mh_parser/vol_split/2 - Exodus/Chapter 12.xml

<div2 id="Ex.xiii" n="xiii" next="Ex.xiv" prev="Ex.xii" progress="36.30%" title="Chapter XII">
<h2 id="Ex.xiii-p0.1">E X O D U S</h2>
<h3 id="Ex.xiii-p0.2">CHAP. XII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Ex.xiii-p1">This chapter gives an account of one of the most
memorable ordinances, and one of the most memorable providences, of
all that are recorded in the Old Testament. I. Not one of all the
ordinances of the Jewish church was more eminent than that of the
passover, nor is any one more frequently mentioned in the New
Testament; and we have here an account of the institution to it.
The ordinance consisted of three parts:—1. The killing and eating
of the paschal lamb, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.1-Exod.12.6 Bible:Exod.12.8-Exod.12.11" parsed="|Exod|12|1|12|6;|Exod|12|8|12|11" passage="Ex 12:1-6,8-11">ver. 1-6,
8-11</scripRef>. 2. The sprinkling of the blood upon the
door-posts, spoken of as a distinct thing (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.11.28" parsed="|Heb|11|28|0|0" passage="Heb 11:28">Heb. xi. 28</scripRef>), and peculiar to this first
passover (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.7" parsed="|Exod|12|7|0|0" passage="Ex 12:7">ver. 7</scripRef>), with the
reason for it, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.13" parsed="|Exod|12|13|0|0" passage="Ex 12:13">ver. 13</scripRef>. 3.
The feast of unleavened bread for seven days following; this points
rather at what was to be done afterwards, in the observance of this
ordinance, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.14-Exod.12.20" parsed="|Exod|12|14|12|20" passage="Ex 12:14-20">ver. 14-20</scripRef>.
This institution is communicated to the people, and they are
instructed in the observance, (1.) Of this first passover,
<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.21-Exod.12.23" parsed="|Exod|12|21|12|23" passage="Ex 12:21-23">ver. 21-23</scripRef>. (2.) Of the
after passovers, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.24-Exod.12.27" parsed="|Exod|12|24|12|27" passage="Ex 12:24-27">ver.
24-27</scripRef>. And the Israelites' obedience to these orders,
<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.28" parsed="|Exod|12|28|0|0" passage="Ex 12:28">ver. 28</scripRef>. II. Not one of all
the providences of God concerning the Jewish church was more
illustrious, or is more frequently mentioned, than the deliverance
of the children of Israel out of Egypt. 1. The firstborn of the
Egyptians are slain, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.29-Exod.12.30" parsed="|Exod|12|29|12|30" passage="Ex 12:29,30">ver. 29,
30</scripRef>. 2. Orders are given immediately for their discharge,
<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p1.10" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.31-Exod.12.33" parsed="|Exod|12|31|12|33" passage="Ex 12:31-33">ver. 31-33</scripRef>. 3. They
begin their march. (1.) Loaded with their own effects, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p1.11" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.34" parsed="|Exod|12|34|0|0" passage="Ex 12:34">ver. 34</scripRef>. (2.) Enriched with the
spoils of Egypt, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p1.12" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.35-Exod.12.36" parsed="|Exod|12|35|12|36" passage="Ex 12:35,36">ver. 35,
36</scripRef>. (3.) Attended with a mixed multitude, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p1.13" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.37-Exod.12.38" parsed="|Exod|12|37|12|38" passage="Ex 12:37,38">ver. 37, 38</scripRef>. (4.) Put to their
shifts for present supply, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p1.14" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.39" parsed="|Exod|12|39|0|0" passage="Ex 12:39">ver.
