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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Exodus, Chapter XII].</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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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1706)
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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. XII.</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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This chapter gives an account of one of the most memorable ordinances,
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and one of the most memorable providences, of all that are recorded in
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the Old Testament.
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I. Not one of all the ordinances of the Jewish church was more eminent
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than that of the passover, nor is any one more frequently mentioned in
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the New Testament; and we have here an account of the institution to
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it. The ordinance consisted of three parts:--
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1. The killing and eating of the paschal lamb,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:1-6,8-11">ver. 1-6, 8-11</A>.
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2. The sprinkling of the blood upon the door-posts, spoken of as a
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distinct thing
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+11:28">Heb. xi. 28</A>),
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and peculiar to this first passover
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:7">ver. 7</A>),
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with the reason for it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:13">ver. 13</A>.
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3. The feast of unleavened bread for seven days following; this points
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rather at what was to be done afterwards, in the observance of this
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ordinance,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:14-20">ver. 14-20</A>.
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This institution is communicated to the people, and they are instructed
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in the observance,
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(1.) Of this first passover,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:21-23">ver. 21-23</A>.
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(2.) Of the after passovers,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:24-27">ver. 24-27</A>.
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And the Israelites' obedience to these orders,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:28">ver. 28</A>.
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II. Not one of all the providences of God concerning the Jewish church
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was more illustrious, or is more frequently mentioned, than the
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deliverance of the children of Israel out of Egypt.
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1. The firstborn of the Egyptians are slain,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:29,30">ver. 29, 30</A>.
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2. Orders are given immediately for their discharge,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:31-33">ver. 31-33</A>.
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3. They begin their march.
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(1.) Loaded with their own effects,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:34">ver. 34</A>.
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(2.) Enriched with the spoils of Egypt,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:35,36">ver. 35, 36</A>.
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(3.) Attended with a mixed multitude,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:37,38">ver. 37, 38</A>.
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(4.) Put to their shifts for present supply,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:39">ver. 39</A>.
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The event is dated,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:40-42">ver. 40-42</A>.
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Lastly, A recapitulation in the close,
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[1.] Of this memorable ordinance, with some additions,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:43-49">ver. 43-49</A>.
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[2.] Of this memorable providence,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:50,51">ver. 50, 51</A>.</P>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Appointment of the Passover; the Feast of Unleavened Bread.</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>1 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt,
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saying,
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2 This month <I>shall be</I> unto you the beginning of months: it
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<I>shall be</I> the first month of the year to you.
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3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the
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tenth <I>day</I> of this month they shall take to them every man a
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lamb, according to the house of <I>their</I> fathers, a lamb for an
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house:
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4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and
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his neighbour next unto his house take <I>it</I> according to the
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number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make
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your count for the lamb.
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5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year:
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ye shall take <I>it</I> out from the sheep, or from the goats:
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6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same
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month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall
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kill it in the evening.
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7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike <I>it</I> on the two
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side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they
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shall eat it.
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8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire,
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and unleavened bread; <I>and</I> with bitter <I>herbs</I> they shall eat
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it.
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9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast
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<I>with</I> fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance
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thereof.
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10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and
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that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with
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fire.
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11 And thus shall ye eat it; <I>with</I> your loins girded, your
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shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat
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it in haste: it <I>is</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>'s passover.
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12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and
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will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and
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beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment:
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I <I>am</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
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13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses
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where ye <I>are:</I> and when I see the blood, I will pass over you,
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and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy <I>you,</I> when I
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smite the land of Egypt.
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14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall
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keep it a feast to the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> throughout your generations; ye shall
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keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.
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15 Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day
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ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth
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leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that
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soul shall be cut off from Israel.
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16 And in the first day <I>there shall be</I> an holy convocation,
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and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you;
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no manner of work shall be done in them, save <I>that</I> which every
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man must eat, that only may be done of you.
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17 And ye shall observe <I>the feast of</I> unleavened bread; for in
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this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of
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Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by
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an ordinance for ever.
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18 In the first <I>month,</I> on the fourteenth day of the month at
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even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth
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day of the month at even.
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19 Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses:
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for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall
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be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a
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stranger, or born in the land.
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20 Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall
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ye eat unleavened bread.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Moses and Aaron here <I>receive of the Lord</I> what they were
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afterwards to <I>deliver to the people</I> concerning the ordinance of
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the passover, to which is prefixed an order for a new style to be
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observed in their months
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:1,2"><I>v.</I> 1, 2</A>):
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<I>This shall be to you the beginning of months.</I> They had hitherto
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begun their year from the middle of September, but henceforward they
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were to begin it from the middle of March, at least in all their
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ecclesiastical computations. Note, It is good to begin the day, and
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begin the year, and especially to begin our lives, with God. This new
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calculation began the year with the spring, which <I>reneweth the face
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of the earth,</I> and was used as a figure of the coming of Christ,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=So+2:11,12">Cant. ii. 11, 12</A>.
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We may suppose that, while Moses was bringing the ten plagues upon the
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Egyptians, he was directing the Israelites to prepare for their
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departure at an hour's warning. Probably he had be degrees brought them
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near together from their dispersions, for their are here called <I>the
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congregation of Israel</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>),
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and to them as a congregation orders are here sent. Their amazement and
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hurry, it is easy to suppose, were great; yet now they must apply
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themselves to the observance of a sacred rite, to the honour of God.
