Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 1.djvu/295

Rh of his enemies, he speaks of the hail stones and coals of fire he threw among them, Ps. 18. 12, 13. And there is a plain reference to it, on the pouring out of the seventh vial, Rev. 16. 21. Notice is here taken, (v. 26.) of the land of Goshen's being preserved from receiving any damage by this plague. God has the directing of the pregnant clouds, and causes it to rain or hail on one city and not on another, either in mercy or in judgment.

II. What a consternation it put Pharaoh in; see what effect it had upon him; 1. He humbled himself to Moses in the language of a penitent, v. 27, 28. No man could have spoken better. He owns himself on the wrong side in his contest with the God of the Hebrews; "I have sinned in standing it out so long:" he owns the equity of God's proceedings against him; The Lord is righteous, and must be justified when he speaks, though he speaks in thunder and lightning: he condemns himself and his land; "I and my people are wicked, and deserve what is brought upon us:" he begs the prayers of Moses; "Entreat the Lord for me, that this direful plague may be removed." And, lastly, he promises to yield up his prisoners; I will let you go. What could one desire more? And yet his heart was hardened all this while. Note, The terror of the rod often extorts penitent acknowledgments from those who have no penitent affections; under the surprise and smart of affliction, they start up, and say that which is adapted and important; not because they are deeply affected, but because they know that they should be, and that it is meet to be said. 2. Moses hereupon becomes an intercessor for him with God. Though he had all the reason in the world to think that he would immediately repent of his repentance, and told him so, (v. 30.) yet he promises to be his friend in the court of Heaven. Note, Even those whom we had little hopes of, yet we should continue to pray for, and to admonish, 1 Sam. 12. 23. Observe, (1.) The place Moses chose for his intercession, he went out of the city, (v. 33.) not only for privacy in his communion with God, but to show that he durst venture abroad into the field, notwithstanding the hail and lightning which kept Pharaoh and his servants within doors; knowing that every hailstone had its direction from his God, who meant him no hurt. Note, Peace with God makes men thunder-proof, for it is the voice of their Father. (2.) The gesture; he spread abroad his hands unto the Lord; an outward expression of earnest desire and humble expectation: those that come to God for mercy, must stand ready to receive it. (3.) The end Moses aimed at in interceding for him, That thou mayest know, and be convinced, that the earth is the Lord's, (v. 29.) that is, that God has a sovereign dominion over all the creatures, that they all are ruled by him, and therefore that thou oughtest to be so. See what various methods God uses to bring men to their proper senses. Judgments are sent, and judgments removed, and all for the same end, to make men know that the Lord reigns. (4.) The success of it. [1.] He prevailed with God, v. 33. But, [2.] He could not prevail with Pharaoh; he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, v. 34, 35. The prayer of Moses opened and shut heaven, like Elias's, (Jam. 5. 17, 18.) and such is the power of God's two witnesses; (Rev. 11. 6.) yet neither Moses nor Elias, nor those two witnesses, could subdue the hard hearts of men. Pharaoh was frightened into a compliance by the tremendous judgment, but when it was over, his convictions vanished, and his fair promises were forgotten. Note, Little credit is to be given to confessions upon the rack. Nay, Those that are not bettered by judgments and mercies, are commonly made worse.

CHAP. X. The eighth and ninth of the plagues of Egypt, that of locusts, and that of darkness, are recorded in this chapter. I. Concerning the plague of locusts. 1. God instructs Moses in the meaning of these amazing dispensations of his providence, v. 1, 2. 2. He threatens the locusts, v. 3..6. 3. Pharaoh, at the persuasion of his servants, is willing to treat again with Moses; (v. 7..9.) but they cannot agree, v. 10, 11. 4. The locusts come, v. 12..15. 5. Pharaoh cries Peccavi—I have offended; (v. 16, 17.) whereupon Moses prays for the removal of the plague, and it is done; but Pharaoh's heart is still hardened, v. 18..20. II. Concerning the plague of darkness, 1. It is inflicted, v. 21..23. 2. Pharaoh again treats with Moses about a surrender, but the treaty breaks off in a heat, v. 24..29.

ND the said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might show these my signs before him: 2. And that thou mayest tell 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 among them; that ye may know how that I am the. 3. And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the 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 coast: 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 their God: Knowest 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 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 must hold a feast unto the. 10. And he said unto them, Let the 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 ; for that you did desire.