39</scripRef>. The event is dated, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p1.15" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.40-Exod.12.42" parsed="|Exod|12|40|12|42" passage="Ex 12:40-42">ver. 40-42</scripRef>. Lastly, A recapitulation in
the close, [1.] Of this memorable ordinance, with some additions,
<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p1.16" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.43-Exod.12.49" parsed="|Exod|12|43|12|49" passage="Ex 12:43-49">ver. 43-49</scripRef>. [2.] Of this
memorable providence, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p1.17" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.50-Exod.12.51" parsed="|Exod|12|50|12|51" passage="Ex 12:50,51">ver. 50,
51</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Ex.xiii-p1.18" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12" parsed="|Exod|12|0|0|0" passage="Ex 12" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ex.xiii-p1.19" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.1-Exod.12.20" parsed="|Exod|12|1|12|20" passage="Ex 12:1-20" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.12.1-Exod.12.20">
<h4 id="Ex.xiii-p1.20">The Appointment of the Passover; the Feast
of Unleavened Bread. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiii-p1.21">b. c.</span> 1491.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ex.xiii-p2">1 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiii-p2.1">Lord</span>
spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,   2
This month <i>shall be</i> unto you the beginning of months: it
<i>shall be</i> the first month of the year to you.   3 Speak
ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth
<i>day</i> of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb,
according to the house of <i>their</i> fathers, a lamb for an
house:   4 And if the household be too little for the lamb,
let him and his neighbour next unto his house take <i>it</i>
according to the number of the souls; every man according to his
eating shall make your count for the lamb.   5 Your lamb shall
be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take
<i>it</i> out from the sheep, or from the goats:   6 And ye
shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and
the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in
the evening.   7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike
<i>it</i> on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the
houses, wherein they shall eat it.   8 And they shall eat the
flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread;
<i>and</i> with bitter <i>herbs</i> they shall eat it.   9 Eat
not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast <i>with</i>
fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.
  10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning;
and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with
fire.   11 And thus shall ye eat it; <i>with</i> your loins
girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and
ye shall eat it in haste: it <i>is</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiii-p2.2">Lord</span>'s passover.   12 For I will pass
through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the
firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all
the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I <i>am</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiii-p2.3">Lord</span>.   13 And the blood shall be to
you for a token upon the houses where ye <i>are:</i> and when I see
the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon
you to destroy <i>you,</i> when I smite the land of Egypt.  
14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep
it a feast to the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiii-p2.4">Lord</span> throughout
your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for
ever.   15 Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the
first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for
whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the
seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.   16 And
in the first day <i>there shall be</i> an holy convocation, and in
the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no
manner of work shall be done in them, save <i>that</i> which every
man must eat, that only may be done of you.   17 And ye shall
observe <i>the feast of</i> unleavened bread; for in this selfsame
day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore
shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for
ever.   18 In the first <i>month,</i> on the fourteenth day of
the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and
twentieth day of the month at even.   19 Seven days shall
there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that
which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the
congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the
land.   20 Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your
habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiii-p3">Moses and Aaron here <i>receive of the
Lord</i> what they were afterwards to <i>deliver to the people</i>
concerning the ordinance of the passover, to which is prefixed an
order for a new style to be observed in their months (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.1-Exod.12.2" parsed="|Exod|12|1|12|2" passage="Ex 12:1,2"><i>v.</i> 1, 2</scripRef>): <i>This shall be to
you the beginning of months.</i> They had hitherto begun their year
from the middle of September, but henceforward they were to begin
it from the middle of March, at least in all their ecclesiastical
computations. Note, It is good to begin the day, and begin the
year, and especially to begin our lives, with God. This new
calculation began the year with the spring, which <i>reneweth the
face of the earth,</i> and was used as a figure of the coming of
Christ, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Song.2.11-Song.2.12" parsed="|Song|2|11|2|12" passage="So 2:11,12">Cant. ii. 11, 12</scripRef>.
