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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Exodus, Chapter III].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1></center>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC02002.HTM">Previous</A>]
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[<A HREF="MHC02004.HTM">Next</A>]<BR>
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1706)
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</TD></TR></TABLE>
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>E X O D U S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. III.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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As prophecy had ceased for many ages before the coming of Christ, that
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the revival and perfection of it in that great prophet might be the
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more remarkable, so vision had ceased (for aught that appears) among
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the patriarchs for some ages before the coming of Moses, that God's
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appearances to him for Israel's salvation might be the more welcome;
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and in this chapter we have God's first appearance to him in the bush
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and the conference between God and Moses in that vision. Here is,
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I. The discovery God was pleased to make of his glory to Moses at the
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bush, to which Moses was forbidden to approach too near,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:1-5">ver. 1-5</A>.
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II. A general declaration of God's grace and good-will to his people,
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who were beloved for their fathers' sakes,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:6">ver. 6</A>.
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III. A particular notification of God's purpose concerning the
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deliverance of Israel out of Egypt.
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1. He assures Moses it should now be done,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:7-9">ver. 7-9</A>.
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2. He gives him a commission to act in it as his ambassador both to
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Pharaoh,
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:10">ver. 10</A>)
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and to Israel,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:16">ver. 16</A>.
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3. He answers the objection Moses made of his own unworthiness,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:11,12">ver. 11, 12</A>.
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4. He gives him full instructions what to say both to Pharaoh and to
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Israel,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:13-18">ver. 13-18</A>.
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5. He tells him beforehand what the issue would be,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:19-22">ver. 19</A>,
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&c.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Ex3_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex3_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex3_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex3_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex3_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex3_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Burning Bush.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1491.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>
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1 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the
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priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the
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desert, and came to the mountain of God, <I>even</I> to Horeb.
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2 And the angel of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> appeared unto him in a flame of
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fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the
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bush burned with fire, and the bush <I>was</I> not consumed.
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3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great
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sight, why the bush is not burnt.
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4 And when the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> saw that he turned aside to see, God called
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unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses.
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And he said, Here <I>am</I> I.
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5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off
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thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest <I>is</I> holy ground.
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6 Moreover he said, I <I>am</I> the God of thy father, the God of
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Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid
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his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The years of the life of Moses are remarkably divided into three
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forties: the first forty he spent as a prince in Pharaoh's court, the
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second a shepherd in Midian, the third a king in Jeshurun; so
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changeable is the life of men, especially the life of good men. He had
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now finished his second forty, when he received his commission to
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bring Israel out of Egypt. Note, Sometimes it is long before God calls
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his servants out of that work which of old he designed them for, and
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has been graciously preparing them for. Moses was born to be Israel's
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deliverer, and yet not a word is said of it to him till he is eighty
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years of age. Now observe,</P>
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<P>
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I. How this appearance of God to him found him employed. He was
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keeping the flock (tending sheep) near mount Horeb,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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This was a poor employment for a man of his parts and education, yet
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he rests satisfied with it, and thus learns meekness and contentment
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to a high degree, for which he is more celebrated in sacred writ than
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for all his other learning. Note,
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1. In the calling to which we are called we should abide, and not be
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given to change.
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2. Even those that are qualified for great employments and services
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must not think it strange if they be confined to obscurity; it was the
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lot of Moses before them, who foresaw nothing to the contrary but that
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he should die, as he had lived a great while, a poor despicable
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shepherd. Let those that think themselves buried alive be content to
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shine like lamps in their sepulchres, and wait till God's time come for
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setting them on a candlestick. Thus employed Moses was, when he was
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honoured with this vision. Note, (1.) God will encourage industry. The
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shepherds were keeping their flocks when they received the tidings of
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our Saviour's birth,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:8">Luke ii. 8</A>.
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Satan loves to find us idle; God is well pleased when he find us
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employed.
