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The Pulpit Commentary
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 5:19
The officers … did see that they were in evil case. See the "Introductory paragraph" to this section, and comp. Exodus 5:21. HOMILETICS
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 5:19-21
Thoughtless smiters of a brother in adversity. This whole chapter particularly abounds in illustrations of human ignorance and error. We have seen in what dense darkness was the mind of Pharaoh; and under what utter mis…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 5:20-21
EXPOSITION Exodus 5:20, Exodus 5:21 On quitting the presence of Pharaoh, the officers of the Israelites, burning with the sense of the injustice done them, and deeply apprehensive with respect to their own future, found…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 5:20
Who stood in the way. Rather, "who waited to meet them." It was not accident, but design, that had brought the two brothers to the spot. They were as anxious as the officers to know what course Pharaoh would take—whethe…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 5:20-23
Murmuring and faith. The Israelites were naturally sorely disappointed at the issue of the interview with Pharaoh; and with the unreasonableness so often seen in those whose expectations have received a check, they turn…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 5:21
They said unto them. The officers were too full of their wrongs to wait until questioned. They took the word, and, without relating the result of their interview, implied it. The Lord look upon you, and judge, they said…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 5:21
The servants of God liable to reproach from friends no less than enemies, Moses and Aaron had borne the reproaches and scoffs of Pharaoh (Exodus 5:4-8) without flinching. It was natural that an enemy should revile them.…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 5:22-23
EXPOSITION Exodus 5:22, Exodus 5:23 The two brothers made no reply to the words of the officers. Perhaps their hearts were too full for speech; perhaps they knew not what to say. Whatever faith they had, it did no doubt…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 5:22
Moses returned unto the Lord. We are not to understand that Moses had forsaken God and now "returned" to him but simply that in his trouble he had recourse to God, took his sorrow to the Throne of Grace, and poured it o…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 5:23
He hath done evil to this people. See above, Exodus 5:7-9, and Exodus 5:14. Pharaoh had increased the burdens of the whole nation, and in this way "done evil" to them. He had also brought the punishment of scourging on…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 7:1
I have made thee a god to Pharaoh. Moses was diffident of appearing a second time before Pharaoh, who was so much his worldly superior. God reminds him that he is in truth very much Pharaoh's superior. If Pharaoh has ea…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 7:1-9
EXPOSITION
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 7:1-9
Once more God made allowance for the weakness and self-distrust of Moses, severely tried as he had been by his former failure to persuade Pharaoh (Exodus 5:1-5) and his recent rejection by the people of Israel (Exodus 6…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 7:1-8
A god to Pharaoh. Moses was in the trying position of being sent out anew upon a mission in which hitherto he had not had the slightest particle of success. His discouragement was natural. Pharaoh, on a previous occasio…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 7:2
Thou shalt speak. The Septuagint and the Vulgate have, "Thou shalt speak to him," which undoubtedly gives the true sense. Moses was to speak to Aaron, Aaron to Pharaoh. (See Exodus 4:15, Exodus 4:16.)
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 7:3-5
The fierceness of man turns to God's praise. The most signal triumphs of Divine power are those in which the resistance to it is the most determined. The greatest of all victories was probably that which was gained when…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 7:3
I will harden Pharaoh's heart. See the comment on Exodus 4:21. And multiply my signs and my wonders. The idea of a long series of miracles is here, for the first time, distinctly introduced. Three signs had been given (…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 7:3
Heart-hardening. On this subject, see above, and on Exodus 4:21. The present seems an appropriate place for a somewhat fuller treatment. I. HARDENING AS PROCEEDING FROM GOD. "I will harden Pharaoh's heart." This, assure…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 7:4
That I may lay my hand on Egypt. Pharaoh's obstinacy was foreseen and foreknown. He was allowed to set his will against God's, in order that there might be a great display of Almighty power, such as would attract the at…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 7:5
The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord. Rather, "that I am Jehovah"—i.e. that I answer to my Name—that I am the only God who is truly existent, other so-called gods being nonentities. They will know this and feel t…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 7:6
Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded them. This statement is general, and anticipative of the entire series of interviews beginning here (Exodus 7:10), and terminating (Exodus 10:29) with the words, "I will see thy…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 7:7
Fourscore years old. This age is confirmed by the statement (in Deuteronomy 31:2; Deuteronomy 34:7) that Moses was a hundred and twenty at his death. It is also accepted as exact by St. Stephen (Acts 7:23, Acts 7:30). M…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 7:8-14
The rod turned into a serpent. On this sign, notice— I. ITS SIGNIFICANCE. 1. Its distinctness from the similar sign wrought for the conviction of the Israelites. On the meaning of the latter, see Exodus 4:1-6. There the…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 7:8-13
The credentials of God's ambassadors to the froward. I. THE DEMANDS OF GOD, THOUGH REJECTED, CANNOT BE BANISHED. The rod which Pharaoh refuses to be shepherded by, cast down before him, springs into life. To those who r…