mh_parser/vol_split/2 - Exodus/Chapter 13.xml

<div2 id="Ex.xiv" n="xiv" next="Ex.xv" prev="Ex.xiii" progress="37.15%" title="Chapter XIII">
<h2 id="Ex.xiv-p0.1">E X O D U S</h2>
<h3 id="Ex.xiv-p0.2">CHAP. XIII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Ex.xiv-p1">In this chapter we have, I. The commands God gave
to Israel, 1. To sanctify all their firstborn to him, <scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.1-Exod.13.2" parsed="|Exod|13|1|13|2" passage="Ex 13:1,2">ver. 1, 2</scripRef>. 2. To be sure to remember
their deliverance out of Egypt (<scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.3-Exod.13.4" parsed="|Exod|13|3|13|4" passage="Ex 13:3,4">v. 3,
4</scripRef>), and, in remembrance of it, to keep the feast of
unleavened bread, <scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.5-Exod.13.7" parsed="|Exod|13|5|13|7" passage="Ex 13:5-7">ver.
5-7</scripRef>. 3. To transmit the knowledge of it with all
possible care to their children, <scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.8-Exod.13.10" parsed="|Exod|13|8|13|10" passage="Ex 13:8-10">ver. 8-10</scripRef>. 4. To set apart unto God the
firstlings of their cattle, (<scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.11-Exod.13.13" parsed="|Exod|13|11|13|13" passage="Ex 13:11-13">ver.
11-13</scripRef>), and to explain that also to their children,
<scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.14-Exod.13.16" parsed="|Exod|13|14|13|16" passage="Ex 13:14-16">ver. 14-16</scripRef>. II. The care
God took of Israel, when he had brought them out of Egypt. 1.
Choosing their way for them, <scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.17-Exod.13.18" parsed="|Exod|13|17|13|18" passage="Ex 13:17,18">ver.
17, 18</scripRef>. 2. Guiding them in the way, <scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.20-Exod.13.22" parsed="|Exod|13|20|13|22" passage="Ex 13:20-22">ver. 20-22</scripRef>. And III. Their care of
Joseph's bones, <scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.19" parsed="|Exod|13|19|0|0" passage="Ex 13:19">ver.
19</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Ex.xiv-p1.10" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13" parsed="|Exod|13|0|0|0" passage="Ex 13" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ex.xiv-p1.11" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.1-Exod.13.10" parsed="|Exod|13|1|13|10" passage="Ex 13:1-10" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.13.1-Exod.13.10">
<h4 id="Ex.xiv-p1.12">The Sanctification of the
Firstborn. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiv-p1.13">b. c.</span> 1491.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ex.xiv-p2">1 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiv-p2.1">Lord</span>
spake unto Moses, saying,   2 Sanctify unto me all the
firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of
Israel, <i>both</i> of man and of beast: it <i>is</i> mine.  
3 And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye
came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength
of hand the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiv-p2.2">Lord</span> brought you out
from this <i>place:</i> there shall no leavened bread be eaten.
  4 This day came ye out in the month Abib.   5 And it
shall be when the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiv-p2.3">Lord</span> shall bring
thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the
Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he sware unto
thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that
thou shalt keep this service in this month.   6 Seven days
thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day <i>shall
be</i> a feast to the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiv-p2.4">Lord</span>.   7
Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no
leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven
seen with thee in all thy quarters.   8 And thou shalt show
thy son in that day, saying, <i>This is done</i> because of that
<i>which</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiv-p2.5">Lord</span> did unto me
when I came forth out of Egypt.   9 And it shall be for a sign
unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes,
that the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiv-p2.6">Lord</span>'s law may be in thy
mouth: for with a strong hand hath the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiv-p2.7">Lord</span> brought thee out of Egypt.   10 Thou
shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to
year.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiv-p3">Care is here taken to perpetuate the
remembrance,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiv-p4">I. Of the preservation of Israel's
firstborn, when the firstborn of the Egyptians were slain. In
memory of that distinguishing favour, and in gratitude for it, the
firstborn, in all ages, were to be consecrated to God, as his
peculiars (<scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.2" parsed="|Exod|13|2|0|0" passage="Ex 13:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>), and
to be redeemed, <scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.13" parsed="|Exod|13|13|0|0" passage="Ex 13:13"><i>v.</i>
13</scripRef>. God, who by the right of creation is proprietor and
sovereign of all the creatures, here lays claim in particular to
the firstborn of the Israelites, by right of protection:
<i>Sanctify to me all the firstborn.</i> The parents were not to
look upon themselves as interested in their firstborn, till they
had first solemnly presented them to God, recognized his title to
them, and received them back, at a certain rate, from him again.