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(2.) Retirement is a good friend to our communion with God. When we
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are alone, the Father is with us. Moses saw more of God in a desert
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than ever he had seen in Pharaoh's court.</P>
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<P>
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II. What the appearance was. To his great surprise he saw a bush
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burning, when he perceived no fire either from earth or heaven to
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kindle it, and, which was more strange, it did not consume,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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It was an angel of the Lord that appeared to him; some think, a
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created angel, who speaks in the language of him that sent him;
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others, the second person, the angel of the covenant, who is himself
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Jehovah. It was an extraordinary manifestation of the divine presence
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and glory; what was visible was produced by the ministry of an angel,
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but he heard God in it speaking to him.
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1. He saw a flame of fire; <I>for our God is a consuming fire.</I> When
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Israel's deliverance out of Egypt was promised to Abraham, he saw a
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burning lamp, which signified the light of joy which that deliverance
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should cause
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+15:17">Gen. xv. 17</A>);
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but now it shines brighter, as a flame of fire, for God in
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that deliverance brought terror and destruction to his enemies, light
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and heat to his people, and displayed his glory before all. See
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+10:17">Isa. x. 17</A>.
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2. This fire was not in a tall and stately cedar, but in a bush, <I>a
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thorny bush,</I> so the word signifies; for God chooses the weak and
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despised things of the world (such as Moses, now a poor shepherd), with
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them to confound the wise; he delights to beautify and crown the
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humble.
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3. <I>The bush burned,</I> and yet <I>was not consumed,</I> an emblem
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of the church now in bondage in Egypt, burning in the brick-kilns, yet
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not consumed; perplexed, but not in despair; cast down, but not
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destroyed.</P>
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<P>
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III. The curiosity Moses had to enquire into this extraordinary sight:
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<I>I will turn aside and see,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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He speaks as one inquisitive and bold in his enquiry; whatever it was,
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he would, if possible, know the meaning of it. Note, Things revealed
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belong to us, and we ought diligently to enquire into them.</P>
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<P>
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IV. The invitation he had to draw near, yet with a caution not to come
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too near, nor rashly. </P>
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<P>
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1. God gave him a gracious call, to which he returned a ready answer,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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When God saw that he took notice of the burning bush, and turned aside
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to see it, and left his business to attend it, then God called to him.
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If he had carelessly neglected it as an <I>ignis fatuus--a deceiving
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meteor,</I> a thing not worth taking notice of, it is probable that
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God would have departed, and said nothing to him; but, when he turned
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aside, God called to him. Note, Those that would have communion with
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God must attend upon him, and approach to him, in those ordinances
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wherein he is pleased to manifest himself, and his power and glory,
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though it be in a bush; they must come to the treasure, though in an
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earthen vessel. Those that seek God diligently shall find him, and
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find him their bountiful rewarder. <I>Draw nigh to God, and he will
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draw nigh to you.</I> God called him by name, <I>Moses, Moses.</I>
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This which he heard could not but surprise him much more than what he
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saw. The word of the Lord always went along with the glory of the
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Lord, for every divine vision was designed for divine revelation,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+4:16-21,32:14-15">Job iv. 16, &c.; xxxii. 14-15</A>.
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Divine calls are then effectual,
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(1.) When the Spirit of God makes them particular, and calls us by
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name. The word calls, <I>Ho, every one!</I> The Spirit, by the
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application of that, calls, <I>Ho, such a one! I know thee by name,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+33:12">Exod. xxxiii. 12</A>.
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(2.) When we return an obedient answer to them, as Moses here, "<I>Here
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am I, what saith my Lord unto his servant? Here am I,</I> not only to
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hear what is said, but to do what I am bidden."</P>
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<P>
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2. God gave him a needful caution against rashness and irreverence in
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his approach,
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(1.) He must keep his distance; draw near, but not too near; so near as
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to hear, but not so near as to pry. His conscience must be satisfied,
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but not his curiosity; and care must be taken that familiarity do not
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breed contempt. Note, In all our approaches to God, we ought to be
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deeply affected with the infinite distance there is between us and God,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+5:2">Eccl. v. 2</A>.