We may suppose that, while Moses was bringing the ten plagues upon
the Egyptians, he was directing the Israelites to prepare for their
departure at an hour's warning. Probably he had by degrees brought
them near together from their dispersions, for they are here
called <i>the congregation of Israel</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.3" parsed="|Exod|12|3|0|0" passage="Ex 12:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>), and to them as a congregation
orders are here sent. Their amazement and hurry, it is easy to
suppose, were great; yet now they must apply themselves to the
observance of a sacred rite, to the honour of God. Note, When our
heads are fullest of care, and our hands of business, yet we must
not forget our religion, nor suffer ourselves to be indisposed for
acts of devotion.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiii-p4">I. God appointed that on the night wherein
they were to go out of Egypt they should, in each of their
families, <i>kill a lamb,</i> or that two or three families, if
they were small, should join for a lamb. The lamb was to be got
ready four days before and that afternoon they were to <i>kill
it</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.6" parsed="|Exod|12|6|0|0" passage="Ex 12:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>) as a
sacrifice; not strictly, for it was not offered <i>upon the
altar,</i> but as a religious ceremony, acknowledging God's
goodness to them, not only in preserving them from, but in
delivering them by, the plagues inflicted on the Egyptians. See the
antiquity of family-religion; and see the convenience of the
joining of small families together for religious worship, that it
may be made the more solemn.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiii-p5">II. The lamb so slain they were to eat,
roasted (we may suppose, in its several quarters), with unleavened
bread and bitter herbs, because they were to eat it <i>in haste</i>
(<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.11" parsed="|Exod|12|11|0|0" passage="Ex 12:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>), and to
leave none of it until the morning; for God would have them to
depend upon him for their daily bread, and not to take thought for
the morrow. He that led them would feed them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiii-p6">III. Before they ate the flesh of the lamb,
they were to sprinkle the blood upon the doorposts, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.7" parsed="|Exod|12|7|0|0" passage="Ex 12:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. By this their houses were
to be distinguished from the houses of the Egyptians, and so their
first-born secured from the sword of the destroying angel,
<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.12-Exod.12.13" parsed="|Exod|12|12|12|13" passage="Ex 12:12,13"><i>v.</i> 12, 13</scripRef>.
Dreadful work was to be made this night in Egypt; all the
first-born both of man and beast were to be slain, and judgment
executed upon the gods of Egypt. Moses does not mention the
fulfillment, in this chapter, yet he speaks of it <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.33.4" parsed="|Num|33|4|0|0" passage="Nu 33:4">Num. xxxiii. 4</scripRef>. It is very probable
that the idols which the Egyptians worshipped were destroyed, those
of metal melted, those of wood consumed, and those of stone broken
to pieces, whence Jethro infers (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p6.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.11" parsed="|Exod|18|11|0|0" passage="Ex 18:11"><i>ch.</i> xviii. 11</scripRef>), <i>The Lord is greater
than all gods.</i> The same angel that destroyed their first-born
demolished their idols, which were no less dear to them. For the
protection of Israel from this plague they were ordered to sprinkle
the blood of the lamb upon the door-posts, their doing which would
be accepted as an instance of their faith in the divine warnings
and their obedience to the divine precepts. Note, 1. If in times of
common calamity God will secure his own people, and set a mark upon
them; they shall be hidden either in heaven or under heaven,
preserved either from the stroke of judgments or at least from the
sting of them. 2. The blood of sprinkling is the saint's security
in times of common calamity; it is this that marks them for God,
pacifies conscience, and gives them boldness of access to the
throne of grace, and so becomes a wall of protection round them and
a wall of partition between them and the children of this
world.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiii-p7">IV. This was to be annually observed as a
feast of the Lord in their generations, to which the <i>feast of
unleavened bread</i> was annexed, during which, for seven days,
they were to eat no bread but what was unleavened, in remembrance
of their being confined to such bread, of necessity, for many days
after they came out of Egypt, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.14-Exod.12.20" parsed="|Exod|12|14|12|20" passage="Ex 12:14-20"><i>v.</i> 14-20</scripRef>. The appointment is
inculcated for their better direction, and that they might not
mistake concerning it, and to awaken those who perhaps in Egypt had
grown generally very stupid and careless in the matters of religion
to a diligent observance of the institution. Now, without doubt,
there was much of the gospel in this ordinance; it is often
referred to in the New Testament, and, in it, to us is <i>the
gospel preached,</i> and <i>not to them only,</i> who <i>could not
stedfastly look to the end of these things,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Heb.4.2 Bible:2Cor.3.13" parsed="|Heb|4|2|0|0;|2Cor|3|13|0|0" passage="Heb 4:2,2Co 3:13">Heb. iv. 2; 2 Cor. iii. 13</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiii-p8">1. The paschal lamb was typical. Christ is
<i>our Passover,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.5.7" parsed="|1Cor|5|7|0|0" passage="1Co 5:7">1 Cor. v.
7</scripRef>. (1.) It was to be a <i>lamb;</i> and Christ is <i>the
Lamb of God</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:John.1.29" parsed="|John|1|29|0|0" passage="Joh 1:29">John i.
