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The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 13:22
He took not away. The last distinct mention of the cloud is in Numbers 16:42, after the destruction of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. There is perhaps a later allusion to it in Numbers 20:6. In Nehemiah it is said that "the…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 14:1-9
Pharaoh would think that all Israel was entangled in the wilderness, and so would become an easy prey. But God says, I will be honoured upon Pharaoh. All men being made for the honour of their Maker, those whom he is no…
The Israelites Pursued by Pharaoh. (b. c. 1491.)
THE ISRAELITES PURSUED BY PHARAOH. (B. C. 1491.) We have here, I. Instructions given to Moses concerning Israel's motions and encampments, which were so very surprising that if Moses had not express orders about them be…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 14:10-14
There was no way open to Israel but upward, and thence their deliverance came. We may be in the way of duty, following God, and hastening toward heaven, yet may be troubled on every side. Some cried out unto the Lord; t…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 14:10-14
We have here, I. The fright that the children of Israel were in when they perceived that Pharaoh pursued them, Exodus 14:10. They knew very well the strength and rage of the enemy, and their own weakness; numerous indee…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 14:15-20
Moses' silent prayers of faith prevailed more with God than Israel's loud outcries of fear. The pillar of cloud and fire came behind them, where they needed a guard, and it was a wall between them and their enemies. The…
The Pillar of Cloud. (b. c. 1491.)
THE PILLAR OF CLOUD. (B. C. 1491.) We have here, I. Direction given to Israel's leader. 1. What he must do himself. He must, for the present, leave off praying, and apply himself to his business (Exodus 14:15): Wherefor…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 14:21-31
The dividing the Red sea was the terror of the Canaanites, Jos 2:9; the praise and triumph of the Israelites, Ps 114:3; 106:9; 136:13. It was a type of baptism, 1Co 10:1, 2. Israel's passage through it was typical of th…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 14:21-31
We have here the history of that work of wonder which is so often mentioned both in the Old and New Testament, the dividing of the Red Sea before the children of Israel. It was the terror of the Canaanites (Joshua 2:9-1…
Matthew Henry on Exodus 15:1-21
This song is the most ancient we know of. It is a holy song, to the honour of God, to exalt his name, and celebrate his praise, and his only, not in the least to magnify any man. Holiness to the Lord is in every part of…
Triumphant Song of the Israelites. (b. c. 1491.)
TRIUMPHANT SONG OF THE ISRAELITES. (B. C. 1491.) Having read how that complete victory of Israel over the Egyptians was obtained, here we are told how it was celebrated; those that were to hold their peace while the del…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 15:1
Then sang Moses and the children of Israel. It is in accordance with the general modesty of Moses, that he says nothing of the composition of the "song." No serious doubt of his authorship has ever been entertained; but…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 15:1-21
EXPOSITION THE SONG OF MOSES. Full of gratitude, joy, and happiness—burning with a desire to vent in devotional utterance of the most fitting kind, his intense and almost ecstatic feelings, Moses, who to his other extra…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 15:1-19
Moses' Song. The sublimity of this noble ode is universally admitted. It brings Moses before us in the new character of "poet." Moses does not seem to have devoted himself largely to this species of composition; but the…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 15:1-19
The song of triumph-God exalted in the lips of the people. This song we may take as being in some measure the result and expression of the state of feeling mentioned in Exodus 14:31. People who feared Jehovah and believ…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 15:1-19
The song of triumph. The sense of Israel's obligation to Jehovah fully expressed. God, we have noticed, is lifted up in this song. We now proceed to observe how he is lifted up in the midst of his people, whom he encomp…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 15:1-21
Song of Moses and the Lamb. "And they sing the song of Moses," etc. (Revelation 15:3). It is quite impossible to sever in thought the song by the sea, and the reference in the Book of the Revelation. We therefore take f…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 15:1-21
One of the first songs in the Bible—the first Jewish song—we may almost call it the tap-root whence springs the main stem of Jewish psalmody. The art of poetry and instruments of music were no doubt brought from Egypt;…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 15:1-18
The song of Moses a pattern thanksgiving. There is nothing in the whole range of sacred or profane literature more fresh, more vigorous, more teeming with devotional thought than this wonderful poem. In rhythm it is gra…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 15:2
The Lord is my strength and song. Literally, "My strength and song is Jah." The name Jah had not previously been used. It is commonly regarded as an abbreviated form of Jehovah, and was the form generally used in the te…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 15:3
A man of war. A strong anthropomorphism, but one that could scarcely be misunderstood—"a man of war," meaning commonly "a warrior," or "one mighty in battle" (Psalms 24:8). God's might had just been proved, in that he a…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 15:3-21
The results of deliverance to God's people. I. THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE MARVELLOUSNESS OF GOD'S POWER (3-12). 1. The might of Egypt, when measured with the strength of God, was utter vanity (4, 5). The Lord's right hand had…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 15:4
Pharaoh's chariots and his host. The "host" of this passage is not the "army" of Exodus 14:9, though in the original the same word is used, but the whole multitude of those who rode in the chariots, and were drowned in…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 15:5
The depths have covered them. Rather "covered them." Into the bottom. Literally, "into the abyss." Like a stone. The warriors who fought in chariots commonly wore coats of mail, composed of bronze plates sewn on to a li…