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Or this may be taken as proper to the Old-Testament dispensation, which
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was a dispensation of darkness, bondage, and terror, from which the
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gospel happily frees us, giving us boldness to enter into the holiest,
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and inviting us to draw near.
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(2.) He must express his reverence, and his readiness to obey: <I>Put
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off thy shoes from off thy feet,</I> as a servant. Putting off the shoe
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was then what putting off the hat is now, a token of respect and
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submission. "The ground, for the present, is <I>holy ground,</I> made
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so by this special manifestation of the divine presence, during the
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continuance of which it must retain this character; therefore tread not
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on that ground with soiled shoes." <I>Keep thy foot,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+5:1">Eccl. v. 1</A>.
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Note, We ought to approach to God with a solemn pause and preparation;
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and, though bodily exercise alone profits little, yet we ought to
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glorify God with our bodies, and to express our inward reverence by a
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grave and reverent behaviour in the worship of God, carefully avoiding
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everything that looks light, and rude, and unbecoming the awfulness of
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the service.</P>
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<P>
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V. The solemn declaration God made of his name, by which he would be
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known to Moses: <I>I am the God of thy father,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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1. He lets him know that it is God who speaks to him, to engage his
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reverence and attention, his faith and obedience; for this is enough
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to command all these: <I>I am the Lord.</I> Let us always hear the
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word <I>as the word of God,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+2:13">1 Thess. ii. 13</A>.
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2. He will be known as the God of his father, his pious father Amram,
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and the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, his ancestors, and the
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ancestors of all Israel, for whom God was now about to appear. By this
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God designed,
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(1.) To instruct Moses in the knowledge of another world, and to
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strengthen his belief of a future state. Thus it is interpreted by our
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Lord Jesus, the best expositor of scripture, who from this proves that
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the dead are raised, against the Sadducees. <I>Moses,</I> says he,
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<I>showed it at the bush</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+20:37">Luke xx. 37</A>),
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that is, God there showed it to him, and in him to us,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+22:31">Matt. xxii. 31</A>, &c.
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Abraham was dead, and yet
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God is the God of Abraham; therefore Abraham's soul lives, to which
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God stands in relation; and, to make his soul completely happy, his
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body must live again in due time. This promise made unto the fathers,
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that God would be their God, must include a future happiness; for he
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never did anything for them in this world sufficient to answer to the
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vast extent and compass of that great word, but, having prepared for
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them a city, he is not ashamed to be called their God,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+11:16">Heb. xi. 16</A>;
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and see
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+26:6,7,24:15">Acts xxvi. 6, 7; xxiv. 15</A>.
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(2.) To assure Moses of the fulfillment of all those particular
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promises made to the fathers. He may confidently expect this, for by
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these words it appears that God remembered his covenant,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+2:24"><I>ch.</I> ii. 24</A>.
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Note,
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[1.] God's covenant-relation to us as our God is the best support in
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the worst of times, and a great encouragement to our faith in
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particular promises.
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[2.] When we are conscious to ourselves of our own great unworthiness
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we may take comfort from God's relation to our fathers,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ch+20:6">2 Chron. xx. 6</A>. </P>
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<P>
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VI. The solemn impression this made upon Moses: He <I>hid his
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face,</I> as one both ashamed and afraid to look upon God. Now that he
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knew it was a divine light his eyes were dazzled with it; he was not
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afraid of a burning bush till he perceived that God was in it. Yea,
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though God called himself <I>the God of his father,</I> and a God in
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covenant with him, yet he was afraid. Note,
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1. The more we see of God the more cause we shall see to worship him
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with reverence and godly fear.
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2. Even the manifestations of God's grace and covenant-love should
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increase our humble reverence of him.</P>
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<A NAME="Ex3_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex3_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex3_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Ex3_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Compassion of God for the Israelites.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1491.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>
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7 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said, I have surely seen the affliction of my
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people which <I>are</I> in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason
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of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;
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8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the
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Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land
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and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the
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place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and
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the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
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9 Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is
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come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the
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Egyptians oppress them.
