Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 1.djvu/311

Rh their justice and charity, and even their repentance, are repented of. See an instance somewhat like this, Jer. 34. 10, 11.

2. He resolves, if possible, either to reduce them, or to be avenged on them; in order to that, he levies an army, musters all his force of chariots and horsemen, v. 17, 18. (for, it should seem, he took no foot with him, because the king's business required haste,) and thus he doubts not but he shall re-enslave them, v. 6, 7. It is easy to imagine what a rage Pharaoh was now in, roaring like a lion disappointed of his prey; how his proud heart aggravated the affront, swelled with indignation, scorned to be baffled, longed to be avenged: and now, all the plagues are as if they had never been, he has quite forgotten the sorrowful funerals of his first-born, he can think of nothing but making Israel feel his resentments; now he thinks he can be too hard for God himself; for, otherwise, could he have hoped to conquer a people so dear to him? God gave him up to these passions of his own heart, and so hardened it. It is said, (v. 8.) The children of Israel went out with a high hand, that is, with a great deal of courage and bravery, triumphing in the enlargement, and resolved to break through the difficulties that lay in their way. But the Egyptians (v. 9.) pursued after them. Note, Those that in good earnest set their faces heaven-ward, and will live godly in Christ Jesus, must expect to be set upon by Satan's temptations and terrors. He will not tamely part with any out of his service, nor go out without raging, Mark 9. 26.

{{larger|10. And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lift up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the {{sc|Lord}}. 11. And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? 12. Is not this the word that we did tell, thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? for it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. 13. And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the {{sc|Lord}}, which, he will show to you to-day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to-day, ye shall see them again no more for ever: 14. The {{sc|Lord}} shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

We have here,

I. The fright that the children of Israel were in, when they perceived that Pharaoh pursued them, v. 10. They knew very well the strength and rage of the enemy, and their own weakness; numerous indeed they were, but all foot, unarmed, undisciplined, disquieted by long servitude; and (which was worst of all) now penned up by the situation of their camp, so that they could not make their escape. On one hand was Pi-hahiroth, a range of craggy rocks impassable; on the other hand were Migdol and Baal-zephon, which, some think, were forts and garrisons upon the frontiers of Egypt; before them was the sea, behind them were the Egyptians, so that there was no way open for them but upward, and thence their deliverance came. Note, We may be in the way of our duty, following God, and hastening toward heaven, and yet may be in great straits, troubled on every side, 2 Cor. 4. 8.

In this distress, no marvel that they were sore afraid, their father Jacob was so in a like case; (Gen. 32. 7.) when without are fightings, it cannot be otherwise, but that within are fears: what therefore was the fruit of this fear? According as that was, the fear was good or evil.

1. Some of them cried out unto the Lord; their fear set them a praying, and that was a good effect of it. God brings us into straits, that he may bring us to our knees.

2. Others of them cried out against Moses; their fear set them a murmuring, v. 11, 12. They give up themselves for lost, and as if God's arm were shortened all of a sudden, and he were not as able to work miracles to-day as he was yesterday, they despair of deliverance, and can count upon nothing but dying in the wilderness. How inexcusable was their distrust! Did they not see themselves under the guidance and protection of a pillar from heaven? And can almighty power fail them, or infinite goodness be false to them? Yet this was not the worst; they quarrel with Moses for bringing them out of Egypt, and, in quarrelling with him, fly in the face of God himself, and provoke him to wrath, whose favour was now the only succour they had to flee to. As the Egyptians were angry with themselves for the best deed they ever did, so the Israelites were angry with God for the greatest kindness that was ever done them; so gross are the absurdities of unbelief. They here express, (1.) A sordid contempt of liberty, preferring servitude before it, only because it was attended with some difficulties. A generous spirit would have said, "If the worst come to the worst," (as we say,) "it is better to die in the field of honour, than to live in the chains of slavery;" nay, under God's conduct, they could not miscarry, and therefore they might say, "Better live God's freemen in the open air of a wilderness, than the Egyptians' bondmen in the smoke of the brick-kilns." But because, for the present, they are a little embarrassed, they are angry that they were not left buried alive in their house of bondage. (2.) Base ingratitude to Moses, who had been the faithful instrument of their deliverance; they condemn him, as if he had dealt hardly and unkindly with them, whereas it was evident, beyond dispute, that whatever he did, and however it issued, it was by direction from their God, and with design for their good. What they had said in a former ferment, (when they hearkened not to Moses for anguish of spirit,) they repeat and justify in this; We said in Egypt, Let us alone; and it was ill-said, yet more excusable, because then they had not had so much experience as they had now of God's wonderful appearances in their favour. But they had as soon forgotten the miracles of mercy, as the Egyptians had forgotten the miracles of wrath; and they, as well as the Egyptians, hardened their hearts, at last, to their own ruin; as Egypt, after ten plagues, so Israel, after ten provocations, of which this was the first, (Numb. 14. 22.) was sentenced to die in the wilderness.

II. The seasonable encouragement that Moses gave them in this distress, v. 13, 14. He answered not these fools according to their folly. God bore with the provocation they gave to him, and did not (as he might justly have done) choose their delusions, and bring their fears upon them; and therefore Moses might well afford to pass by the affront they put upon him: instead of chiding them, he comforts them, and with an admirable presence and composure of mind, not disheartened either by the threatenings of Egypt, or the tremblings of Israel,