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Note, When our heads are fullest of care, and our hands of business,
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yet we must not forget our religion, nor suffer ourselves to be
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indisposed for acts of devotion.</P>
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<P>
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I. God appointed that on the night wherein they were to go out of Egypt
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they should, in each of their families, <I>kill a lamb,</I> or that two
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or three families, if they were small, should join for a lamb. The lamb
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was to be got ready four days before and that afternoon they were to
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<I>kill it</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>)
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as a sacrifice; not strictly, for it was not offered <I>upon the
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altar,</I> but as a religious ceremony, acknowledging God's goodness to
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them, not only in preserving them from, but in delivering them by, the
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plagues inflicted on the Egyptians. See the antiquity of
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family-religion; and see the convenience of the joining of small
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families together for religious worship, that it may be made the more
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solemn.</P>
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<P>
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II. The lamb so slain they were to eat, roasted (we may suppose, in its
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several quarters), with unleavened bread and bitter herbs, because they
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were to eat it <I>in haste</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>),
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and to leave none of it until the morning; for God would have them to
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depend upon him for their daily bread, and not to take thought for the
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morrow. He that led them would feed them.</P>
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<P>
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III. Before they ate the flesh of the lamb, they were to sprinkle the
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blood upon the doorposts,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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By this their houses were to be distinguished from the houses of the
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Egyptians, and so their first-born secured from the sword of the
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destroying angel,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:12,13"><I>v.</I> 12, 13</A>.
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Dreadful work was to be made this night in Egypt; all the first-born
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both of man and beast were to be slain, and judgment executed upon the
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gods of Egypt. Moses does not mention the fulfillment, in this chapter,
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yet he speaks of it
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+33:4">Num. xxxiii. 4</A>.
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It is very probable that the idols which the Egyptians worshipped were
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destroyed, those of metal melted, those of wood consumed, and those of
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stone broken to pieces, whence Jethro infers
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+18:11"><I>ch.</I> xviii. 11</A>),
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<I>The Lord is greater than all gods.</I> The same angel that destroyed
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their first-born demolished their idols, which were no less dear to
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them. For the protection of Israel from this plague they were ordered
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to sprinkle the blood of the lamb upon the door-posts, their doing
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which would be accepted as an instance of their faith in the divine
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warnings and their obedience to the divine precepts. Note,
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1. If in times of common calamity God will secure his own people, and
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set a mark upon them; they shall be hidden either in heaven or under
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heaven, preserved either from the stroke of judgments or at least from
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the sting of them.
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2. The blood of sprinkling is the saint's security in times of common
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calamity; it is this that marks them for God, pacifies conscience, and
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gives them boldness of access to the throne of grace, and so becomes a
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wall of protection round them and a wall of partition between them and
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the children of this world.</P>
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<P>
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IV. This was to be annually observed as a feast of the Lord in their
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generations, to which the <I>feast of unleavened bread</I> was annexed,
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during which, for seven days, they were to eat no bread but what was
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unleavened, in remembrance of their being confined to such bread, of
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necessity, for many days after they came out of Egypt,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:14-20"><I>v.</I> 14-20</A>.
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The appointment is inculcated for their better direction, and that they
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might not mistake concerning it, and to awaken those who perhaps in
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Egypt had grown generally very stupid and careless in the matters of
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religion to a diligent observance of the institution. Now, without
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doubt, there was much of the gospel in this ordinance; it is often
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referred to in the New Testament, and, in it, to us is <I>the gospel
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preached,</I> and <I>not to them only,</I> who <I>could not stedfastly
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look to the end of these things,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+4:2,2Co+3:13">Heb. iv. 2; 2 Cor. iii. 13</A>.</P>
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<P>
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1. The paschal lamb was typical. Christ is <I>our Passover,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+5:7">1 Cor. v. 7</A>.
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(1.) It was to be a <I>lamb;</I> and Christ is <I>the Lamb of God</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+1:29">John i. 29</A>),
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often in the Revelation called the <I>Lamb,</I> meek and innocent as a
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lamb, dumb before the shearers, before the butchers.
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(2.) It was to be a <I>male of the first year</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),
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in its prime; Christ offered up himself in the midst of his days, not
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in infancy with the babes of Bethlehem. It denotes the strength and
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sufficiency of the Lord Jesus, on whom our help was laid.
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(3.) It was to be <I>without blemish</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),
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denoting the purity of the Lord Jesus, a Lamb <I>without spot,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+1:19">1 Pet. i. 19</A>.
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The judge that condemned him (as if his trial were only like the
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scrutiny that was made concerning the sacrifices, whether they were
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without blemish or no) pronounced him innocent.
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(4.) It was to be set apart four days before
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:3,6"><I>v.</I> 3, 6</A>),
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denoting the designation of the Lord Jesus to be a Saviour, both in the
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purpose and in the promise. It is very observable that as Christ was
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crucified at the passover, so he solemnly entered into Jerusalem four
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days before, the very day that the paschal lamb was set apart.
