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27,299 commentary entries
The Pulpit Commentary
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 4:29
On the elders of Israel, see note upon Exodus 3:16. It is clear that the Israelitish nation, though in bondage to the Egyptians, had a certain internal organisation of its own, and possessed a set of native officers. Th…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 4:29-31
Moses seems to have parted with Zipporah and his children in Horeb, and to have sent them back to Jethro (Exodus 18:2), perhaps because they might have interfered with the work which he had to do, perhaps because he tho…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 4:29-31
The blessing on obedience. Moses and Aaron, on their return to Egypt in company, carried out exactly the Divine directions, doing neither less nor more. They summoned the elders as commanded (Exodus 3:16); they delivere…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 4:29-31
Preaching and faith. I. THE WORD SPOKEN. 1. Should be the Word of God. The preacher is not set to deliver his own speculations, but to convey a message. 2. Should be exhibited with its appropriate evidence. 3. Should be…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 4:30
Aaron spake. Aaron at once entered on his office of "spokesman" (Exodus 4:16), declaring to the elders all God's dealings with his brother. Aaron also, and not Moses, us we should have expected (Exodus 4:17), did the si…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 4:31
The people believed. This ready faith stands in strong contrast with the ordinary incredulous temper of the Israelitish people, who were "a faithless and stubborn generation"—a generation that "believed not in God, and…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 4:31
Worship the proper outcome of thankfulness. Israel, down-trodden, oppressed, crushed beneath an intolerable tyranny, no sooner hears the promise of deliverance, than it displays its gratitude by "bowing the head and wor…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 5:1-4
A first interview. Accompanied by Aaron, Moses passes again through the hails of the Pharaohs from which he has been so long a stranger. Kings, courtiers, and people are different; but all else gates and pillars, courts…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 5:1-5
FIRST APPEAL OF MOSES TO PHARAOH, AND INCREASE OF THE OPPRESSION. EXPOSITION
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 5:1-5
Having secured the adhesion of the Israelitish people, Moses and Aaron sought an interview with the Egyptian monarch who was now in possession of the throne. According to the bulk of modern authorities, and according to…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 5:1
And afterward. The interposition of some not inconsiderable space of time seems to be implied. Menephthah resided partly at Memphis, partly at Zoan (Tanis). Moses and Aaron may have had to wait until he returned from hi…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 5:1-21
Failure. "I know not Jehovah," etc.: Exodus 5:2. We now come face to face with the king. As the king here becomes very prominent, we will keep him conspicuous in the outlining of this address. I. AUDIENCE WITH THE KING.…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 5:1-23
The people of Jehovah detained and oppressed by the representative of the prince of this world; no doubt as to the strength of the latter—is it possible for his spoils to be wrested from him? The strong man armed has th…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 5:1-5
God's demand and Pharaoh's answer. I. THE DEMAND. 1. Its modesty. They merely ask liberty to depart on a three days' journey into the wilderness. 2. It was asked in good faith; it was not a cover for escape. God would g…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 5:1-5
God's will often opposed by the great of the earth, and his servants rebuffed. Encouraged by their success with the elders and with the people (Exodus 4:29-31), Moses and Aaron would stop boldly into the presence of Pha…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 5:2
And Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord? Rather, "Who is Jehovah?" Either Pharaoh is actually ignorant, or he pretends to be. The former is possible, since Jehovah was a name but little employed, until the return of Moses to…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 5:2
Pharaoh's first response: his answer in word. Moses and Aaron, somehow or other, have found their way into Pharaoh's presence. All things, so far, have happened as God said they would happen. The very brevity and compac…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 5:3
And they said. Moses and Aaron are not abashed by a single refusal. They expostulate, and urge fresh reasons why Pharaoh should accede to their request. But first they explain that Jehovah is the God of the Hebrews, by…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 5:4-18
Pharaoh's first response: his answer in deed. Pharaoh has given a proud verbal refusal to the request of Moses: but he is not contented to stop with words. The first result, discouraging and discrediting of Moses' appli…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 5:4
The king makes no direct reply to this appeal, but turns upon his petitioners, and charges them with an offence against the crown. Why do they, Moses and Aaron, by summoning the people to meet together, and exciting the…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 5:4-10
Increased cruelty. View Pharaoh's conduct as illustrative— I. OF THE VIEW WHICH A WORLDLY MAN TAXES OF RELIGION. "Ye are idle" (Exodus 5:8). This way of putting the matter was partly a pretext—a tyrant's excuse for addi…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 5:5
The people are many. This is added as an aggravation of the offence charged in the last verse. The people are numerous. Therefore the greater damage is done to the crown by putting a stop to their labours. With these wo…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 5:6-9
Rulers are not always content simply to refuse inconvenient demands. Sometimes they set to work with much ingenuity and worldly wisdom to prevent their repetition. This is especially the case where they entertain a fear…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 5:6-9
EXPOSITION