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The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 2:15
Sitting by the well: a suggestive comparison.The very expression, "He sat down by a well," inevitably suggests that conversation beside the well at Sychar, in which Jesus took so important a part. Note the following poi…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 2:15-23
The long exile.Moses took with him into Midian all the best elements of his character; he left some of the faulty ones behind. He may be assumed to have left much of his self-confidence, and to have been cured in part o…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 2:16-22
Moses found shelter in Midian. He was ready to help Reuel's daughters to water their flocks, although bred in learning and at court. Moses loved to be doing justice, and to act in defence of such as he saw injured, whic…
The Marriage of Moses. (b. c. 1533.)
THE MARRIAGE OF MOSES. (B. C. 1533.) Moses here gains a settlement in Midian, just as his father Jacob had gained one in Syria, Genesis 29:2, &c. And both these instances should encourage us to trust Providence, and to…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 2:16-22
LIFE OF MOSES IN MIDIAN Fugitives from Egypt generally took the northern route from Pelusium or Migdol to Gaza, and so to Syria, or the regions beyond. But in this quarter they were liable to be arrested and sent back t…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 2:16-22
EXPOSITION.
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 2:17
The shepherds came and drove them away. There is not much "natural politeness" among primitive peoples. The right of the stronger prevails, and women go to the wall. Even the daughters of their priest were not respected…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 2:18
Reuel their father. Reuel is called "Raguel" in Numbers 10:29, but the Hebrew spelling is the same in both places. The word means "friend of God," and implies monotheisim. Compare Exodus 18:9-12.
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 2:19
An Egyptian. Reuel's daughters judged by the outward appearance. Moses wore the garb and probably spoke the language of Egypt. He had had no occasion to reveal to them his real nationality. Drew water enough for us. The…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 2:20
Where is he? Reuel reproaches his daughters with a want of politeness — even of gratitude. Why have they "left the man"? Why have they not invited him in? They must themselves remedy the omission — they must go and "cal…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 2:21
Moses was content to dwell with the man. Moses had fled from Egypt without any definite plan, simply to save his life, and had now to determine how he would obtain a subsistence. Received into Reuel's house, or tent, pl…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 2:21-22
§ 2. Moses as husband and father. The Midianites were descendants of Abraham (Genesis 25:24); and marriage with them was permitted, even under the Law (Numbers 31:18). Moses, in wedding Zipporah, obeyed the primeval com…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 2:22
Life and its moods."He called his name Gershom," etc. (Exodus 2:22), compared with — "And the name of the other was Eliezer," etc. (Exodus 18:4). Note the isolation and misery of the earlier time, and the mercy of the l…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 2:22
Gershom.1. The good man in this world is often lonely at heart.(1) When violence reigns unchecked. (2) When God's cause is in a depressed condition. (3) When repulsed in efforts to do good. (4) When severed from scenes…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 2:23-25
The Israelites' bondage in Egypt continued, though the murdering of their infants did not continue. Sometimes the Lord suffers the rod of the wicked to lie very long and very heavy on the lot of the righteous. At last t…
Cry of the Oppressed Israelites. (b. c. 1491.)
CRY OF THE OPPRESSED ISRAELITES. (B. C. 1491.) Here is, 1. The continuance of the Israelites' bondage in Egypt, Exodus 2:23. Probably the murdering of their infants did not continue; this part of their affliction attend…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 2:23-25
EXPOSITION.
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 2:23-25
As in streams the water is attracted to and swirls round various centres, so here the interest of the narrative circles about three facts. We have — I. THE KING'S DEATH. Who the king was may be uncertain. [Some say Aahm…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 2:23-25
DEATH OF THE PHARAOH FROM WHOM MOSES FLED — CONTINUANCE OF THE OPPRESSION OF ISRAEL-ISRAEL'S PRAYERS — GOD'S ACCEPTANCE OF THEM. — After a space of forty years from the time of Moses' flight from Egypt, according to the…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 2:23
In process of time. Literally, "in those many days." The reign of Rameses II. was exceptionally long, as previously explained. He had already reigned twenty-seven years when Moses fled from him (Exodus 2:15). He had now…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 2:23
Death comes at last, even to the proudest monarch.Rameses II. left behind him the reputation of being the greatest of the Egyptian kings. He was confounded with the mythical Sesostris, and regarded as the conqueror of a…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 2:24-25
God heard their groaning. God is said to "hear" the prayers which he accepts and grants; to "be deaf" to those which he does not grant, but rejects. He now "heard" (i.e. accepted) the supplications of oppressed Israel;…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 3:1-6
The years of the life of Moses are divided into three forties; the first forty he spent as a prince in Pharaoh's court, the second as a shepherd in Midian, the third as a king in Jeshurun. How changeable is the life of…
The Burning Bush. (b. c. 1491.)
THE BURNING BUSH. (B. C. 1491.) The years of the life of Moses are remarkably divided into three forties: the first forty he spent as a prince in Pharaoh's court, the second a shepherd in Midian, the third a king in Jes…