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(5.) It was to be <I>slain,</I> and <I>roasted with fire</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:6-9"><I>v.</I> 6-9</A>),
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denoting the exquisite sufferings of the Lord Jesus, even unto death,
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the death of the cross. The wrath of God is as fire, and Christ was
|
|
made a curse for us.
|
|
|
|
(6.) It was to be killed by the whole congregation between the two
|
|
evenings, that is, between three o'clock and six. Christ suffered in
|
|
the <I>end of the world</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+9:26">Heb. ix. 26</A>),
|
|
|
|
by the hand of the Jews, the whole multitude of them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+23:18">Luke xxiii. 18</A>),
|
|
|
|
and for the good of all his spiritual Israel.
|
|
|
|
(7.) Not <I>a bone of it must be broken</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:46"><I>v.</I> 46</A>),
|
|
|
|
which is expressly said to be fulfilled in Christ
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+19:33,36">John xix. 33, 36</A>),
|
|
|
|
denoting the unbroken strength of the Lord Jesus.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The sprinkling of the blood was typical.
|
|
|
|
(1.) It was not enough that the blood of the lamb was shed, but it must
|
|
be sprinkled, denoting the application of the merits of Christ's death
|
|
to our souls; we must <I>receive the atonement,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+5:11">Rom. v. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) It was to be sprinkled with <I>a bunch of hyssop</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>)
|
|
|
|
<I>dipped in the basin.</I> The everlasting covenant, like the basin,
|
|
in the conservatory of this blood, the benefits and privileges
|
|
purchased by it are laid up for us there; faith is the bunch of hyssop
|
|
by which we apply the promises to ourselves and the benefits of the
|
|
blood of Christ laid up in them.
|
|
|
|
(3.) It was to be sprinkled upon the <I>door-posts,</I> denoting the
|
|
open profession we are to make of faith in Christ, and obedience to
|
|
him, as those that are not ashamed to own our dependence upon him. The
|
|
mark of the beast may be received on the forehead or in the right hand,
|
|
but the seal of the <I>Lamb</I> is always <I>in the forehead,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+7:3">Rev. vii. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
There is a back-way to hell, but no back-way to heaven; no, the only
|
|
way to this is a high-way,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+35:8">Isa. xxxv. 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
(4.) It was to be sprinkled upon the <I>lintel</I> and the
|
|
<I>sideposts,</I> but not upon the <I>threshold</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>),
|
|
|
|
which cautions us to take heed of trampling under foot the blood of the
|
|
covenant,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+10:29">Heb. x. 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
It is precious blood, and must be precious to us.
|
|
|
|
(5.) The blood, thus sprinkled, was a means of the preservation of the
|
|
Israelites from the destroying angel, who had nothing to do where the
|
|
blood was. If the blood of Christ be sprinkled upon our consciences, it
|
|
will be our protection from the wrath of God, the curse of the law, and
|
|
the damnation of hell,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+8:1">Rom. viii. 1</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. The solemnly eating of the lamb was typical of our gospel-duty to
|
|
Christ.
|
|
|
|
(1.) The paschal lamb was killed, not to be looked upon only, but to be
|
|
fed upon; so we must by faith make Christ ours, as we do that which we
|
|
eat, and we must receive spiritual strength and nourishment from him,
|
|
as from our food, and have delight and satisfaction in him, as we have
|
|
in eating and drinking when we are hungry or thirsty: see
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+6:53-55">John vi. 53-55</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) It was to be all eaten; those that by faith feed
|
|
upon Christ must feed upon a whole Christ; they must take Christ and
|
|
his yoke, Christ and his cross, as well as Christ and his crown. <I>Is
|
|
Christ divided?</I> Those hat gather much of Christ will have nothing
|
|
over.
|
|
|
|
(3.) It was to be eaten immediately, not deferred till morning,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>To-day</I> Christ is offered, and is to be accepted while it
|
|
is called to-day, before we sleep the sleep of death.
|
|
|
|
(4.) It was to be eaten <I>with bitter herbs</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
|
|
|
|
in remembrance of the bitterness of their bondage in Egypt. We must
|
|
feed upon Christ with sorrow and brokenness of heart, in remembrance of
|
|
sin; this will give an admirable relish to the paschal lamb. Christ
|
|
will be sweet to us if sin be bitter.
|
|
|
|
(5.) It was to be eaten in a departing posture
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>);
|
|
|
|
when we feed upon Christ by faith we must absolutely forsake the rule
|
|
and dominion of sin, shake off Pharaoh's yoke; and we must sit loose to
|
|
the world, and every thing in it, forsake all for Christ, and reckon it
|
|
no bad bargain,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+13:13,14">Heb. xiii. 13, 14</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. The feast of unleavened bread was typical of the Christian life,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+5:7,8">1 Cor. v. 7, 8</A>.
|
|
|
|
Having received Christ Jesus the Lord,
|
|
|
|
(1.) We must keep a feast in holy joy, continually delighting ourselves
|
|
in Christ Jesus; no <I>manner of work must be done</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
no care admitted or indulged, inconsistent with, or prejudicial to,
|
|
this holy joy: if true believers have not a continual feast, it is
|
|
their own fault.