Note, 1. That which is by special distinguishing mercy spared to us
should be in a peculiar manner dedicated to God's honour; at least
some grateful acknowledgment, in works of piety and charity, should
be made, when our lives, or the lives of our children, have been
given us for a prey. 2. God, who is the first and best, should have
the first and best, and to him we should resign that which is most
dear to us, and most valuable. The firstborn were the joy and hope
of their families. Therefore <i>they shall be mine,</i> says God.
By this it will appear that we love God best (as we ought) if we
are willing to part with that to him which we love best in this
world. 3. It is the <i>church of the firstborn</i> that is
sanctified to God, <scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Heb.12.23" parsed="|Heb|12|23|0|0" passage="Heb 12:23">Heb. xii.
23</scripRef>. Christ it the <i>firstborn among many brethren</i>
(<scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:Rom.8.29" parsed="|Rom|8|29|0|0" passage="Ro 8:29">Rom. viii. 29</scripRef>), and, by
virtue of their union with him, all that are born again, and born
from above, are accounted as firstborn. There is an <i>excellency
of dignity and power</i> belonging to them; and, <i>if children,
then heirs.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiv-p5">II. The remembrance of their coming out of
Egypt must also be perpetuated: "<i>Remember this day,</i>
<scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.3" parsed="|Exod|13|3|0|0" passage="Ex 13:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. Remember it by
a good token, as the most remarkable day of your lives, the
birthday of your nation, or the day of its coming of age, to be no
longer under the rod." Thus the day of Christ's resurrection is to
be remembered, for in it we were raised up with Christ out of
death's <i>house of bondage.</i> The scripture tells us not
expressly what day of the <i>year</i> Christ rose (as Moses told
the Israelites what day of the year they were brought out of Egypt,
that they might remember it yearly), but very particularly what day
of the <i>week</i> it was, plainly intimating that, as the more
valuable deliverance, and of greater importance, it should be
remembered <i>weekly.</i> Remember it, for <i>by strength of hand
the Lord brought you out.</i> Note, The more of God and his power
appears in any deliverance, the more memorable it is. Now, that it
might be remembered,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiv-p6">1. They must be sure to <i>keep the feast
of unleavened bread,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.5-Exod.13.7" parsed="|Exod|13|5|13|7" passage="Ex 13:5-7"><i>v.</i>
5-7</scripRef>. It was not enough that they remembered it, but they
must celebrate the memorial of it in that way which God had
appointed, and use the instituted means of preserving the
remembrance of it. So, under the gospel, we must not only remember
Christ, but <i>do this in remembrance</i> of him. Observe, How
strict the prohibition of leaven is (<scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.7" parsed="|Exod|13|7|0|0" passage="Ex 13:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>); not only no leaven must be
eaten, but none must be seen, no, not in all their quarters.
Accordingly, the Jews' usage was, before the feast of the passover,
to cast all the leavened bread out of their houses: they burnt it,
or buried it, or broke it small and scattered it in the wind; they
searched diligently with lighted candles in all the corners of
their houses, lest any leaven should remain. The care and
strictness enjoined in this matter were designed, (1.) To make the
feast the more solemn, and consequently the more taken notice of by
their children, who would ask, "Why is so much ado made?" (2.) To
teach us how solicitous we should be to put away from us all sin,
<scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.5.7" parsed="|1Cor|5|7|0|0" passage="1Co 5:7">1 Cor. v. 7</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiv-p7">2. They must instruct their children in the
meaning of it, and relate to them the story of their deliverance
out of Egypt, <scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.8" parsed="|Exod|13|8|0|0" passage="Ex 13:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>.
