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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…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 6:1-9
We are most likely to prosper in attempts to glorify God, and to be useful to men, when we learn by experience that we can do nothing of ourselves; when our whole dependence is placed on him, and our only expectation is…
The Promise of Deliverance. (b. c. 1491.)
THE PROMISE OF DELIVERANCE. (B. C. 1491.) Here, I. God silences Moses's complaints with the assurance of success in this negotiation, repeating the promise made him in Exodus 3:20, After that, he will let you go. When M…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 6:10-13
The faith of Moses was so feeble that he could scarcely be kept to his work. Ready obedience is always according to the strength of our faith. Though our weaknesses ought to humble us, yet they ought not to discourage u…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 6:10-13
Here, I. God sends Moses the second time to Pharaoh (Exodus 6:11) upon the same errand as before, to command him, at his peril, that he let the children of Israel go. Note, God repeats his precepts before he begins his…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 6:14-30
Moses and Aaron were Israelites; raised up unto them of their brethren, as Christ also should be, who was to be the Prophet and Priest, the Redeemer and Lawgiver of the people of Israel. Moses returns to his narrative,…
Genealogies of Reuben, Simeon, and Levi. (b. c. 1491.)
GENEALOGIES OF REUBEN, SIMEON, AND LEVI. (B. C. 1491.) I. We have here a genealogy, not an endless one, such as the apostle condemns (1 Timothy 1:4), for it ends in those two great patriots Moses and Aaron, and comes in…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 7:1-7
God glorifies himself. He makes people know that he is Jehovah. Israel is made to know it by the performance of his promises to them, and the Egyptians by the pouring out of his wrath upon them. Moses, as the ambassador…
Moses Receives a Fresh Commission. (b. c. 1491.)
MOSES RECEIVES A FRESH COMMISSION. (B. C. 1491.) Here, I. God encourages Moses to go to Pharaoh, and at last silences all his discouragements. 1. He clothes him with great power and authority (Exodus 7:1): I have made t…
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 7:1-9
EXPOSITION
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 7:1-8
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…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 7:8-13
What men dislike, because it opposes their pride and lusts, they will not be convinced of; but it is easy to cause them to believe things they wish to be true. God always sends with his word full proofs of its Divine au…
Magicians of Egypt. (b. c. 1491.)
MAGICIANS OF EGYPT. (B. C. 1491.) The first time that Moses made his application to Pharaoh, he produced his instructions only; now he is directed to produce his credentials, and does accordingly. 1. It is taken for gra…
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…