|
|
|
|
(2.) It must be a feast of unleavened bread, kept in charity, without
|
|
the leaven of malice, and insincerity, without the leaven of hypocrisy.
|
|
The law was very strict as to the passover, and the Jews were so in
|
|
their usages, that no leaven should be <I>found in their houses,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
All the old leaven of sin must be put far from us, with the utmost
|
|
caution and abhorrence, if we would keep the feast of a holy life to
|
|
the honour of Christ.
|
|
|
|
(3.) It was by an <I>ordinance for ever</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>);
|
|
|
|
as long as we live, we must continue feeding upon Christ and rejoicing
|
|
in him, always making thankful mention of the great things he has done
|
|
for us.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_28"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Passover.</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>21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said
|
|
unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your
|
|
families, and kill the passover.
|
|
22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip <I>it</I> in the
|
|
blood that <I>is</I> in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two
|
|
side posts with the blood that <I>is</I> in the bason; and none of you
|
|
shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.
|
|
23 For the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and
|
|
when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side
|
|
posts, the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> will pass over the door, and will not suffer the
|
|
destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite <I>you.</I>
|
|
24 And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and
|
|
to thy sons for ever.
|
|
25 And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which
|
|
the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye
|
|
shall keep this service.
|
|
26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto
|
|
you, What mean ye by this service?
|
|
27 That ye shall say, It <I>is</I> the sacrifice of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>'s
|
|
passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in
|
|
Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And
|
|
the people bowed the head and worshipped.
|
|
28 And the children of Israel went away, and did as the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>
|
|
had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Moses is here, as a faithful steward in God's house, teaching the
|
|
children of Israel to <I>observe all things which God had commanded
|
|
him;</I> and no doubt he gave the instructions as largely as he
|
|
received them, though they are not so largely recorded. It is here
|
|
added,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. That this night, when the first-born were to be destroyed, no
|
|
Israelite must <I>stir out of doors till morning,</I> that is, till
|
|
towards morning, when they would be called to march out of Egypt,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
Not but that the destroying angel could have known an Israelite from an
|
|
Egyptian in the street; but God would intimate to them that their
|
|
safety was owing to the <I>blood of sprinkling;</I> if they put
|
|
themselves from under the protection of that, it was at their peril.
|
|
Those whom God has marked for himself must not mingle with evil doers:
|
|
see
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+26:20,21">Isa. xxvi. 20, 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
They must not go out of the doors, lest they should
|
|
straggle and be out of the way when they should be summoned to depart:
|
|
they must stay within, to <I>wait for the salvation of the Lord,</I>
|
|
and it is good to do so.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. That hereafter they should carefully teach their children the
|
|
meaning of this service,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:26,27"><I>v.</I> 26, 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) The question which the children would ask concerning this
|
|
solemnity (which they would soon take notice of in the family):
|
|
"<I>What mean you by this service?</I> What is he meaning of all this
|
|
care and exactness about eating this lamb, and this unleavened bread,
|
|
more than about common food? Why such a difference between this meal
|
|
and other meals?" Note,
|
|
|
|
[1.] It is a good thing to see children inquisitive about the things of
|
|
God; it is to be hoped that those who are careful to ask for the way
|
|
will find it. Christ himself, when a child, <I>heard and asked
|
|
questions,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+2:46">Luke ii. 46</A>.
|
|
|
|
[2.] It concerns us all rightly to understand the meaning of those holy
|
|
ordinances wherein we worship God, what is the nature and what the end
|
|
of them, what is signified and what intended, what is the duty expected
|
|
from us in them and what are the advantages to be expected by us. Every
|
|
ordinance has a meaning; some ordinances, as sacraments, have not their
|
|
meaning so plain and obvious as others have; therefore we are concerned
|
|
to search, that we may not offer <I>the blind for sacrifice,</I> but
|
|
may do a reasonable service. If either we are ignorant of, or mistake
|
|
about, the meaning of holy ordinances, we can neither please God nor
|
|
profit ourselves.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) The answer which the parents were to return to this question
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>You shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord's passover,</I> that
|
|
is, "By the killing and sacrificing of this lamb, we keep in
|
|
remembrance the work of wonder and grace which God did for our fathers,
|
|
when,"
|
|
|
|
[1.] "To make way for our deliverance out of bondage, he slew the
|
|
firstborn of the Egyptians, so compelling them to sign our discharge;"
|
|
and,
|
|
|
|
[2.] "Though there were <I>with us, even with us, sins against the Lord
|
|
our God,</I> for which the destroying angel, when he was abroad doing
|
|
execution, might justly have destroyed our first-born too, yet God
|
|
graciously appointed and accepted the family-sacrifice of a lamb,
|
|
instead of the first-born, as, of old, the ram instead of Isaac, and in
|
|
every house where the lamb was slain the first-born were saved." The
|
|
repetition of this solemnity in the return of every year was designed,
|
|
<I>First,</I> To look backward as a memorial, that in it they might
|
|
remember what great things God had done for them and their fathers. The
|
|
word <I>pesach</I> signifies a <I>leap,</I> or <I>transition;</I> it is
|
|
a passing over; for the destroying angel passed over the houses of the
|
|
Israelites, and did not destroy their first-born. When God brings utter
|
|
ruin upon his people he says, <I>I will not pass by them any more</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Am+7:8,8:2">Amos vii. 8; viii. 2</A>),
|
|
|
|
intimating how often he had passed by them, as now when the destroying
|
|
angel passed over their houses. Note,
|
|
|
|
1. Distinguishing mercies lay under peculiar obligations. When <I>a
|
|
thousand fall at our side, and ten thousand at our right hand,</I> and
|
|
yet we are preserved, and have our lives given us for a prey, this
|
|
should greatly affect us,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+91:7">Ps. xci. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
In war or pestilence, if the arrow of death have passed by us, passed
|
|
over us, hit the next to us and just missed us, we must not say it was
|
|
by chance that we were preserved but by the special providence of our
|
|
God.
