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Exodus 23:20-31

The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 23:20-31

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

EXPOSITION

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 number of promises, which God undertakes to perform, if Israel keeps the terms of the covenant. The promises are:—

1. That he will send an angel before them to be their guide, director, and helper ( - 23).

2. That he will be the enemy of their enemies (), striking terror into them miraculously (), and subjecting them to other scourges also ().

3. That he will drive out their enemies "by little and little" (), not ceasing until he has destroyed them ().

4. That he will give them the entire country between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean on the one hand, the Desert and the Euphrates on the other (). And

5. That he will bless their sustenance, avert sickness from them, cause them to multiply, and prolong their days upon earth (, ). At the same time, all these promises—except the first—are made conditional. If they will "beware" of the angel and "obey his voice," then he will drive their enemies out (, ): if they will serve Jehovah, and destroy the idols of the nations, then he will multiply them, and give them health and long life (), and "set their bounds from the Red Sea even unto the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river" (). So far as they fall short of their duties, is he entitled to fall short of his promises. A reciprocity is established. Unless they keep their engagements, he is not bound to keep his. Though the negative side is not entered upon, this is sufficiently clear. None of the promises, except the promise to send the angel, is absolute. Their realisation depends on a strict and hearty obedience.

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