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10 Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that
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thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of
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Egypt.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Now that Moses had put off his shoes (for, no doubt, he observed the
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orders given him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),
|
|
|
|
and covered his face, God enters upon the particular business that was
|
|
now to be concerted, which was the bringing of Israel out of Egypt.
|
|
Now, after forty years of Israel's bondage and Moses's banishment,
|
|
when we may suppose both he and they began to despair, they of being
|
|
delivered and he of delivering them, at length, the time has come,
|
|
even the year of the redeemed. Note, God often comes for the salvation
|
|
of his people when they have done looking for him. <I>Shall he find
|
|
faith?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+18:8">Luke xviii. 8</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here is,
|
|
|
|
I. The notice God takes of the afflictions of Israel
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:7,9"><I>v.</I> 7, 9</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Seeing I have seen,</I> not only, <I>I have surely seen,</I> but I
|
|
have strictly observed and considered the matter. Three things God
|
|
took cognizance of:--
|
|
|
|
1. <I>Their sorrows,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is likely they were not permitted to make a remonstrance of their
|
|
grievances to Pharaoh, nor to seek relief against their task-masters
|
|
in any of his courts, nor scarcely durst complain to one another; but
|
|
God observed their tears. Note, Even the secret sorrows of God's
|
|
people are known to him.
|
|
|
|
2. Their cry: <I>I have heard their cry</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>it has come unto me,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, God is not deaf to the cries of his afflicted people.
|
|
|
|
3. The tyranny of their persecutors: <I>I have seen the oppression,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, As the poorest of the oppressed are not below God's cognizance,
|
|
so the highest and greatest of their oppressors are not above his
|
|
check, but he will surely visit for these things.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The promise God makes of their speedy deliverance and enlargement:
|
|
<I>I have come down to deliver them,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
1. It denotes his resolution to deliver them, and that his heart was
|
|
upon it, so that it should be done speedily and effectually, and by
|
|
methods out of the common road of providence: when God does something
|
|
very extraordinary he is said to <I>come down</I> to do it, as
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+64:1">Isa. lxiv. 1</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. This deliverance was typical of our redemption by Christ, in which
|
|
the eternal Word did indeed come down from heaven to deliver us: it was
|
|
his errand into the world. He promises also their happy settlement in
|
|
the land of Canaan, that they should exchange bondage for liberty,
|
|
poverty for plenty, labour for rest, and the precarious condition of
|
|
tenants at will for the ease and honour of lords proprietors. Note,
|
|
Whom God by his grace delivers out of a spiritual Egypt he will bring
|
|
to a heavenly Canaan.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. The commission he gives to Moses in order hereunto,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
He is not only sent as a prophet to Israel, to assure them that they
|
|
should speedily be delivered (even that would have been a great
|
|
favour), but he is sent as an ambassador to Pharaoh, to treat with
|
|
him, or rather as a herald at arms, to demand their discharge, and to
|
|
denounce war in case of refusal; and he is sent as a prince to Israel,
|
|
to conduct and command them. Thus is he taken from <I>following the
|
|
ewes great with young,</I> to a pastoral office much more noble, as
|
|
David,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+78:71">Ps. lxxviii. 71</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, God is the fountain of power, and the powers that be are ordained
|
|
of him as he pleases. The same hand that now fetched a shepherd out of
|
|
a desert, to be the planter of a Jewish church, afterwards fetched
|
|
fishermen from their ships, to be the planters of the Christian church,
|
|
<I>That the excellency of the power might be of God.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ex3_11"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex3_12"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex3_13"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex3_14"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex3_15"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Instructions Given to Moses.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1491.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>
|
|
11 And Moses said unto God, Who <I>am</I> I, that I should go unto
|
|
Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out
|
|
of Egypt?
|
|
12 And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this <I>shall
|
|
be</I> a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast
|
|
brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon
|
|
this mountain.
|
|
13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, <I>when</I> I come unto the
|
|
children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your
|
|
fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What
|
|
<I>is</I> his name? what shall I say unto them?
