INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 3 In this chapter we are informed how that the Lord appeared to Moses in a bush on fire, but not consumed, Exodus 3:1, declared unto him that he had seen and observed the afflictions of the children of Israel, and was determined to deliver them, Exodus 3:7, that he gave him a... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW MOSES KEPT THE FLOCK OF JETHRO HIS FATHER IN LAW, THE PRIEST OF MIDIAN,.... Who was either the same with Reuel or Raguel, spoken of in the preceding chapter; or, as others think, a son of his, the father being now dead; seeing it was now forty years since Moses came into Midian, Acts 7:30. Demet... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE ANGEL OF THE LORD APPEARED UNTO HIM,.... Not a created angel, but the Angel of God's presence and covenant, the eternal Word and Son of God; since he is afterwards expressly called Jehovah, and calls himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which a created angel would never do: the appe... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MOSES SAID, I WILL NOW TURN ASIDE,.... From the place where he was, and the flock he was feeding, and get nearer to the bush, which seems to have been on one side of him and not directly before him: AND SEE THIS GREAT SIGHT, WHY THE BUSH IS NOT BURNT; inquire into, and find out, if he could, th... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN THE LORD SAW THAT HE TURNED ASIDE TO SEE,.... Who is before called the Angel of the Lord, here Jehovah, the omniscient and omnipresent Being, who observing Moses turning aside and going onward to gratify his curiosity, by examining more narrowly this strange phenomenon: GOD CALLED UNTO HIM... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID, DRAW NOT NIGH HITHER,.... Keep a proper distance: PUT OFF THY SHOES FROM OFF THY FEET; dust and dirt cleaving to shoes, and these being ordered to be put off from the feet, the instrument of walking, show that those that draw nigh to God, and are worshippers of him, ought to be of pure... [ Continue Reading ]
MOREOVER HE SAID, I AM THE GOD OF THY FATHERS,.... Of every one of his fathers next mentioned: THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB; with whom the covenant respecting the land of Canaan, and the promise of the blessed seed the Messiah, was made: this again shows that the Angel... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE LORD SAID, I HAVE SURELY SEEN THE AFFLICTION OF MY PEOPLE WHICH ARE IN EGYPT,.... Or, "in seeing I have seen", which not only denotes the certainty of it, as we express it; but the clear, distinct, and full sight he had of it, with sympathy towards them, an affectionate concern for them, and... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I AM COME DOWN TO DELIVER THEM OUT OF THE HAND OF THE EGYPTIANS,.... Which must be understood consistent with the omnipresence of God, who is everywhere, and strictly speaking cannot be said to remove from place to place, or to descend; but such a way of speaking is used, when he gives some emin... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THEREFORE, BEHOLD, THE CRY OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL IS COME UNTO ME,.... See Exodus 2:23: AND I HAVE ALSO SEEN THE OPPRESSION WHEREWITH THE EGYPTIANS OPPRESS THEM; which is repeated to observe the great notice he took of it; and the reason of his descent and appearance in this wonderful manner... [ Continue Reading ]
COME NOW THEREFORE,..... Leave thy flock, thy family, and the land of Midian: AND I WILL SEND THEE UNTO PHARAOH: this Pharaoh, according to Eusebius, was Cenchres, the successor of Achoris; but according to Bishop Usher u, his name was Amenophis, who immediately succeeded Ramesses Miamun, under who... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MOSES SAID UNTO GOD, WHO AM I, THAT I SHOULD GO UNTO PHARAOH,.... A private person, an exile in a foreign country, a poor shepherd, unknown to Pharaoh, and had no interest in him; and he a great king, and possessed of numerous forces to defend his country, and prevent the Israelites' departure o... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID, CERTAINLY I WILL BE WITH THEE,.... To encourage and strengthen him; to protect, defend, and preserve him, and to succeed and prosper him; to give him credit and respect with the people of Israel, and influence over Pharaoh to prevail upon him at length to let Israel go: AND THIS SHALL... [ Continue Reading ]
AND MOSES SAID UNTO GOD,.... Having received full satisfaction to his objection, taken from his own unfitness for such a service, and willing to have his way quite clear unto him, and his commission appear firm and valid to his people, he proceeds to observe another difficulty that might possibly ar... [ Continue Reading ]
AND GOD SAID UNTO MOSES, I AM THAT I AM,.... This signifies the real being of God, his self-existence, and that he is the Being of beings; as also it denotes his eternity and immutability, and his constancy and faithfulness in fulfilling his promises, for it includes all time, past, present, and to... [ Continue Reading ]
AND GOD SAID MOREOVER UNTO MOSES,.... As a further explanation of the above name, and of the design and use of it: THUS SHALT THOU SAY UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL: for their further instruction in the said name, and for the confirmation of the mission of Moses, and the success of it: THE LORD GOD... [ Continue Reading ]
GO AND GATHER THE ELDERS OF ISRAEL TOGETHER,.... Not all the ancient men among them, nor the "judges" of the people of Israel; for it does not appear there were such among them in Egypt, until they came into the land of Canaan, but the heads of tribes or families: AND SAY UNTO THEM, THE LORD GOD OF... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I HAVE SAID,.... Within himself, resolved in his own mind, and had declared it to Moses: I WILL BRING YOU UP OUT OF THE AFFLICTION OF EGYPT: with which they were afflicted in Egypt, and by the Egyptians; this he both purposed and promised to bring them out of: unto the land of the Canaanites, c... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY SHALL HEARKEN TO THY VOICE,.... The elders of Israel, who would give credit to his commission, attend to what he said, and obey his orders, and follow the directions that he should give them, and not slight and reject him, as some had done before: AND THOU SHALL COME, THOU, AND THE ELDERS... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I AM SURE THAT THE KING OF EGYPT WILL NOT LET YOU GO,.... Or "but" c "I am sure", c. though so reasonable a request was made him, yet it would not be granted this is observed to them, that they might not be discouraged when he should refuse to dismiss them, which the omniscient God knew beforeha... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I WILL STRETCH OUT MY HAND,.... Or "therefore" e he would stretch out his mighty hand, exert his almighty power; and for this purpose was Pharaoh raised up, and his heart hardened, that God might show his power in him, and on him: AND SMITE EGYPT WITH ALL MY WONDERS, WHICH I WILL DO IN THE MIDS... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I WILL GIVE THIS PEOPLE FAVOUR IN THE SIGHT OF THE EGYPTIANS,.... That is, give the Israelites favour in their sight, a little before their departure, who should be ready to do anything for them, or bestow anything upon them; or however lend them what they would desire, being glad to be at peace... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT EVERY WOMAN SHALL BORROW OF HER NEIGHBOUR, AND OF HER THAT SOJOURNETH IN HER HOUSE,.... Or "shall ask" f, desire them to give or lend, what follows; and by this it appears, that the Israelites by reason of their great increase were spread about, and mixed with the Egyptians; and hence it was tha... [ Continue Reading ]