Matthew Henry on Exodus 23:20-33

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

It is here promised that they should be guided and kept in their way through the wilderness to the land of promise, Behold, I send an angel before thee, mine angel. The precept joined with this promise is, that they be obedient to this angel whom God would send before them.

Christ is the Angel of Jehovah; this is plainly taught by St. Paul, 1Co 10:9. They should have a comfortable settlement in the land of Canaan. How reasonable are the conditions of this promise; that they should serve the only true God; not the gods of the nations, which are no gods at all.

How rich are the particulars of this promise! The comfort of their food, the continuance of their health, the increase of their wealth, the prolonging their lives to old age. Thus hath godliness the promise of the life that now is.

It is promised that they should subdue their enemies. Hosts of hornets made way for the hosts of Israel; such mean creatures can God use for chastising his people's enemies. In real kindness to the church, its enemies are subdued by little and little; thus we are kept on our guard, and in continual dependence on God.

Corruptions are driven out of the hearts of God's people, not all at once, but by little and little. The precept with this promise is, that they should not make friendship with idolaters. Those that would keep from bad courses, must keep from bad company.

It is dangerous to live in a bad neighbourhood; others' sins will be our snares. Our greatest danger is from those who would make us sin against God.

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commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 23:1-33THE BOOK OF THE COVENANT.—Continued. EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 23:10-20Sabbaths and feasts. I. SABBATHS. 1. The Sabbatic year (Exodus 23:10, Exodus 23:11). Every seventh year the land was to lie fallow, and what it spontaneously produced was to be a provision for the poor, and for the beas…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryPrecepts and Promises. (b. c. 1491.)PRECEPTS AND PROMISES. (B. C. 1491.) Three gracious promises are here made to Israel, to engage them to their duty and encourage them in it; and each of the promises has some needful precepts and cautions joined to it.…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 23:20-31EXPOSITION THE REWARDS OF OBEDIENCE. God always places before men" the recompense of the reward." He does not require of them that they should serve him for nought. The "Book of the Covenant" appropriately ends with a n…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 23:20Behold, I send a messenger before thee. Jewish commentators regard the messenger as Moses, who, no doubt, was a specially commissioned ambassador for God, and who might, therefore, well be termed God's messenger. But th…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 23:20-33The Mediatorial Guide. "Behold I send an angel before thee," etc. (Exodus 23:20). [We omit from homiletic treatment Ex 20:22-23:19, containing a large amount of minute legislation; but if any one for special reason wish…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 23:20-31God's promises sometimes absolute, but for the most part contingent on obedience. "Behold, I send an angel before thee." Here was a positive promise. An angel, a guide, a protector, would go before them throughout their…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 23:20Mine angel shall go before thee. A prepared people have to be led into a prepared place (Exodus 23:20). To lead them a guide is necessary, and God provides a guide. I. THE GUIDE AND HIS OFFICE. 1. His nature and charact…Joseph S. Exell and contributors