The Pulpit Commentary on Nehemiah 9:9-11

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Redemption from Egypt.

The people proceed to celebrate the power and goodness of God as displayed in the deliverance of their ancestors from Egyptian bondage.

I. THE CONDITION FROM WHICH THEY WERE DELIVERED. It was one of—

1. Cruel oppression. "They dealt proudly," insolently and cruelly, "against them."

2. Misery. "The affliction of our fathers."

II. THE SUCCESSIVE STEPS OF THEIR DELIVERANCE.

1. The Divine notice of their condition. "Didst see," etc; "thou knewest," etc. God seemed to have forgotten them, but he had not. His eye was on them; their condition interested him; and at length, in the fulness of time, he interposed to rescue them.

2. The plagues inflicted on the ruler and people of Egypt.

3. The wonders wrought at the Red Sea. In utmost apparent peril, the people and Moses cried unto God; he heard "their cry" (Nehemiah 9:9), divided the waters, led the Israelites safely through, and overwhelmed their "pursuers."

III. ONE GREAT RESULT OF THEIR DELIVERANCE. "So didst thou get thee a name," etc. (comp. Exodus 9:16). Jehovah secured for himself a name for power, terribleness, special favour to Israel; a name widespread, lasting ("as it is this day," and still in our day); a name to be revered, trusted, loved, rejoiced in, praised, published. The Jews never wearied of proclaiming in their Psalms the name of him who redeemed them from Egypt so marvellously; and, in recalling this great redemption to mind, renewed from time to time their confidence that God who had done so much for them would not forsake them. Notice—

1. The importance of these events for the Israelites. Not only for their immediate effects; but they gave the nation birth, separated them from the spiritual perils of Egypt, its idolatry, etc. Their passage through the Red Sea was their national baptism unto Moses, and unto God by him (1 Corinthians 10:2), consecrating them to be the people of God, to learn and practise his laws, maintain his worship, preserve the knowledge of him for the benefit ultimately of the world.

2. Their significance for us.

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