|
|
|
|
2. Old mercies to ourselves, or to our fathers, must not be forgotten,
|
|
but be had in everlasting remembrance, that God may be praised, our
|
|
faith in him encouraged, and our hearts enlarged in his service.
|
|
<I>Secondly,</I> It was designed to look forward as an earnest of the
|
|
great sacrifice of the Lamb of God in the fulness of time, instead of
|
|
us and our first-born. We were obnoxious to the sword of the destroying
|
|
angel, but <I>Christ our passover was sacrificed for us,</I> his death
|
|
was our life, and thus he was the <I>Lamb slain from the foundation of
|
|
the world,</I> from the foundation of the Jewish church: Moses kept the
|
|
passover by faith in Christ, for Christ was <I>the end of the law for
|
|
righteousness.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The people received these instructions with reverence and ready
|
|
obedience.
|
|
|
|
1. They <I>bowed the head and worshipped</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>):
|
|
|
|
they hereby signified their submission to this institution as a law,
|
|
and their thankfulness for it as a favour and privilege. Note, When God
|
|
gives law to us, we must give honour to him; when he speaks, we must
|
|
<I>bow our heads and worship.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. They <I>went away and did</I> as they were commanded,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
Here was none of that discontent and murmuring among them which we read
|
|
of,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+5:20,21"><I>ch.</I> v. 20, 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
The plagues of Egypt had done them good, and raised their expectations
|
|
of a glorious deliverance, which before they despaired of; and now they
|
|
went forth to meet it in the way appointed. Note, The perfecting of
|
|
God's mercies to us must be waited for in a humble observance of his
|
|
institutions.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_34"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_35"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_36"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Death of the Firstborn.</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>29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> smote all the
|
|
firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh
|
|
that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that
|
|
<I>was</I> in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
|
|
30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants,
|
|
and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for
|
|
<I>there was</I> not a house where <I>there was</I> not one dead.
|
|
31 And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise
|
|
up, <I>and</I> get you forth from among my people, both ye and the
|
|
children of Israel; and go, serve the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, as ye have said.
|
|
32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and
|
|
be gone; and bless me also.
|
|
33 And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they
|
|
might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We <I>be</I>
|
|
all dead <I>men.</I>
|
|
34 And the people took their dough before it was leavened,
|
|
their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their
|
|
shoulders.
|
|
35 And the children of Israel did according to the word of
|
|
Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and
|
|
jewels of gold, and raiment:
|
|
36 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> gave the people favour in the sight of the
|
|
Egyptians, so that they lent unto them <I>such things as they
|
|
required.</I> And they spoiled the Egyptians.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here we have,
|
|
|
|
I. The Egyptians' sons, even their first-born, slain,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:29,30"><I>v.</I> 29, 30</A>.
|
|
|
|
If Pharaoh would have taken the warning which was given him of this
|
|
plague, and would thereupon have released Israel, what a great many
|
|
dear and valuable lives might have been preserved! But see what
|
|
obstinate infidelity brings upon men. Observe,
|
|
|
|
1. The time when this blow was given: It was <I>at midnight,</I> which
|
|
added to the terror of it. The three preceding nights were made
|
|
dreadful by the additional plague of darkness, which might be felt, and
|
|
doubtless disturbed their repose; and now, when they hoped for one
|
|
quiet night's rest, at midnight was the alarm given. When the
|
|
destroying angel drew his sword against Jerusalem, it was in the
|
|
day-time
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+24:15">2 Sam. xxiv. 15</A>),
|
|
|
|
which made it the less frightful; but the destruction of Egypt was by a
|
|
<I>pestilence walking in darkness,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+91:6">Ps. xci. 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
Shortly there will be an alarming cry at midnight, <I>Behold, the
|
|
bridegroom cometh.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. On whom the plague fastened--on <I>their first-born,</I> the joy and
|
|
hope of their respective families. They had slain the Hebrews'
|
|
children, and now God slew theirs. Thus he visits the iniquity of the
|
|
fathers upon the children; and he is <I>not unrighteous who taketh
|
|
vengeance.</I>
|
|
|
|
3. How far it reached--from the throne to the dungeon. Prince and
|
|
peasant stand upon the same level before God's judgments, for there is
|
|
no respect of persons with him; see
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:19,20">Job xxxiv. 19, 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
Now the <I>slain of the Lord were many; multitudes, multitudes,</I>
|
|
fall in this <I>valley of decision,</I> when the controversy between
|
|
God and Pharaoh was to be determined.
