Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 1.djvu/305

Rh Israelites in borrowing their jewels, v. 35, 36. When the Egyptians urged them to be gone, it was easy for them to say that the Egyptians had kept them poor, that they could not undertake such a journey with empty purses, but that, if they would give them wherewithal to bear their charges, they would be gone. And this the Divine Wisdom designed, in suffering things to come to this extremity, that they, becoming formidable to the Egyptians, might have what they would for asking; the Lord also, by the influence he has on the minds of people, inclined the hearts of the Egyptians to furnish them with what they desired, they probably intending thereby to make atonement, that the plagues might be staid, as the Philistines, when they returned the ark, sent a present with it for a tresspass-offering, having an eye to this precedent, 1 Sam. 6. 3··6. The Israelites might receive and keep what they thus borrowed, or rather required, of the Egyptians, (1.) As justly as servants receive wages from their masters for work done, and sue for it, if it be detained. (2.) As justly as conquerors take the spoils of their enemies whom they have subdued; Pharaoh was in rebellion against the God of the Hebrews, by which all that he had was forfeited. (3.) As justly as subjects receive the estates granted them by their prince. God is the sovereign Proprietor of the earth, and the fulness thereof; and if he take from one, and give to another, who may say unto him, What doest thou? It was by God's special order and appointment that the Israelites did what they did, which was sufficient to justify them and bear them out; but what they did will by no means authorize others (who cannot pretend to any such warrant) to do the same. Let us remember, [1.] That the King of kings can do no wrong. [2.] That he will do right to those whom men injure, Ps. 146. 7. Hence it is that the wealth of the sinner often proves to be laid up for the just, Prov. 13. 22. Job 27. 16, 17.

37. And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, besides children. 38. And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks and herds, even very much cattle. 39. And they baked unleavened cakes of tbe dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual. 40. Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. 41. And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the self-same day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the went out from the land of Egypt. 42. It is a night to be much observed unto the for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the  to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.

Here is the departure of the children of Israel out of Egypt: having obtained their dismission, they set forward without delay, and did not defer till a more convenient season. Pharaoh was now in a good mind; but they had reason to think he would not long continue so, and therefore it was no time to linger. We have here an account,

1. Of their number, about six hundred thousand men, (v. 37.) beside women and children, which, I think, we cannot suppose to make less than twelve hundred thousand more. What a vast increase was this, to arise from seventy souls in little more than two hundred years' time! See the power and efficacy of that blessing, when God commands it, Be fruitful and multiply. This was typical of the multitudes that were brought into the gospel-church when it was first founded; so mightily grew the word of God, and prevailed.

2. Of their retinue; (v. 38.) a mixed multitude went up with them, hangers on to that great family: some, perhaps, willing to leave their country, because it was laid waste by the plagues, and to seek their fortune, as we say, with the Israelites; others went out of curiosity, to see the solemnities of Israel's sacrifice to their God, which had been so much talked of, and expecting to see some glorious appearances of their God to them in the wilderness, having seen such glorious appearances of their God for them in the field of Zoan, Ps. 78. 12. Probably the greatest part of this mixed multitude were but a rude unthinking mob, that followed the crowd they knew not why; we afterwards find that they proved a snare to them; (Numb. 11. 4.) and it is probable that when, soon afterward, they understood that the children of Israel were to continue forty years in the wilderness, they quitted them, and returned to Egypt again. There were always those among the Israelites that were not Israelites; and there are still hypocrites in the church, who make a deal of mischief, but will be shaken off at last.

3. Of their effects. They had with them flocks and herds, even very much cattle. This is taken notice of, because it was long before Pharaoh would give them leave to remove their effects, which were chiefly cattle, Gen. 46. 32.

4. Of the provisions made for the camp, which was very poor and slender. They brought some dough with them out of Egypt in their knapsacks, v. 34. They had prepared to bake the next day, in order to their removal, understanding it was very near; but, being hastened away sooner than they thought of by some hours, they took the dough as it was, unleavened, and when they came to Succoth, their first stage, they baked unleavened cakes, and though they were, of course, insipid, yet the liberty they were brought into made it the most joyful meal they had ever eaten in their lives. Note, The servants of God must not be slaves to their appetites, nor solicitous to wind up all the delights of sense to their highest pitch. We should be willing to take up with dry bread, nay, with unleavened bread, rather than neglect or delay any service we have to do for God, as those whose meat and drink it is to do his will.

5. Of the date of this great event; it was just four hundred and thirty years from the promise made to Abraham (as the apostle explains it, Gal. 3. 17.) at his first coming into Canaan, during all which time the children of Israel, that is, the Hebrews, the distinguished chosen seed, were sojourners in a land that was not their's, either Canaan or Egypt. So long the promise God made to Abraham of a settlement lay dormant and unfulfilled, but now at length it revived, and things began to work toward the accomplishment of it. The first day of the march of Abraham's seed toward Canaan was just four hundred and thirty years (it should seem to a day) from the promise made to Abraham, (Gen. 12. 2.) I will make of thee a great nation. See how punctual God is to his time: though his promises be not performed quickly, they will be accomplished in their season.

6. Of the memorableness of it; (v. 42.) It is a night to be much observed. (1.) The providences of that first night were very observable;