|
|
14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus
|
|
shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me
|
|
unto you.
|
|
15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto
|
|
the children of Israel, The L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> God of your fathers, the God of
|
|
Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me
|
|
unto you: this <I>is</I> my name for ever, and this <I>is</I> my memorial
|
|
unto all generations.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
God, having spoken to Moses, allows him also a liberty of speech,
|
|
which he here improves; and,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. He objects his own insufficiency for the service he was called to
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Who am I?</I> He thinks himself unworthy of the honour, and not
|
|
<I>par negotio--equal to the task.</I> He thinks he wants courage, and
|
|
therefore cannot go to Pharaoh, to make a demand which might cost the
|
|
demandant his head: he thinks he wants skill, and therefore cannot
|
|
bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt; they are unarmed,
|
|
undisciplined, quite dispirited, utterly unable to help themselves; it
|
|
is morally impossible to bring them out.
|
|
|
|
1. Moses was incomparably the fittest of any man living for this work,
|
|
eminent for learning, wisdom, experience, valour, faith, holiness; and
|
|
yet he says, <I>Who am I?</I> Note, The more fit any person is for
|
|
service commonly the less opinion he has of himself: see
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+9:8">Judg. ix. 8</A>, &c.
|
|
|
|
2. The difficulties of the work were indeed very great, enough to
|
|
startle the courage and stagger the faith of Moses himself. Note, Even
|
|
wise and faithful instruments may be much discouraged at the
|
|
difficulties that lie in the way of the church's salvation.
|
|
|
|
3. Moses had formerly been very courageous when he slew the Egyptian,
|
|
but now his heart failed him; for good men are not always alike bold
|
|
and zealous.
|
|
|
|
4. Yet Moses is the man that does it at last; for God gives grace to
|
|
the lowly. Modest beginnings are very good presages.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. God answers this objection,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
1. He promises him his presence: <I>Certainly I will be with thee,</I>
|
|
and that is enough. Note, Those that are weak in themselves may yet
|
|
do wonders, being strong in the Lord and in the power of his might;
|
|
and those that are most diffident of themselves may be most confident
|
|
in God. God's presence puts an honour upon the worthless, wisdom and
|
|
strength into the weak and foolish, makes the greatest difficulties
|
|
dwindle to nothing, and is enough to answer all objections.
|
|
|
|
2. He assures him of success, and that the Israelites should serve God
|
|
upon this mountain. Note,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Those deliverances are most valuable which open to us a door of
|
|
liberty to serve God.
|
|
|
|
(2.) If God gives us opportunity and a heart to serve him, it is a
|
|
happy and encouraging earnest of further favours designed us.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. He begs instructions for the executing of his commission, and has
|
|
them, thoroughly to furnish him. He desires to know by what name God
|
|
would at this time make himself known,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. He supposes the children of Israel would ask him, <I>What is his
|
|
name?</I> This they would ask either,
|
|
|
|
(1.) To perplex Moses: he foresaw difficulty, not only in dealing with
|
|
Pharaoh, to make him willing to part with them, but in dealing with
|
|
them, to make them willing to remove. They would be scrupulous and apt
|
|
to cavil, would bid him produce his commission, and probably this would
|
|
be the trial: "Does he know the name of God? Has he the watch-word?"
