Exodus 2:11

_AND IT CAME TO PASS IN THOSE DAYS, WHEN MOSES WAS GROWN, THAT HE WENT OUT UNTO HIS BRETHREN, AND LOOKED ON THEIR BURDENS: AND HE SPIED AN EGYPTIAN SMITING AN HEBREW, ONE OF HIS BRETHREN._ In those days, when Moses was grown - not in age and stature only, but in power, as well as in renown for accomplishments and military prowess (Acts 7:23; also Josephus' 'Antiquities,' b. 2:, ch. 10:: cf. the testimonies of ancient writers collected by Champollion-Figeac-`Egypte' ('l'Univers Pittoresque,' pp. 11, 122). There is a gap here in the sacred history which, however, is supplied by the inspired commentary of Paul, who has fully detailed the reasons as well as extent of the change that took place in the condition of Moses; and whether, as some say, his royal mother had proposed to make him co-regent and successor to the crown, or some other circumstances led to a declaration of his mind

11._And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown. _Now did that faith which the Apostle celebrates begin to shew itself, when Moses, despising the pleasures and riches of the Court, chose rather to suffer the reproach of Christ, than to be accounted happy apart from companionship with the chosen people. Nor was it only love for his nation, but faith in the promises, which induced him to undertake this charge, by which he knew that he should incur the hatred of all the Egyptians. For although he did not immediately resign his wealth, and honorable station, and influence, and power, this was, as it were, the preparation for divesting himself of all these deceitful allurements. Whence the Apostle says, “he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.” (Hebrews 11:24.) There is certainly no doubt but that

11-15 Moses boldly owned the cause of God's people. It is plain from Exodus 2:11. that this was done in faith, with the full purpose of leaving the honours, wealth, and pleasures of his rank among the Egyptians. By the grace of God he was a partaker of faith in Christ, which overcomes the world. He was willing, not only to risk all, but to suffer for his sake; being assured that Israel were the people of God. By special warrant from Heaven, which makes no rule for other cases, Moses slew an Egyptian, and rescued an oppressed Israelites. Also, he tried to end a dispute between two Hebrews. The reproof Moses gave, may still be of use. May we not apply it to disputants, who, by their fierce debates, divide and weaken the Christian church? They forget that they are brethren. He that did wrong quarreled with Moses. It is a sign of guilt to be angry at reproof. Men know not what they do, nor...

Verse Exodus 2:11. _WHEN MOSES WAS GROWN_] Being full _forty_ years of age, as St. Stephen says, Acts 7:23, _it came into his heart to visit his brethren_, i.e., he was excited to it by a Divine inspiration; _and seeing one of them_ _suffer wrong_, by an Egyptian smiting him, probably one of the _task-masters, he avenged him and smote _- slew, _the Egyptian,_ _supposing that God_ who had given him commission, had given also _his brethren_ to understand that they were to be delivered _by his_ _hand_; see Acts 7:23. Probably the Egyptian _killed_ the Hebrew, and therefore on the _Noahic precept_ Moses was justified in killing him; and he was authorized so to do by the commis...

WENT OUT UNTO HIS BRETHREN - At the end of 40 years. The Egyptian princess had not concealed from him the fact of his belonging to the oppressed race, nor is it likely that she had debarred him from contact with his foster-mother and her family, whether or not she became aware of the true relationship. AN EGYPTIAN - This man was probably one of the overseers of the workmen, natives under the chief superintendent Exodus 1:11. They were armed with long heavy scourges, made of a tough pliant wood imported from Syria....

EXPOSITION. Exodus 2:11-2 FIRST ATTEMPT OF MOSES TO DELIVER HIS NATION, AND ITS FAILURE. AFTER MOSES WAS GROWN UP — ACCORDING TO THE TRADITION ACCEPTED BY ST. STEPHEN (Acts 7:23), when he was "full forty years old" — having become by some means or other acquainted with the circumstances of his birth, which had most probably never been concealed from him, he determined to "go out" to his brethren, see with his own eyes what their treatment was, and do his best to alleviate it. He had as yet no Divine mission, no command from God to act as he did, but only a natural sympathy with his peop

AND IT CAME TO PASS IN THOSE DAYS, WHEN MOSES WAS GROWN,.... To man's estate; some of the Jewish writers say he was eighteen, others twenty years of age e, but Stephen, who is most to be credited, says he was full forty years of age, Acts 7:23, THAT HE WENT OUT UNTO HIS BRETHREN THE HEBREWS: whom he knew to be his brethren, either by divine revelation, or by conversing with his nurse, who was his mother; who, doubtless, instructed him while he was with her, as far as he was capable of being informed of things, and who might frequently visit her afterwards, by which means he became apprised that he was an Hebrew and not an Egyptian, though he went for the son of Pharaoh's daughter, which he refused to be called when he knew his parentage, Hebrews 11:24 now he went out from Pharaoh's palace, wh

2. MOSES THE CHOSEN DELIVERER CHAPTER 2 Moses: His Birth, Education, Choice, and Exile _ 1. His birth and concealment (Exodus 2:1)_ 2. His rescue and education (Exodus 2:5) 3. His choice and failure (Exodus 2:11) 4. His exile (Exodus 2:15) 5. His marriage (Exodus 2:21) 6. The answered cry (Exodus 2:23) The history of the chosen deliverer, recorded by himself under the guidance of the Spirit, follows the dark picture of Israel

EXODUS 2:11 J. MOSES'S FLIGHT TO MIDIAN. Here is interposed an incident from J, who uses the same word grow (contrast Exodus 2:10) of Moses reaching man's estate, interpreted in Acts 7:23 as 40 years of age (_cf._ 42 years in Jubilees). The Egyptian slain by Moses may have been some bully of a gangmaster (_cf. Exodus 3:7_). The well-intentioned but unjustifiable assumption of the authority to punish committed Moses to the career of a patriot (_cf._ Hebrews 11:24). But the incident was distorted by rumour, and not only aroused the king's anger, but set h

GROWN. and learned in all the wisdom of Egypt, but not yet of God. unto his brethren. Acts 7:23, "it came into his heart". looked on: more than merely saw. regarded with lively sympathy. AN EGYPTIAN. a man ('ish), an Egyptian (App-14.) AN HEBREW. a man (_'ish_),. Hebrew (App-14.)...