Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 1.djvu/304

272 be praised, our faith in him encouraged, and our hearts enlarged in his service.

Secondly, It was designed to look forward as an earnest of the great sacrifice of the Lamb of God in the fulness of time, instead of us and our first-born; we were obnoxious to the sword of the destroying angel, but Christ our Passover was sacrificed for us, his death was our life, and thus he was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, from the foundation of the Jewish church: Moses kept the passover by faith in Christ, for Christ was the end of the law for righteousness.

The people received these instructions with reverence and ready obedience. 1. They bowed the head and worshipped; (v. 27.) they hereby signified their submission to this institution as a law, and their thankfulness for it as a favour and privilege. Note, When God gives law to us, we must give honour to him; when he speaks, we must bow our heads and worship. 2. They went away and did as they were commanded, v. 23. Here was none of that discontent and murmuring among them which we read of, ch. 5. 20, 21. The plagues of Egypt had done them good, and raised their expectations of a glorious deliverance, which before they despaired of; and now they went forth to meet it in the way appointed. Note, The perfecting of God's mercies to us must be waited for in a humble observance of his institutions.

29. And it came to pass, that at midnight, the smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of Pharaoh that sat on his throne, unto the first-born of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the first-born of cattle. 30. And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. 31. And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both you and the children of Israel; and go, serve the, as ye have said. 32. Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. 33. And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men. 34. And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading-troughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. 35. And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: 36. And the gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required: and they spoiled the Egyptians.

Here is,

I. The Egyptians' sons, even their first-born, slain, v. 29, 30. If Pharaoh would have taken the warning which was given him of this plague, and would thereupon have released Israel, what a great many dear and valuable lives might have been preserved! But see what obstinate infidelity brings upon men. Observe, 1. The time when, this blow was given; it was at midnight, which added to the terror of it: the three preceding nights were made dreadful by the additional plague of darkness, which might be felt, and doubtless disturbed their repose; and now, when they hoped for one quiet night's rest, at midnight was the alarm given: when the destroying angel drew his sword against Jerusalem, it was in the day-time, (2 Sam. 24. 15.) which made it the less frightful; but the destruction of Egypt was by a pestilence walking in darkness, Ps. 91. 6. Shortly there will be an alarming cry at midnight, Behold, the bridegroom cometh. 2. On whom the plague fastened; on their first-born, the joys and hopes of their respective families. They had slain the Hebrews' children, and now God slew their's. Thus he visits the iniquity of the fathers upon the children; and he is not unrighteous who taketh vengeance. 3. How far it reached; from the throne to the dungeon: prince and peasant stand upon the same level before God's judgments, for -there is no respect of persons with him; see Job 34. 19, 20. Now the slain of the Lord were many; multitudes, multitudes fall in this valley of decision, when the controversy between God and Pharaoh was to be determined. 4. What an outcry was made upon it; there was a great cry in Egypt, universal lamentation for their only sons, (with ' many, ) and with all for their first-born. If any be suddenly taken ill in the night, we are wont to call up neighbours; but the Egyptians could have no help, no comfort, from their neighbours, all being involved in the same calamity. Let us learn hence, (1.) To tremble before God, and to be afraid of his judgments; Ps. 119. 120. Who is able to stand be- fore him, or dares resist him? (2.) To be thankful to God for the daily preservation of ourselves and our families; lying so much exposed, we have reason to say, "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed."

II. God's sons, even his first-born, released; this judgment conquered Pharaoh, and obliged him to surrender at discretion, without capitulating. Men had better come up to God's terms at first, for he will never come down to their's, let them object as long as they will. Now Pharaoh's pride is abased, and he yields to all that Moses had insisted on; Serve the Lord as ye have said, (v. 31.) and take your flocks as ye have said, v. 32. Note, God's word will stand, and we shall get nothing by disputing it, or delaying to submit to it. Hitherto the Israelites were not permitted to depart, but now things were come to the last extremity, in consequence of which, 1. They are commanded to depart; (v. 31.) Rise up, and get you forth. Pharaoh had told Moses he should see his face no more; but now he sent for him: those will seek God early in their distress who before had set him at defiance. Such a fright he was now in, that he gave orders by night for their discharge, fearing, lest, if he delayed any longer, he himself should fall next; and that he sent them out, not as men hated, (as the pagan historians have represented this matter,) but as men feared, is plainly discovered by his humble request to them; (v. 32.) Bless me also; Let me have your prayers, that I may not be plagued for what is passed, when you are gone." Note, Those that are enemies to God's church are enemies to themselves, and sooner or later they will be made to see it. 2. They are hired to depart by the Egyptians; they cried out, (v. 33.) We be all dead men. Note, When death comes into our houses, it is seasonable for us to think of our own mortality. Are our relations dead? It is easy to infer thence that we are dying, and, in effect, already dead, men. Upon this consideration, they were urgent with the Israelites to be gone, which gave great advantage to the