Note, (1.) Care must be taken betimes to instruct children in the
knowledge of God. Here is an ancient law for catechising. (2.) It
is particularly of great use to acquaint children betimes with the
stories of the scripture, and to make them familiar to them. (3.)
It is a debt we owe to the honour of God, and to the benefit of our
children's souls, to tell them of the great works God has done for
his church, both those which we have seen with our eyes done in our
day and which we have heard with our ears and our fathers have told
us: <i>Thou shalt show thy son in that day</i> (the day of the
feast) these things. When they were celebrating the ordinance, they
must explain it. <i>Every thing is beautiful in its season.</i> The
passover is appointed <i>for a sign, and for a memorial,</i> that
<i>the Lord's law may be in thy mouth.</i> Note, We must retain the
remembrance of God's works, that we may remain under the influence
of God's law. And those that have God's law in their heart should
have it in their mouth, and be often speaking of it, the more to
affect themselves and to instruct others.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ex.xiv-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13" parsed="|Exod|13|0|0|0" passage="Ex 13" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ex.xiv-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.11-Exod.13.16" parsed="|Exod|13|11|13|16" passage="Ex 13:11-16" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.13.11-Exod.13.16">
<h4 id="Ex.xiv-p7.4">God's Claim upon the
Firstborn. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiv-p7.5">b. c.</span> 1491.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ex.xiv-p8">11 And it shall be when the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiv-p8.1">Lord</span> shall bring thee into the land of the
Canaanites, as he sware unto thee and to thy fathers, and shall
give it thee,   12 That thou shalt set apart unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiv-p8.2">Lord</span> all that openeth the matrix, and
every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males
<i>shall be</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiv-p8.3">Lord</span>'s.  
13 And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and
if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all
the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.  
14 And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come,
saying, What <i>is</i> this? that thou shalt say unto him, By
strength of hand the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiv-p8.4">Lord</span> brought us
out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:   15 And it came to
pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiv-p8.5">Lord</span> slew all the firstborn in the land of
Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast:
therefore I sacrifice to the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiv-p8.6">Lord</span>
all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of
my children I redeem.   16 And it shall be for a token upon
thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength
of hand the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiv-p8.7">Lord</span> brought us forth
out of Egypt.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiv-p9">Here we have,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiv-p10">I. Further directions concerning the
dedicating of their firstborn to God. 1. The firstlings of their
cattle were to be dedicated to God, as part of their possessions.
Those of clean beasts—calves, lambs, and kids—if males, were to
be sacrificed, <scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.22.30 Bible:Num.18.17-Num.18.18" parsed="|Exod|22|30|0|0;|Num|18|17|18|18" passage="Ex 22:30,Nu 18:17,18">Exod. xxii.
