cp. Deuteronomy 14:1; Hosea 11:1; Jeremiah 31:9, and see on Exodus 19:5. The term 'firstborn' indicates the high honour conferred upon Israel, and at the same time contains a hint of the ultimate inc... [ Continue Reading ]
For the fulfilment of this warning see Exodus 12:29; Exodus 12:30.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE INN] RV 'lodging-place,' not necessarily a building. SOUGHT TO KILL HIM] This probably means no more than that Moses was struck with some grievous sickness and was in danger of death. It is another example of the Eastern way of attributing whatever happens to the direct interposition of God,... [ Continue Reading ]
A SHARP STONE] Even in later times than this flint knives were employed in circumcision, being regarded as purer than knives of metal: see Joshua 5:2, where 'sharp knives' should be 'knives of flint,' as in RV. Flint knives were used by the Egyptians in opening bodies for embalming. They are said to... [ Continue Reading ]
HE LET HIM GO] i.e. God let Moses go, removed his sickness and allowed him to recover. It was probably at this time that Moses sent his wife and children back to the house of his father-in-law. They rejoined him at Sinai after the exodus from Egypt: see Exodus 18:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MOUNT OF GOD] Horeb or Sinai: see on Exodus 3:1. The two brothers had not met for forty years previous to this.... [ Continue Reading ]