|
|
Once he was asked, <I>Who made thee a judge?</I> Then he had not his
|
|
answer ready, and he would not be nonplussed so again, but would be
|
|
able to tell in whose name he came. Or,
|
|
|
|
(2.) For their own information. It is to be feared that they had grown
|
|
very ignorant in Egypt, by reason of their hard bondage, want of
|
|
teachers, and loss of the sabbath, so that they needed to be told the
|
|
first principles of the oracles of God. Or this question, <I>What is
|
|
his name?</I> amounted to an enquiry into the nature of the
|
|
dispensation they were now to expect: "How will God in it be known to
|
|
us, and what may we depend upon from him?"</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. He desires instructions what answer to give them: "<I>What shall I
|
|
say to them?</I> What name shall I vouch to them for the proof of my
|
|
authority? I must have something great and extraordinary to say to
|
|
them; what must it be? If I must go, let me have full instructions,
|
|
that I may not run in vain." Note,
|
|
|
|
(1.) It highly concerns those who speak to people in the name of God to
|
|
be well prepared beforehand.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Those who would know what to say must go to God, to the word of
|
|
his grace and to the throne of his grace, for instructions,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+2:7,3:4,10,17">Ezek. ii. 7; iii. 4, 10, 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
(3.) Whenever we have any thing to do with God, it is
|
|
desirable to know, and our duty to consider, what is his name.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. God readily gives him full instructions in this matter. Two names
|
|
God would now be known by:--</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. A name that denotes what he is in himself
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>I am that I am.</I> This explains his name <I>Jehovah,</I> and
|
|
signifies,
|
|
|
|
(1.) That he is self-existent; he has his being of himself, and has no
|
|
dependence upon any other: the greatest and best man in the world must
|
|
say, By the grace of God <I>I am what I am;</I> but God says
|
|
absolutely--and it is more than any creature, man or angel, can
|
|
say--<I>I am that I am.</I> Being self-existent, he cannot but be
|
|
self-sufficient, and therefore all-sufficient, and the inexhaustible
|
|
fountain of being and bliss.
|
|
|
|
(2.) That he is eternal and unchangeable, and always the same,
|
|
yesterday, to-day, and for ever; he will be what he will be and what he
|
|
is; see
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+1:8">Rev. i. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
(3.) That we cannot by searching find him out. This is such a name as
|
|
checks all bold and curious enquiries concerning God, and in effect
|
|
says, <I>Ask not after my name, seeing it is secret,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jdg+13:18,Pr+30:4">Judg. xiii. 18; Prov. xxx. 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
Do we ask what is God? Let it suffice us to know that he is what he is,
|
|
what he ever was, and ever will be. <I>How little a portion is heard of
|
|
him!</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+26:14">Job xxvi. 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
(4.) That he is faithful and true to all his promises, unchangeable in
|
|
his word as well as in his nature, and not a man that he should lie.
|
|
Let Israel know this, <I>I AM hath sent me unto you.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. A name that denotes what he is to his people. Lest that name <I>I
|
|
AM</I> should amuse and puzzle them, he is further directed to make
|
|
use of another name of God more familiar and intelligible: <I>The Lord
|
|
God of your fathers hath sent me unto you</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>):
|
|
|
|
Thus God had made himself know to him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
|
|
|
|
and thus he must make him known to them,
|
|
|
|
(1.) That he might revive among them the religion of their fathers,
|
|
which, it is to be feared, was much decayed and almost lost. This was
|
|
necessary to prepare them for deliverance,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+80:19">Ps. lxxx. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) That he might raise their expectations of the speedy performance
|
|
of the promises made unto their fathers. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are
|
|
particularly named, because with Abraham the covenant was first made,
|
|
and with Isaac and Jacob often expressly renewed; and these three were
|
|
distinguished from their brethren, and chosen to be the trustees of the
|
|
covenant, when their brethren were rejected. God will have this to be
|
|
his name for ever, and it has been, is, and will be, his name, by which
|
|
his worshippers know him, and distinguish him from all false gods; see
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+18:36">1 Kings xviii. 36</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, God's covenant-relation to his people is what he will be ever
|
|
mindful of, what he glories in, and what he will have us never forget,
|
|
but give him the glory of: if he will have this to be his memorial unto
|
|
all generations, we have all the reason in the world to make it so with
|
|
us, for it is a precious memorial.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ex3_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex3_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex3_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex3_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex3_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex3_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex3_22"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>
|
|
16 Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto
|
|
them, The L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac,
|
|
and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited
|
|
you, and <I>seen</I> that which is done to you in Egypt:
|
|
17 And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction
|
|
of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and
|
|
the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the
|
|
Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.