30; Num. xviii. 17, 18</scripRef>. Those of unclean beasts, as
colts, were to be redeemed with a lamb, or knocked on the head. For
whatsoever is unclean (as we all are by nature), if it be not
redeemed, will be destroyed, <scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.11 Bible:Exod.13.13" parsed="|Exod|13|11|0|0;|Exod|13|13|0|0" passage="Ex 13:11,13"><i>v.</i> 11, 13</scripRef>. 2. The firstborn of
their children were to be redeemed, and by no means sacrificed, as
the Gentiles sacrificed their children to Moloch. The price of the
redemption of the firstborn was fixed by the law (<scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.18.16" parsed="|Num|18|16|0|0" passage="Nu 18:16">Num. xviii. 16</scripRef>) at <i>five
shekels.</i> We were all obnoxious to the wrath and curse of God;
by the blood of Christ we are redeemed, that we may be joined to
the <i>church of the firstborn.</i> They were to redeem their
children, as well as the firstlings of the unclean beasts, for our
children are by nature polluted. <i>Who can bring a clean thing out
of an unclean?</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiv-p11">II. Further directions concerning the
catechising of their children, and all those of the rising
generation, from time to time, in this matter. It is supposed that,
when they saw all the firstlings thus devoted, they would ask the
meaning of it, and their parents and teachers must tell them
(<scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.14-Exod.13.16" parsed="|Exod|13|14|13|16" passage="Ex 13:14-16"><i>v.</i> 14-16</scripRef>) that
God's special propriety in their firstborn, and all their
firstlings, was founded in his special preservation of them from
the sword of the destroying angel. Being thus delivered, they must
serve him. Note, 1. Children should be directed and encouraged to
ask their parents questions concerning the things of God, a
practice which would be perhaps of all others the most profitable
way of catechising; and parents must furnish themselves with useful
knowledge, that they may be ready always to give an answer to their
enquiries. If ever the <i>knowledge of God cover the earth,</i> as
the waters do the sea, the fountains of family-instruction must
first be broken up. 2. We should all be able to show cause for what
we do in religion. As sacraments are sanctified by the word, so
they must be explained and understood by it. God's service is
reasonable, and it is then acceptable when we perform it
intelligently, knowing what we do and why we do it. 3. It must be
observed how often it is said in this chapter that <i>by strength
of hand</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.3 Bible:Exod.13.14 Bible:Exod.13.16" parsed="|Exod|13|3|0|0;|Exod|13|14|0|0;|Exod|13|16|0|0" passage="Ex 13:3,14,16"><i>v.</i> 3, 14,
16</scripRef>), <i>with a strong hand</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.9" parsed="|Exod|13|9|0|0" passage="Ex 13:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>), the Lord brought them out of
Egypt. The more opposition is given to the accomplishment of God's
purposes the more is his power magnified therein. It is a strong
hand that conquers hard hearts. Sometimes God is said to work
deliverance <i>not by might nor power</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:Zech.4.6" parsed="|Zech|4|6|0|0" passage="Zec 4:6">Zech. iv. 6</scripRef>), not by such visible displays of
his power as that recorded here. 4. Their posterity that should be
born in Canaan are directed to say, <i>The Lord brought us out of
Egypt,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p11.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.14 Bible:Exod.13.16" parsed="|Exod|13|14|0|0;|Exod|13|16|0|0" passage="Ex 13:14,16"><i>v.</i> 14,
16</scripRef>. Mercies to our fathers are mercies to us; we reap
the benefit of them, and therefore must keep up a grateful
remembrance of them. We stand upon the bottom of former
deliverances, and were in the loins of our ancestors when they were
delivered. Much more reason have we to say that in the death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ we were redeemed.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ex.xiv-p11.6" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13" parsed="|Exod|13|0|0|0" passage="Ex 13" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ex.xiv-p11.7" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.17-Exod.13.22" parsed="|Exod|13|17|13|22" passage="Ex 13:17-22" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.13.17-Exod.13.22">
<h4 id="Ex.xiv-p11.8">The Pillar of Fire and Fire. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiv-p11.9">b. c.</span> 1491.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ex.xiv-p12">17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the
people go, that God led them not <i>through</i> the way of the land
of the Philistines, although that <i>was</i> near; for God said,
Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they
return to Egypt:   18 But God led the people about,
<i>through</i> the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the
children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.
  19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had
straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely
visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.
  20 And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in
Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.   21 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xiv-p12.1">Lord</span> went before them by day in a pillar
of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire,
to give them light; to go by day and night:   22 He took not
away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by
night, <i>from</i> before the people.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiv-p13">Here is, I. The choice God made of their
way, <scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.17-Exod.13.18" parsed="|Exod|13|17|13|18" passage="Ex 13:17,18"><i>v.</i> 17, 18</scripRef>.