29</scripRef>), often in the Revelation called the <i>Lamb,</i>
meek and innocent as a lamb, dumb before the shearers, before the
butchers. (2.) It was to be a <i>male of the first year</i>
(<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.5" parsed="|Exod|12|5|0|0" passage="Ex 12:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>), in its prime;
Christ offered up himself in the midst of his days, not in infancy
with the babes of Bethlehem. It denotes the strength and
sufficiency of the Lord Jesus, on whom our help was laid. (3.) It
was to be <i>without blemish</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.5" parsed="|Exod|12|5|0|0" passage="Ex 12:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>), denoting the purity of the Lord
Jesus, a Lamb <i>without spot,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p8.5" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.1.19" parsed="|1Pet|1|19|0|0" passage="1Pe 1:19">1
Pet. i. 19</scripRef>. The judge that condemned him (as if his
trial were only like the scrutiny that was made concerning the
sacrifices, whether they were without blemish or no) pronounced him
innocent. (4.) It was to be set apart four days before (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p8.6" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.3 Bible:Exod.12.6" parsed="|Exod|12|3|0|0;|Exod|12|6|0|0" passage="Ex 12:3,6"><i>v.</i> 3, 6</scripRef>), denoting the
designation of the Lord Jesus to be a Saviour, both in the purpose
and in the promise. It is very observable that as Christ was
crucified at the passover, so he solemnly entered into Jerusalem
four days before, the very day that the paschal lamb was set apart.
(5.) It was to be <i>slain,</i> and <i>roasted with fire</i>
(<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p8.7" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.6-Exod.12.9" parsed="|Exod|12|6|12|9" passage="Ex 12:6-9"><i>v.</i> 6-9</scripRef>), denoting
the exquisite sufferings of the Lord Jesus, even unto death, 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>
(<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p8.8" osisRef="Bible:Heb.9.26" parsed="|Heb|9|26|0|0" passage="Heb 9:26">Heb. ix. 26</scripRef>), by the hand
of the Jews, the whole multitude of them (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p8.9" osisRef="Bible:Luke.23.18" parsed="|Luke|23|18|0|0" passage="Lu 23:18">Luke xxiii. 18</scripRef>), and for the good of all his
spiritual Israel. (7.) Not <i>a bone of it must be broken</i>
(<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p8.10" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.46" parsed="|Exod|12|46|0|0" passage="Ex 12:46"><i>v.</i> 46</scripRef>), which is
expressly said to be fulfilled in Christ (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p8.11" osisRef="Bible:John.19.33 Bible:John.19.36" parsed="|John|19|33|0|0;|John|19|36|0|0" passage="Joh 19:33,36">John xix. 33, 36</scripRef>), denoting the unbroken
strength of the Lord Jesus.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiii-p9">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>
<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Rom.5.11" parsed="|Rom|5|11|0|0" passage="Ro 5:11">Rom. v. 11</scripRef>. (2.) It was to
be sprinkled with <i>a bunch of hyssop</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.22" parsed="|Exod|12|22|0|0" passage="Ex 12:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>) <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> <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Rev.7.3" parsed="|Rev|7|3|0|0" passage="Re 7:3">Rev. vii.
3</scripRef>. There is a back-way to hell, but no back-way to
heaven; no, the only way to this is a high-way, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.35.8" parsed="|Isa|35|8|0|0" passage="Isa 35:8">Isa. xxxv. 8</scripRef>. (4.) It was to be sprinkled
upon the <i>lintel</i> and the <i>sideposts,</i> but not upon the
<i>threshold</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.7" parsed="|Exod|12|7|0|0" passage="Ex 12:7"><i>v.</i>
7</scripRef>), which cautions us to take heed of trampling under
foot the blood of the covenant, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p9.6" osisRef="Bible:Heb.10.29" parsed="|Heb|10|29|0|0" passage="Heb 10:29">Heb.