|
|
|
|
4. What an outcry was made upon it: <I>There was a great cry in
|
|
Egypt,</I> universal lamentation for their <I>only</I> son (with many),
|
|
and with all for their <I>first-born.</I> If any be suddenly taken ill
|
|
in the night, we are wont to call up neighbours; but the Egyptians
|
|
could have no help, no comfort, from their neighbours, all being
|
|
involved in the same calamity. Let us learn hence,
|
|
|
|
(1.) To tremble before God, and to be <I>afraid of his judgments,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:120">Ps. cxix. 120</A>.
|
|
|
|
Who is able to stand before him, or dares resist him?
|
|
|
|
(2.) To be thankful to God for the daily preservation of ourselves and
|
|
our families: lying so much exposed, we have reason to say, "It is of
|
|
the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. God's sons, even his first-born, released; this judgment conquered
|
|
Pharaoh, and obliged him to <I>surrender at discretion,</I> without
|
|
capitulating. Men had better come up to God's terms at first, for he
|
|
will never come down to theirs, let them object as long as they will.
|
|
Now Pharaoh's pride is abased, and he yields to all that Moses had
|
|
insisted on: <I>Serve the Lord as you have said</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>),
|
|
|
|
and <I>take your flocks as you have said,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, God's word will stand, and we shall get nothing by disputing it,
|
|
or delaying to submit to it. Hitherto the Israelites were not permitted
|
|
to depart, but now things had come to the last extremity, in
|
|
consequence of which,
|
|
|
|
1. They are commanded to depart: <I>Rise up, and get you forth,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>.
|
|
|
|
Pharaoh had told Moses he should <I>see his face no more;</I> but now
|
|
he sent for him. Those will seek God early in their distress who before
|
|
had set him at defiance. Such a fright he was now in that he gave
|
|
orders by night for their discharge, fearing lest, if he delayed any
|
|
longer, he himself should fall next; and that he sent them out, not as
|
|
men hated (as the pagan historians have represented this matter), but
|
|
as men feared, is plainly discovered by his humble request to them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>Bless me also;</I> let me have your prayers, that I may not be
|
|
plagued for what is past, when you are gone." Note, Those that are
|
|
enemies to God's church are enemies to themselves, and, sooner or
|
|
later, they will be made to see it.
|
|
|
|
2. They are hired to depart by the Egyptians; they cried out
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>We be all dead men.</I> Note, When death comes into our houses, it
|
|
is seasonable for us to think of our own mortality. Are our relations
|
|
dead? It is easy to infer thence that we are dying, and, in effect,
|
|
already dead men. Upon this consideration they were urgent with the
|
|
Israelites to be gone, which gave great advantage to the Israelites in
|
|
borrowing their jewels,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:35,36"><I>v.</I> 35, 36</A>.
|
|
|
|
When the Egyptians urged them to be gone, it was easy for the to say
|
|
that the Egyptians had kept them poor, that they could not undertake
|
|
such a journey with empty purses, but, that, if they would give them
|
|
wherewithal to bear their charges, they would be gone. And this the
|
|
divine Providence designed in suffering things to come to this
|
|
extremity, that they, becoming formidable to the Egyptians, might have
|
|
what they would, for asking; the Lord also, by the influence he has on
|
|
the minds of people, inclined the hearts of the Egyptians to furnish
|
|
them with what they desired, they probably intending thereby to <I>make
|
|
atonement,</I> that the plagues might be stayed, as the Philistines,
|
|
when they returned the ark, sent a present with it for a
|
|
trespass-offering, having an eye to this precedent,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+6:3,6">1 Sam. vi. 3, 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
The Israelites might receive and keep what they thus borrowed, or
|
|
rather required, of the Egyptians,
|
|
|
|
(1.) As justly as servants receive wages from their masters for work
|
|
done, and sue for it if it be detained.
|
|
|
|
(2.) As justly as conquerors take the spoils of their enemies whom they
|
|
have subdued; Pharaoh was in rebellion against the <I>God of the
|
|
Hebrews,</I> by which all that he had was forfeited.
|
|
|
|
(3.) As justly as subjects receive the estates granted to them by their
|
|
prince. God is the sovereign proprietor of the earth, and the fulness
|
|
thereof; and, if he take from one and give to another, who may say unto
|
|
him, <I>What doest thou?</I> It was by God's special order and
|
|
appointment that the Israelites did what they did, which was sufficient
|
|
to justify them, and bear them out; but what they did will by no means
|
|
authorize others (who cannot pretend to any such warrant) to do the
|
|
same. Let us remember,
|
|
|
|
[1.] That the King of kings can do no wrong.
|
|
|
|
[2.] That he will do right to those whom men injure,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+146:7">Ps. cxlvi. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
Hence it is that the <I>wealth of the sinner</I> often proves to be
|
|
<I>laid up for the just,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+13:22,Job+27:16,17">Prov. xiii. 22; Job xxvii. 16, 17</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_37"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_38"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_39"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_40"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_41"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_42"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Departure of the Israelites.</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>37 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to
|
|
Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot <I>that were</I> men,
|
|
beside children.