|
|
18 And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come,
|
|
thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye
|
|
shall say unto him, The L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> God of the Hebrews hath met with us:
|
|
and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days' journey into the
|
|
wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> our God.
|
|
19 And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go,
|
|
no, not by a mighty hand.
|
|
20 And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my
|
|
wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he
|
|
will let you go.
|
|
21 And I will give this people favour in the sight of the
|
|
Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall
|
|
not go empty:
|
|
22 But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her
|
|
that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of
|
|
gold, and raiment: and ye shall put <I>them</I> upon your sons, and
|
|
upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Moses is here more particularly instructed in his work, and informed
|
|
beforehand of his success.
|
|
|
|
1. He must deal with the elders of Israel, and raise their expectation
|
|
of a speedy removal to Canaan,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:16,17"><I>v.</I> 16, 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
He must repeat to them what God had said to him, as a faithful
|
|
ambassador. Note, That which ministers have received of the Lord they
|
|
must deliver to his people, and keep back nothing that is profitable.
|
|
Lay an emphasis on that,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>:
|
|
|
|
"<I>I have said, I will bring you up;</I> that is enough to satisfy
|
|
them, <I>I have said it:</I>" hath he spoken, and will he not make it
|
|
good? With us saying and doing are two things, but they are not so
|
|
with God, for he is in one mind and who can turn him? "I have said it,
|
|
and all the world cannot gainsay it. My counsel shall stand." His
|
|
success with the elders of Israel would be good; so he is told
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>They shall hearken to thy voice,</I> and not thrust thee away as
|
|
they did forty years ago. He who, by his grace, inclines the heart,
|
|
and opens the ear, could say beforehand, <I>They shall hearken to thy
|
|
voice,</I> having determined to make them willing in this day of
|
|
power.
|
|
|
|
2. He must deal with the king of Egypt
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
he and the elders of Israel, and in this they must not begin with a
|
|
demand, but with a humble petition; that gentle and submissive method
|
|
must be first tried, even with one who, it was certain, would not be
|
|
wrought upon by it: <I>We beseech thee, let us go.</I> Moreover, they
|
|
must only beg leave of Pharaoh to go as far as Mount Sinai to worship
|
|
God, and say nothing to him of going quite away to Canaan; the latter
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would have been immediately rejected, but the former was a very modest
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and reasonable request, and his denying it was utterly inexcusable and
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|
justified them in the total deserting of his kingdom. If he would not
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give them leave to go and sacrifice at Sinai, justly did they go
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without leave to settle in Canaan. Note, The calls and commands which
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God sends to sinners are so highly reasonable in themselves, and
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delivered to them in such a gentle winning way, that the mouth of the
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disobedient must needs be for ever stopped. As to his success with
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Pharaoh, Moses is here told,
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(1.) That petitions, and persuasions, and humble remonstrances, would
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not prevail with him, no, nor a mighty hand stretched out in signs and
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wonders: <I>I am sure he will not let you go,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
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Note, God sends his messengers to those whose hardness and obstinacy
|
|
he certainly knows and foresees, that it may appear he would have them
|
|
turn and live.
|
|
|
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(2.) That plagues should compel him to it: <I>I will smite Egypt,</I>
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|
and then he will <I>let you go,</I>
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
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|
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Note, Those will certainly be broken by the power of God's hand that
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|
will not bow to the power of his word; we may be sure that <I>when God
|
|
judges he will overcome.</I>
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|
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|
(3.) That his people should be more kind to them, and furnish them at
|
|
their departure with abundance of plate and jewels, to their great
|
|
enriching: <I>I will give this people favour in the sight of the
|
|
Egyptians,</I>
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|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+3:21,22"><I>v.</I> 21, 22</A>.
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|
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Note,
|
|
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|
[1.] God sometimes makes the enemies of his people, not only to be at
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|
peace with them, but to be kind to them.
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|
|
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[2.] God has many ways of balancing accounts between the injured and
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|
the injurious, of righting the oppressed, and compelling those that
|
|
have done wrong to make restitution; for he sits in the throne judging
|
|
right.</P>
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