Exodus 2:14

_AND WHEN HE WENT OUT THE SECOND DAY, BEHOLD, TWO MEN OF THE HEBREWS STROVE TOGETHER: AND HE SAID TO HIM THAT DID THE WRONG, WHEREFORE SMITEST THOU THY FELLOW?_ Two men of the Hebrews strove. The benevolent mediation in this strife, though made in the kindest and mildest manner, was resented, and the taunt of the aggressor showing that Moses' conduct on the preceding day had become generally known, he determined to consult his safety by immediate flight (Hebrews 11:27). 'The Hebrews themselves had been his betrayers. This is, in the first place, a probable effect of the degradation consequent upon their state of slavery. There were, in addition, other and still more powerful reasons to prejudice him in the minds of his brethren, who would doubtless resent, and deeply, as a wrong done to their clan, his refusal of the crown of Egypt' ('Mon. History,' 2: p. 568). These two

14._Who made thee a prince? _No wonder if the headstrong and wicked man repels angrily this mild admonition; for thus are those, who are disposed to injustice, accustomed to rage as soon as they are reproved, and to drive away good advisers with contumely. And certainly it is an uncommon virtue to acknowledge our faults, and patiently to submit to correction. For in proportion to a man’s evil disposition, and to the greatness of his offense, is his rage under admonition, and his violence in altercation; wherefore, whoever undertakes to restrain the wicked must expect to meet with these indignities. Still, we may understand from the petulance of this individual how perverse were the minds of the whole nation. On this account Stephen says that Moses was refused by his own nation, and accuses them all of ingratitude. (Acts 7:35.) But, without being too hard on this people, we learn from

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 2:14. _AND MOSES FEARED_] He saw that the Israelites were not as yet prepared to leave their bondage; and that though God had called him to be their leader, yet his providence had not yet sufficiently opened the way; and had he stayed in Egypt he must have endangered his life. Prudence therefore dictated an escape for the present to the land of Midian....

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 HE SAID, WHO MADE THEE A PRINCE AND A JUDGE OVER US?.... God had designed him for one, and so he appeared to be afterwards; but this man's meaning is, that he was not appointed by Pharaoh's order then, and so had nothing to do to interfere in their differences and quarrels; though Moses did not take upon him to act in an authoritative way, but to exhort and persuade them to peace and love, as they were brethren: INTENDEST THOU TO KILL ME, AS THOU KILLEDST THE EGYPTIAN? if this was Dathan, or however the same Hebrew that he had defended and rescued from the Egyptian, it was very ungenerous in him to upbraid him with it; or if that Hebrew had made him his confident, and acquainted him with that affair, as it was unfaithful to betray it, since it was in favour of one of his own people, it was ungrateful to reproach him with it: AND MOSES FEARED; lest the thing should be discovered and...

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

WHO MADE THEE... ? Figure of speech _Erotesis_ (App-6) for emphasis. Spoken by. Hebrew; compare Genesis 37:8; Luke 19:14. A PRINCE. Hebrew, "a man ('ish),. prince". FEARED. The "not fearing, "in Hebrews 11:27 refers to Exodus 10:28; Exodus 10:29....

AND HE SAID, &C.— See Acts 7:25. A Jesuit, (Berruyer) who has written the history of the people of God, thinks it highly probable, that these two quarrelsome Hebrews were _Jannes_ and _Jambres,_ mentioned by the Apostle, 2 Timothy 3:8 as having withstood Moses, because they would not acknowledge him to have been a proper judge of their quarrel; though God had designed him the judge of all his people. When it is said, that _Moses feared,_ this no way contradicts what is said, Hebrews 11:27 _by faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king:_ for this refers wholly to his conducting the people from Egypt, and his contempt of Pharaoh and all his hosts....