|
|
38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks,
|
|
and herds, <I>even</I> very much cattle.
|
|
39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they
|
|
brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they
|
|
were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they
|
|
prepared for themselves any victual.
|
|
40 Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in
|
|
Egypt, <I>was</I> four hundred and thirty years.
|
|
41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and
|
|
thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the
|
|
hosts of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> went out from the land of Egypt.
|
|
42 It <I>is</I> a night to be much observed unto the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> for
|
|
bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this <I>is</I> that night of
|
|
the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> to be observed of all the children of Israel in their
|
|
generations.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here is the departure of the children of Israel out of Egypt; having
|
|
obtained their dismission, they set forward without delay, and did not
|
|
defer to a more convenient season. Pharaoh was now in a good mind; but
|
|
they had reason to think he would not long continue so, and therefore
|
|
it was no time to linger. We have here an account,
|
|
|
|
1. Of their number, about 600,000 men
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:37"><I>v.</I> 37</A>),
|
|
|
|
besides women and children, which I think, we cannot suppose to make
|
|
less than 1,200,000 more. What a vast increase was this, to arise from
|
|
seventy souls in little more than 200 years' time! See the power and
|
|
efficacy of that blessing, when God commands it, <I>Be fruitful and
|
|
multiply.</I> This was typical of the multitudes that were brought into
|
|
the gospel church when it was first founded; <I>so mightily grew the
|
|
word of God, and prevailed.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. Of their retinue
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:38"><I>v.</I> 38</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>A mixed multitude went up with them,</I> hangers on to that great
|
|
family, some perhaps willing to leave their country, because it was
|
|
laid waste by the plagues, and to seek their fortune, as we say, with
|
|
the Israelites; others went out of curiosity, to see the solemnities of
|
|
Israel's sacrifice to their God, which had been so much talked of, and
|
|
expecting to see some glorious appearances of their God to them in the
|
|
wilderness, having seen such glorious appearances of their God for them
|
|
in the field of Zoan,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+78:12">Ps. lxxviii. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
Probably the greatest part of this mixed multitude were but a rude
|
|
unthinking mob, that followed the crowd they knew not why; we
|
|
afterwards find that they proved a snare to them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Nu+11:4">Num. xi. 4</A>),
|
|
|
|
and it is probable that when, soon afterwards, they understood that the
|
|
children of Israel were to continue forty years in the wilderness, they
|
|
quitted them, and returned to Egypt. Note, There were always those
|
|
among the Israelites that were not Israelites, and there are still
|
|
hypocrites in the church, who make a deal of mischief, but will be
|
|
shaken off at last.
|
|
|
|
3. Of their effects. They had with them <I>flocks and herds,</I> even
|
|
<I>very much cattle.</I> This is taken notice of because it was long
|
|
before Pharaoh would give them leave to remove their effects, which
|
|
were chiefly cattle,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+46:32">Gen. xlvi. 32</A>.
|
|
|
|
4. Of the provision made for the camp, which was very poor and slender.
|
|
They brought some dough with them out of Egypt in their knapsacks,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>.
|
|
|
|
They had prepared to bake, the next day, in order to their removal,
|
|
understanding it was very near; but, being hastened away sooner than
|
|
they thought of, by some hours, they took the dough as it was,
|
|
unleavened; when they came to Succoth, their first stage, they baked
|
|
unleavened cakes, and, though these were of course insipid, yet the
|
|
liberty they were brought into made this the most joyful meal they had
|
|
ever eaten in their lives. Note, The servants of God must not be
|
|
slaves to their appetites, nor solicitous to wind up all the delights
|
|
of sense to their highest pitch. We should be willing to take up with
|
|
dry bread, nay, with unleavened bread, rather than neglect or delay any
|
|
service we have to do for God, as those whose meat and drink it is to
|
|
do his will.
|
|
|
|
5. Of the date of this great event: it was just 430 years from the
|
|
promise made to Abraham (as the apostle explains it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ga+3:17">Gal. iii. 17</A>)
|
|
|
|
at his first coming into Canaan, during all which time <I>the children
|
|
of Israel,</I> that is, the Hebrews, the distinguished chosen seed,
|
|
were sojourners in a land that was not theirs, either Canaan or Egypt.
|
|
So long the promise God made to Abraham of a settlement lay dormant and
|
|
unfulfilled, but now, at length, it revived, and things began to work
|
|
towards the accomplishment of it. The first day of the march of
|
|
Abraham's seed towards Canaan was just 430 years (it should seem to a
|
|
day) from the promise made to Abraham,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+12:2">Gen. xii. 2</A>,
|
|
|
|
<I>I will make of thee a great nation.</I> See how punctual God is to
|
|
his time; though his promises be not performed quickly, they will be
|
|
accomplished in their season.
|
|
|
|
6. Of the memorableness of it: <I>It is a night to be much
|
|
observed,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:42"><I>v.</I> 42</A>.