He was their guide. Moses gave them direction but as he received it
from the Lord. Note, The way of man is not in himself, <scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Jer.10.23" parsed="|Jer|10|23|0|0" passage="Jer 10:23">Jer. x. 23</scripRef>. He may <i>devise his
way,</i> and design it; but, after all, it is God that <i>directs
his steps,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.16.9" parsed="|Prov|16|9|0|0" passage="Pr 16:9">Prov. xvi. 9</scripRef>.
Man proposes, but God disposes, and in his disposal we must
acquiesce, and set ourselves to follow providence. There were two
ways from Egypt to Canaan. One was a short cut from the north of
Egypt to the south of Canaan, perhaps about four or five days'
journey; the other was much further about, through the wilderness,
and that was the way in which God chose to lead his people Israel,
<scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p13.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.18" parsed="|Exod|13|18|0|0" passage="Ex 13:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>. 1. There were
many reasons why God led them <i>through the way of the wilderness
of the Red Sea.</i> The Egyptians were to be drowned in the Red
Sea. The Israelites were to be humbled and proved in the
wilderness, <scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p13.5" osisRef="Bible:Deut.8.2" parsed="|Deut|8|2|0|0" passage="De 8:2">Deut. viii. 2</scripRef>.
God had given it to Moses for a sign (<scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p13.6" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.12" parsed="|Exod|3|12|0|0" passage="Ex 3:12"><i>ch.</i> iii. 12</scripRef>), <i>You shall serve God in
this mountain.</i> They had again and again told Pharaoh that they
must go <i>three days' journey into the wilderness to do
sacrifice,</i> and therefore it was requisite that they should bend
their march that way, else they would justly have been exclaimed
against as notorious dissemblers. Before they entered the lists
with their enemies, matters must be settled between them and their
God, laws must be given, ordinances instituted, covenants sealed,
and the original contract ratified, for the doing of which it was
necessary that they should retire into the solitudes of a
wilderness, the only closet for such a crowd; the high road would
be no proper place for these transactions. It is said (<scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p13.7" osisRef="Bible:Deut.32.10" parsed="|Deut|32|10|0|0" passage="De 32:10">Deut. xxxii. 10</scripRef>), <i>He led them
about,</i> some hundreds of miles about, and yet (<scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p13.8" osisRef="Bible:Ps.107.7" parsed="|Ps|107|7|0|0" passage="Ps 107:7">Ps. cvii. 7</scripRef>), <i>He led them forth by
the right way.</i> God's way is the right way, though it seem
<i>about.</i> If we think he leads not his people the nearest way,
yet we may be sure he leads them the best way, and so it will
appear when we come to our journey's end. <i>Judge nothing before
the time.</i> 2. There was one reason why God did not lead them the
nearest way, which would have brought them after a few days' march
to <i>the land of the Philistines</i> (for it was that part of
Canaan that lay next to Egypt), namely, because they were not as
yet fit for war, much less for war with the Philistines, <scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p13.9" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.17" parsed="|Exod|13|17|0|0" passage="Ex 13:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>. Their spirits were
broken with slavery; it was not easy for them to turn their hands
of a sudden from the trowel to the sword. The Philistines were
formidable enemies, too fierce to be encountered by raw recruits;
it was more suitable that they should begin with the Amalekites,
and be prepared for the wars of Canaan by experiencing the
difficulties of the wilderness. Note, God proportions his people's
trials to their strength, and will <i>not suffer them to be tempted
above what they are able,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p13.10" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.10.13" parsed="|1Cor|10|13|0|0" passage="1Co 10:13">1 Cor.
x. 13</scripRef>. That promise, if compared with the foregoing
verses, will seem to refer to this event, as an instance of it.
<i>God knows our frame,</i> and considers our weakness and
faintheartedness, and by less trials will prepare us for greater.
God is said to bring Israel out of Egypt as the eagle <i>brings up
her young ones</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p13.11" osisRef="Bible:Deut.32.11" parsed="|Deut|32|11|0|0" passage="De 32:11">Deut. xxxii.