x. 29</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p9.7" osisRef="Bible:Rom.8.1" parsed="|Rom|8|1|0|0" passage="Ro 8:1">Rom. viii. 1</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiii-p10">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 <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:John.6.53-John.6.55" parsed="|John|6|53|6|55" passage="Joh 6:53-55">John vi. 53-55</scripRef>. (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, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.10" parsed="|Exod|12|10|0|0" passage="Ex 12:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. <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> (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.8" parsed="|Exod|12|8|0|0" passage="Ex 12:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>), 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 (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.11" parsed="|Exod|12|11|0|0" passage="Ex 12:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>); 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, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p10.5" osisRef="Bible:Heb.13.13-Heb.13.14" parsed="|Heb|13|13|13|14" passage="Heb 13:13,14">Heb. xiii. 13,
14</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiii-p11">4. The feast of unleavened bread was
typical of the Christian life, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.5.7-1Cor.5.8" parsed="|1Cor|5|7|5|8" passage="1Co 5:7,8">1 Cor.
v. 7, 8</scripRef>. 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> (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.16" parsed="|Exod|12|16|0|0" passage="Ex 12:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>), 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> <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.19" parsed="|Exod|12|19|0|0" passage="Ex 12:19"><i>v.</i>
19</scripRef>. 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> (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.17" parsed="|Exod|12|17|0|0" passage="Ex 12:17"><i>v.</i>
17</scripRef>); 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>
</div><scripCom id="Ex.xiii-p11.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.21-Exod.12.28" parsed="|Exod|12|21|12|28" passage="Ex 12:21-28" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.12.21-Exod.12.28">
<h4 id="Ex.xiii-p11.6">The Passover. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiii-p11.7">b. c.</span> 1491.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ex.xiii-p12">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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiii-p12.1">Lord</span> will pass through to
smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel,
and on the two side posts, the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiii-p12.2">Lord</span>
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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiii-p12.3">Lord</span> 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiii-p12.4">Lord</span>'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
<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiii-p12.5">Lord</span> had commanded Moses and Aaron,
so did they.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiii-p13">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 class="indent" id="Ex.xiii-p14">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, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.22" parsed="|Exod|12|22|0|0" passage="Ex 12:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>. 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 <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.26.20-Isa.26.21" parsed="|Isa|26|20|26|21" passage="Isa 26:20,21">Isa. xxvi. 20, 21</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Ex.xiii-p15">2. That hereafter they should carefully
teach their children the meaning of this service, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.26-Exod.12.27" parsed="|Exod|12|26|12|27" passage="Ex 12:26,27"><i>v.</i> 26, 27</scripRef>. Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiii-p16">(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> <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.46" parsed="|Luke|2|46|0|0" passage="Lu 2:46">Luke ii. 46</scripRef>.
[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 class="indent" id="Ex.xiii-p17">(2.) The answer which the parents were to
return to this question (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.27" parsed="|Exod|12|27|0|0" passage="Ex 12:27"><i>v.</i>
27</scripRef>): <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> (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Amos.7.8 Bible:Amos.8.2" parsed="|Amos|7|8|0|0;|Amos|8|2|0|0" passage="Am 7:8,8:2">Amos vii. 8; viii. 2</scripRef>), 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, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.91.7" parsed="|Ps|91|7|0|0" passage="Ps 91:7">Ps. xci. 7</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Ex.xiii-p18">II. The people received these instructions
with reverence and ready obedience. 1. They <i>bowed the head and
worshipped</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.27" parsed="|Exod|12|27|0|0" passage="Ex 12:27"><i>v.</i>
27</scripRef>): 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, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.23" parsed="|Exod|12|23|0|0" passage="Ex 12:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>. Here was none of that
discontent and murmuring among them which we read of, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p18.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.5.20-Exod.5.21" parsed="|Exod|5|20|5|21" passage="Ex 5:20,21"><i>ch.</i> v. 20, 21</scripRef>. 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>
</div><scripCom id="Ex.xiii-p18.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.29-Exod.12.36" parsed="|Exod|12|29|12|36" passage="Ex 12:29-36" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.12.29-Exod.12.36">
<h4 id="Ex.xiii-p18.5">The Death of the Firstborn. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiii-p18.6">b. c.</span> 1491.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ex.xiii-p19">29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiii-p19.1">Lord</span> 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiii-p19.2">Lord</span>, 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiii-p19.3">Lord</span> 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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiii-p20">Here we have, I. The Egyptians' sons, even
their first-born, slain, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.29-Exod.12.30" parsed="|Exod|12|29|12|30" passage="Ex 12:29,30"><i>v.</i>
29, 30</scripRef>. 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 (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.24.15" parsed="|2Sam|24|15|0|0" passage="2Sa 24:15">2
Sam. xxiv. 15</scripRef>), which made it the less frightful; but
the destruction of Egypt was by a <i>pestilence walking in
darkness,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p20.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.91.6" parsed="|Ps|91|6|0|0" passage="Ps 91:6">Ps. xci. 6</scripRef>.