|
|
|
|
(1.) The providences of that first night were very observable;
|
|
memorable was the destruction of the Egyptians, and the deliverance of
|
|
the Israelites by it; God herein made himself taken notice of.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The ordinances of that night, in the annual return of it, were to
|
|
be carefully observed: <I>This is that night of the Lord,</I> that
|
|
remarkable night, to be celebrated in all generations. Note, The great
|
|
things God does for his people are not to be a nine days' wonder, as we
|
|
say, but the remembrance of them is to be perpetuated throughout all
|
|
ages, especially the work of our redemption by Christ. This first
|
|
passover-night was a night of the Lord <I>much to be observed;</I> but
|
|
the last passover-night, in which Christ was betrayed (and in which the
|
|
passover, with the rest of the ceremonial institutions, was superseded
|
|
and abolished), was a night of the Lord <I>much more to be
|
|
observed,</I> when a yoke heavier than that of Egypt was broken from
|
|
off our necks, and a land better than that of Canaan set before us.
|
|
That was a temporal deliverance to be celebrated <I>in their
|
|
generation;</I> this is an eternal redemption to be celebrated in the
|
|
praises of glorious saints, <I>world without end.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_43"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_44"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_45"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_46"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_47"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_48"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_49"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_50"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Ex12_51"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Directions Concerning the Passover.</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>43 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> said unto Moses and Aaron, This <I>is</I> the
|
|
ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof:
|
|
44 But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou
|
|
hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.
|
|
45 A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof.
|
|
46 In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth
|
|
ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye
|
|
break a bone thereof.
|
|
47 All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.
|
|
48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep
|
|
the passover to the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, let all his males be circumcised, and
|
|
then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that
|
|
is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat
|
|
thereof.
|
|
49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the
|
|
stranger that sojourneth among you.
|
|
50 Thus did all the children of Israel; as the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> commanded
|
|
Moses and Aaron, so did they.
|
|
51 And it came to pass the selfsame day, <I>that</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> did
|
|
bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their
|
|
armies.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Some further precepts are here given concerning the passover, as it
|
|
should be observed in times to come.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. <I>All the congregation of Israel must keep it,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:47"><I>v.</I> 47</A>.
|
|
|
|
All that share in God's mercies should join in thankful praises for
|
|
them. Though it was observed in families apart, yet it is looked upon
|
|
as the act of the whole congregation; for the smaller communities
|
|
constituted the greater. The New-Testament passover, the Lord's supper,
|
|
ought not to be neglected by any who are capable of celebrating it. He
|
|
is unworthy the name of an Israelite that can contentedly neglect the
|
|
commemoration of so great a deliverance.
|
|
|
|
1. No stranger that was uncircumcised might be admitted to eat of it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:43,45,48"><I>v.</I> 43, 45, 48</A>.
|
|
|
|
None might sit at the table but those that came in by the door; nor may
|
|
any now approach to the improving ordinance of the Lord's supper who
|
|
have not first submitted to the initiating ordinance of baptism. We
|
|
must be born again by the word ere we can be nourished by it. Nor shall
|
|
any partake of the benefit of Christ's sacrifice, or feast upon it, who
|
|
are not first circumcised in heart,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Col+2:11">Col. ii. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. Any stranger that was circumcised might be welcome to eat of the
|
|
passover, even <I>servants,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:44"><I>v.</I> 44</A>.
|
|
|
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If, by circumcision, they would make themselves debtors to the law in
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its burdens, they were welcome to share in the joy of its solemn
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feasts, and not otherwise. Only it is intimated
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:48"><I>v.</I> 48</A>)
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that those who were masters of families must not only be circumcised
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themselves, but have all their males circumcised too. If in sincerity,
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and with that zeal which the thing required and deserves, we give up
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ourselves to God, we shall, with ourselves, give up all we have to him,
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and do our utmost that all ours may be his too. Here is an early
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indication of favour to the poor Gentiles, that the stranger, if
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circumcised, stands upon the same level with the home-born Israelite.
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<I>One law</I> for both,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:49"><I>v.</I> 49</A>.
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This was a mortification to the Jews, and taught them that it was their
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dedication to God, not their descent from Abraham, that entitled them
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to their privileges. A sincere proselyte was as welcome to the passover
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|
as a native Israelite,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+56:6,7">Isa. lvi. 6, 7</A>.</P>
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<P>
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II. <I>In one house shall it be eaten</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:46"><I>v.</I> 46</A>),
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for good-fellowship sake, that they might rejoice together, and edify
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|
one another in the eating of it. None of it must be carried to another
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|
place, nor left to another time; for God would not have them so taken
|
|
up with care about their departure as to be indisposed to take the
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|
comfort of it, but to leave Egypt, and enter upon a wilderness, with
|
|
cheerfulness, and, in token of that, to eat a good hearty meal. The
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|
papists' carrying their consecrated host from house to house is not
|
|
only superstitious in itself, but contrary to this typical law of the
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|
passover, which directed that no part of the lamb should be carried
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abroad.</P>
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<P>
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The chapter concludes with a repetition of the whole matter, that the
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children of Israel did as they were bidden, and God did for them as he
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promised
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+12:50,51"><I>v.</I> 50, 51</A>);
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for he will certainly be the author of salvation to those that obey
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|
him.</P>
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