11</scripRef>), teaching them by degrees to fly. Orders being thus
given which way they should go, we are told, (1.) That they went up
themselves, not as a confused rout, but in good order, rank and
file: they <i>went up harnessed,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p13.12" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.18" parsed="|Exod|13|18|0|0" passage="Ex 13:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>. They went up by <i>five in a
rank</i> (so some), in <i>five squadrons,</i> so others. They
marched like an army with banners, which added much to their
strength and honour. (2.) That they took the <i>bones of Joseph</i>
along with them (<scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p13.13" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.19" parsed="|Exod|13|19|0|0" passage="Ex 13:19"><i>v.</i>
19</scripRef>), and probably the bones of the rest of Jacob's sons,
unless (as some think) they had been privately carried to Canaan
(<scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p13.14" osisRef="Bible:Acts.7.16" parsed="|Acts|7|16|0|0" passage="Ac 7:16">Acts vii. 16</scripRef>), severally as
they died. Joseph had particularly appointed that his bones should
be carried up when God should visit the (<scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p13.15" osisRef="Bible:Gen.50.25-Gen.50.26" parsed="|Gen|50|25|50|26" passage="Ge 50:25,26">Gen. l. 25, 26</scripRef>), so that their carrying up
his bones was not only a performance of the oath their fathers had
sworn to Joseph, but an acknowledgment of the performance of God's
promise to them by Joseph that he would visit them and bring them
out of the land of Egypt, and an encouragement to their faith and
hope that he would fulfil the other part of the promise, which was
to bring them to Canaan, in expectation of which they carried these
bones with them while they wandered in the desert. They might
think, "Joseph's bones must rest at last, and then we shall." Moses
is said to take these bones with him. Moses was now a very great
man; so had Joseph been in his day, yet he was now but a box full
of dry bones; this was all that remained of him in this world,
which might serve for a monitor to Moses to remember his mortality.
<i>I have said, You are gods;</i> it was said so to Moses expressly
(<scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p13.16" osisRef="Bible:Exod.7.1" parsed="|Exod|7|1|0|0" passage="Ex 7:1"><i>ch.</i> vii. 1</scripRef>); <i>but
you shall die like men.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiv-p14">II. Here is the guidance they were blessed
with in the way: <i>The Lord went before them in a pillar,</i>
<scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.21-Exod.13.22" parsed="|Exod|13|21|13|22" passage="Ex 13:21,22"><i>v.</i> 21, 22</scripRef>. In the
first two stages it was enough that God directed Moses whither to
march: he knew the country and the road well enough; but now that
they had come <i>to the edge of the wilderness</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.20" parsed="|Exod|13|20|0|0" passage="Ex 13:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>) they would have
occasion for a guide; and a very good guide they had, one that was
infinitely wise, kind, and faithful: <i>The Lord went before
them,</i> the <i>shechinah</i> (or appearance of the divine
Majesty, which was typical of Christ) or a previous manifestation
of the eternal Word, which, in the fulness of time, was to be
<i>made flesh,</i> and <i>dwell among us.</i> Christ was with the
church in the wilderness, <scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.10.9" parsed="|1Cor|10|9|0|0" passage="1Co 10:9">1 Cor. x.
9</scripRef>. Now <i>their King passed before them, even the Lord
on the head of them,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p14.4" osisRef="Bible:Mic.2.13" parsed="|Mic|2|13|0|0" passage="Mic 2:13">Mic. ii.
13</scripRef>. Note, Those whom God brings into a wilderness he
will not leave nor lose there, but will take care to lead them
through it; we may well think it was a very great satisfaction to
Moses and the pious Israelites to be sure that they were under
divine guidance. Those needed not to fear missing their way who
were thus led, nor being lost who were thus directed; those needed
not to fear being benighted who were thus illuminated, nor being
robbed who were thus protected. Those who make the glory of God
their end, and the word of God their rule, the Spirit of God the
guide of their affections, and the providence of God the guide of
their affairs, may be confident that <i>the Lord goes before
them,</i> as truly as he went before Israel in the wilderness,
though not so sensibly; we must live by faith. 1. They had sensible
evidences of God's going before them. They all saw an appearance
from heaven of a pillar, which in the bright day appeared cloudy,
and in the dark night appeared fiery. We commonly see that that
which is a flame in the night is a smoke in the day; so was this.