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 <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p20.4" osisRef="Bible:Job.34.19-Job.34.20" parsed="|Job|34|19|34|20" passage="Job 34:19,20">Job
xxxiv. 19, 20</scripRef>. 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>
<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p20.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.119.120" parsed="|Ps|119|120|0|0" passage="Ps 119:120">Ps. cxix. 120</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Ex.xiii-p21">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> (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.31" parsed="|Exod|12|31|0|0" passage="Ex 12:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>), and <i>take your flocks as you
have said,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.32" parsed="|Exod|12|32|0|0" passage="Ex 12:32"><i>v.</i>
32</scripRef>. 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> <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p21.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.31" parsed="|Exod|12|31|0|0" passage="Ex 12:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>. 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
(<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p21.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.32" parsed="|Exod|12|32|0|0" passage="Ex 12:32"><i>v.</i> 32</scripRef>): "<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 (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p21.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.33" parsed="|Exod|12|33|0|0" passage="Ex 12:33"><i>v.</i>
33</scripRef>), <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, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p21.6" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.35-Exod.12.36" parsed="|Exod|12|35|12|36" passage="Ex 12:35,36"><i>v.</i> 35,
36</scripRef>. When the Egyptians urged them to be gone, it was
easy for them 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, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p21.7" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.6.3 Bible:1Sam.6.6" parsed="|1Sam|6|3|0|0;|1Sam|6|6|0|0" passage="1Sa 6:3,6">1 Sam. vi. 3, 6</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p21.8" osisRef="Bible:Ps.146.7" parsed="|Ps|146|7|0|0" passage="Ps 146:7">Ps. cxlvi. 7</scripRef>. Hence
it is that the <i>wealth of the sinner</i> often proves to be
<i>laid up for the just,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p21.9" osisRef="Bible:Prov.13.22 Bible:Job.27.16-Job.27.17" parsed="|Prov|13|22|0|0;|Job|27|16|27|17" passage="Pr 13:22,Job 27:16,17">Prov. xiii. 22; Job xxvii. 16,
17</scripRef>.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ex.xiii-p21.10" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.37-Exod.12.42" parsed="|Exod|12|37|12|42" passage="Ex 12:37-42" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.12.37-Exod.12.42">
<h4 id="Ex.xiii-p21.11">Departure of the Israelites. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiii-p21.12">b. c.</span> 1491.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ex.xiii-p22">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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiii-p22.1">Lord</span> went out from the land of Egypt.
  42 It <i>is</i> a night to be much observed unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiii-p22.2">Lord</span> for bringing them out from the land
of Egypt: this <i>is</i> that night of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiii-p22.3">Lord</span> to be observed of all the children of
Israel in their generations.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiii-p23">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 (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.37" parsed="|Exod|12|37|0|0" passage="Ex 12:37"><i>v.</i> 37</scripRef>),
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 (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p23.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.38" parsed="|Exod|12|38|0|0" passage="Ex 12:38"><i>v.</i> 38</scripRef>):
<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, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p23.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.78.12" parsed="|Ps|78|12|0|0" passage="Ps 78:12">Ps. lxxviii. 12</scripRef>. 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 (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p23.4" osisRef="Bible:Num.11.4" parsed="|Num|11|4|0|0" passage="Nu 11:4">Num.
xi. 4</scripRef>), 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, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p23.5" osisRef="Bible:Gen.46.32" parsed="|Gen|46|32|0|0" passage="Ge 46:32">Gen. xlvi.