God gave them this ocular demonstration of his presence, in
compassion to the infirmity of their faith, and in compliance with
that infant state of the church, which needed to be thus lisped to
in their own language; but blessed are <i>those that have not seen
and yet have believed</i> God's gracious presence with them,
according to his promise. 2. They had sensible effects of God's
going before them in this pillar. For, (1.) It led the way in that
vast howling wilderness, in which there was no road, no track, no
way-mark, of which they had no maps, through which they had no
guides. When they marched, this pillar went before them, at the
rate that they could follow, and appointed the place of their
encampment, as Infinite Wisdom saw fit, which both eased them from
care, and secured them from danger, both in moving and in resting.
(2.) It sheltered them by day from the heat, which, at some times
of the year, was extreme. (3.) It gave them light by night when
they had occasion for it, and at all times made their camp pleasant
and the wilderness they were in less frightful.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xiv-p15">III. These were constant standing miracles
(<scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.13.22" parsed="|Exod|13|22|0|0" passage="Ex 13:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>): He <i>took
not away the pillar of cloud;</i> no, not when they seemed to have
less occasion for it, travelling through inhabited countries, no,
not when they murmured and were provoking; it never left them, till
it brought them to the borders of Canaan. It was a cloud which the
wind could not scatter. This favour is acknowledged with
thankfulness long afterwards, <scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Neh.9.19 Bible:Ps.78.14" parsed="|Neh|9|19|0|0;|Ps|78|14|0|0" passage="Ne 9:19,Ps 78:14">Neh. ix. 19; Ps. lxxviii. 14</scripRef>. There
was something spiritual in this pillar of cloud and fire. 1. The
children of Israel were baptized unto Moses in this cloud, which,
some think, distilled dew upon them, <scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.10.2" parsed="|1Cor|10|2|0|0" passage="1Co 10:2">1
Cor. x. 2</scripRef>. By coming under this cloud, they signified
their putting themselves under the divine guidance and command by
the ministry of Moses. Protection draws allegiance; this cloud was
the badge of God's protection, and so became the bond of their
allegiance. Thus they were initiated, and admitted under that
government, now when they were entering upon the wilderness. 2.
Some make this cloud a type of Christ. The cloud of his human
nature was a veil to the light and fire of his divine nature; we
find him (<scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p15.4" osisRef="Bible:Rev.10.1" parsed="|Rev|10|1|0|0" passage="Re 10:1">Rev. x. 1</scripRef>)
<i>clothed with a cloud, and his feet as pillars of fire.</i>
Christ is our way, the light of our way and the guide of it. 3. It
signified the special guidance and protection which the church of
Christ is under in this world. God himself is the keeper of Israel,
and he <i>neither slumbers nor sleeps,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p15.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.121.4 Bible:Isa.27.3" parsed="|Ps|121|4|0|0;|Isa|27|3|0|0" passage="Ps 121:4,Isa 27:3">Ps. cxxi. 4; Isa. xxvii. 3</scripRef>. There is
a defence created, not only on Sion's assemblies, but on every
dwelling-place in Sion. See <scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p15.6" osisRef="Bible:Isa.4.5-Isa.4.6" parsed="|Isa|4|5|4|6" passage="Isa 4:5,6">Isa. iv.
5, 6</scripRef>. Nay, every Israelite indeed is hidden under the
shadow of God's wings (<scripRef id="Ex.xiv-p15.7" osisRef="Bible:Ps.17.8" parsed="|Ps|17|8|0|0" passage="Ps 17:8">Ps. xvii.
8</scripRef>); angels, whose ministry was made use of in this
cloud, are employed for their good, and pitch their tents about
them. <i>Happy art thou, O Israel! who is like unto thee, O
people?</i></p>
</div></div2>