32</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p23.6" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.34" parsed="|Exod|12|34|0|0" passage="Ex 12:34"><i>v.</i>
34</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p23.7" osisRef="Bible:Gal.3.17" parsed="|Gal|3|17|0|0" passage="Ga 3:17">Gal. iii. 17</scripRef>) 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, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p23.8" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12.2" parsed="|Gen|12|2|0|0" passage="Ge 12:2">Gen. xii. 2</scripRef>, <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> <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p23.9" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.42" parsed="|Exod|12|42|0|0" passage="Ex 12:42"><i>v.</i>
42</scripRef>. (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>
</div><scripCom id="Ex.xiii-p23.10" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.43-Exod.12.51" parsed="|Exod|12|43|12|51" passage="Ex 12:43-51" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.12.43-Exod.12.51">
<h4 id="Ex.xiii-p23.11">Directions Concerning the
Passover. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiii-p23.12">b. c.</span> 1491.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ex.xiii-p24">43 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiii-p24.1">Lord</span>
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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiii-p24.2">Lord</span>, 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiii-p24.3">Lord</span>
commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.   51 And it came to
pass the selfsame day, <i>that</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiii-p24.4">Lord</span> did bring the children of Israel out of the
land of Egypt by their armies.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiii-p25">Some further precepts are here given
concerning the passover, as it should be observed in times to
come.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiii-p26">I. <i>All the congregation of Israel must
keep it,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p26.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.47" parsed="|Exod|12|47|0|0" passage="Ex 12:47"><i>v.</i> 47</scripRef>.
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,
<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p26.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.43 Bible:Exod.12.45 Bible:Exod.12.48" parsed="|Exod|12|43|0|0;|Exod|12|45|0|0;|Exod|12|48|0|0" passage="Ex 12:43,45,48"><i>v.</i> 43, 45, 48</scripRef>.
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, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p26.3" osisRef="Bible:Col.2.11" parsed="|Col|2|11|0|0" passage="Col 2:11">Col. ii. 11</scripRef>. 2. Any stranger that was
circumcised might be welcome to eat of the passover, even
<i>servants,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p26.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.44" parsed="|Exod|12|44|0|0" passage="Ex 12:44"><i>v.</i>
44</scripRef>. If, by circumcision, they would make themselves
debtors to the law in its burdens, they were welcome to share in
the joy of its solemn feasts, and not otherwise. Only it is
intimated (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p26.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.48" parsed="|Exod|12|48|0|0" passage="Ex 12:48"><i>v.</i> 48</scripRef>)
that those who were masters of families must not only be
circumcised themselves, but have all their males circumcised, too.
If in sincerity, and with that zeal which the thing required and
deserves, we give up ourselves to God, we shall, with ourselves,
give up all we have to him, and do our utmost that all ours may be
his too. Here is an early indication of favour to the poor
Gentiles, that the stranger, if circumcised, stands upon the same
level with the home-born Israelite. <i>One law</i> for both,
<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p26.6" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.49" parsed="|Exod|12|49|0|0" passage="Ex 12:49"><i>v.</i> 49</scripRef>. This was a
mortification to the Jews, and taught them that it was their
dedication to God, not their descent from Abraham, that entitled
them to their privileges. A sincere proselyte was as welcome to the
passover as a native Israelite, <scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p26.7" osisRef="Bible:Isa.56.6-Isa.56.7" parsed="|Isa|56|6|56|7" passage="Isa 56:6,7">Isa.
lvi. 6, 7</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiii-p27">II. <i>In one house shall it be eaten</i>
(<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p27.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.46" parsed="|Exod|12|46|0|0" passage="Ex 12:46"><i>v.</i> 46</scripRef>), for
good-fellowship sake, that they might rejoice together, and edify
one another in the eating of it. None of it must be carried to
another 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 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 papists' carrying their consecrated host
from house to house is not only superstitious in itself, but
contrary to this typical law of the passover, which directed that
no part of the lamb should be carried abroad.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiii-p28">The chapter concludes with a repetition of
the whole matter, that the children of Israel did as they were
bidden, and God did for them as he promised (<scripRef id="Ex.xiii-p28.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.12.50-Exod.12.51" parsed="|Exod|12|50|12|51" passage="Ex 12:50,51"><i>v.</i> 50, 51</scripRef>); for he will certainly
be the author of salvation to those that obey him.</p>
</div></div2>