mh_parser/vol_split/2 - Exodus/Chapter 3.xml

<div2 id="Ex.iv" n="iv" next="Ex.v" prev="Ex.iii" progress="32.23%" title="Chapter III">
<h2 id="Ex.iv-p0.1">E X O D U S</h2>
<h3 id="Ex.iv-p0.2">CHAP. III.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Ex.iv-p1">As prophecy had ceased for many ages before the
coming of Christ, that the revival and perfection of it in that
great prophet might be the more remarkable, so vision had ceased
(for aught that appears) among the patriarchs for some ages before
the coming of Moses, that God's appearances to him for Israel's
salvation might be the more welcome; and in this chapter we have
God's first appearance to him in the bush and the conference
between God and Moses in that vision. Here is, I. The discovery God
was pleased to make of his glory to Moses at the bush, to which
Moses was forbidden to approach too near, <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.1-Exod.3.5" parsed="|Exod|3|1|3|5" passage="Ex 3:1-5">ver. 1-5</scripRef>. II. A general declaration of God's
grace and good-will to his people, who were beloved for their
fathers' sakes, <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.6" parsed="|Exod|3|6|0|0" passage="Ex 3:6">ver. 6</scripRef>. III.
A particular notification of God's purpose concerning the
deliverance of Israel out of Egypt. 1. He assures Moses it should
now be done, <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.7-Exod.3.9" parsed="|Exod|3|7|3|9" passage="Ex 3:7-9">ver. 7-9</scripRef>. 2.
He gives him a commission to act in it as his ambassador both to
Pharaoh, (<scripRef id="Ex.iv-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.10" parsed="|Exod|3|10|0|0" passage="Ex 3:10">ver. 10</scripRef>) and to
Israel, <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.16" parsed="|Exod|3|16|0|0" passage="Ex 3:16">ver. 16</scripRef>. 3. He
answers the objection Moses made of his own unworthiness, <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.11-Exod.3.12" parsed="|Exod|3|11|3|12" passage="Ex 3:11,12">ver. 11, 12</scripRef>. 4. He gives him full
instructions what to say both to Pharaoh and to Israel, <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.13-Exod.3.18" parsed="|Exod|3|13|3|18" passage="Ex 3:13-18">ver. 13-18</scripRef>. 5. He tells him
beforehand what the issue would be, <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.19-Exod.3.22" parsed="|Exod|3|19|3|22" passage="Ex 3:19-22">ver. 19</scripRef>, &amp;c.</p>
<scripCom id="Ex.iv-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3" parsed="|Exod|3|0|0|0" passage="Ex 3" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ex.iv-p1.10" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.1-Exod.3.6" parsed="|Exod|3|1|3|6" passage="Ex 3:1-6" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.3.1-Exod.3.6">
<h4 id="Ex.iv-p1.11">The Burning Bush. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.iv-p1.12">b. c.</span> 1491.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ex.iv-p2">1 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father
in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside
of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, <i>even</i> to
Horeb. 2 And the angel of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.iv-p2.1">Lord</span>
appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush:
and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush
<i>was</i> not consumed. 3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside,
and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. 4 And when the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.iv-p2.2">Lord</span> saw that he turned aside to
see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said,
Moses, Moses. And he said, Here <i>am</i> I. 5 And he said, Draw
not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place
whereon thou standest <i>is</i> holy ground. 6 Moreover he said, I
<i>am</i> the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of
Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was
afraid to look upon God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.iv-p3">The years of the life of Moses are
remarkably divided into three forties: the first forty he spent as
a prince in Pharaoh's court, the second a shepherd in Midian, the
third a king in Jeshurun; so changeable is the life of men,
especially the life of good men. He had now finished his second
forty, when he received his commission to bring Israel out of
Egypt. Note, Sometimes it is long before God calls his servants out
of that work which of old he designed them for, and has been
graciously preparing them for. Moses was born to be Israel's
deliverer, and yet not a word is said of it to him till he is
eighty years of age. Now observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.iv-p4">I. How this appearance of God to him found
him employed. He was keeping the flock (tending sheep) near mount
Horeb, <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.1" parsed="|Exod|3|1|0|0" passage="Ex 3:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. This was
a poor employment for a man of his parts and education, yet he
rests satisfied with it, and thus learns meekness and contentment
to a high degree, for which he is more celebrated in sacred writ
than for all his other learning. Note, 1. In the calling to which
we are called we should abide, and not be given to change. 2. Even
those that are qualified for great employments and services must
not think it strange if they be confined to obscurity; it was the
lot of Moses before them, who foresaw nothing to the contrary but
that he should die, as he had lived a great while, a poor
despicable shepherd. Let those that think themselves buried alive
be content to shine like lamps in their sepulchres, and wait till
God's time come for setting them on a candlestick. Thus employed
Moses was, when he was honoured with this vision. Note, (1.) God
will encourage industry. The shepherds were keeping their flocks
when they received the tidings of our Saviour's birth, <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.2.8" parsed="|Luke|2|8|0|0" passage="Lu 2:8">Luke ii. 8</scripRef>. Satan loves to find us
idle; God is well pleased when he find us employed. (2.) Retirement
is a good friend to our communion with God. When we are alone, the
Father is with us. Moses saw more of God in a desert than ever he
had seen in Pharaoh's court.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.iv-p5">II. What the appearance was. To his great
surprise he saw a bush burning, when he perceived no fire either
from earth or heaven to kindle it, and, which was more strange, it
did not consume, <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.2" parsed="|Exod|3|2|0|0" passage="Ex 3:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>.
It was an angel of the Lord that appeared to him; some think, a
created angel, who speaks in the language of him that sent him;
others, the second person, the angel of the covenant, who is
himself Jehovah. It was an extraordinary manifestation of the
divine presence and glory; what was visible was produced by the
ministry of an angel, but he heard God in it speaking to him. 1. He
saw a flame of fire; <i>for our God is a consuming fire.</i> When
Israel's deliverance out of Egypt was promised to Abraham, he saw a
burning lamp, which signified the light of joy which that
deliverance should cause (<scripRef id="Ex.iv-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.15.17" parsed="|Gen|15|17|0|0" passage="Ge 15:17">Gen. xv.
17</scripRef>); but now it shines brighter, as a flame of fire, for
God in that deliverance brought terror and destruction to his
enemies, light and heat to his people, and displayed his glory
before all. See <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.10.17" parsed="|Isa|10|17|0|0" passage="Isa 10:17">Isa. x.
17</scripRef>. 2. This fire was not in a tall and stately cedar,
but in a bush, <i>a thorny bush,</i> so the word signifies; for God
chooses the weak and despised things of the world (such as Moses,
now a poor shepherd), with them to confound the wise; he delights
to beautify and crown the humble. 3. <i>The bush burned,</i> and
yet <i>was not consumed,</i> an emblem of the church now in bondage
in Egypt, burning in the brick-kilns, yet not consumed; perplexed,
but not in despair; cast down, but not destroyed.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.iv-p6">III. The curiosity Moses had to enquire
into this extraordinary sight: <i>I will turn aside and see,</i>
<scripRef id="Ex.iv-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.3" parsed="|Exod|3|3|0|0" passage="Ex 3:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. He speaks as one
inquisitive and bold in his enquiry; whatever it was, he would, if
possible, know the meaning of it. Note, Things revealed belong to
us, and we ought diligently to enquire into them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.iv-p7">IV. The invitation he had to draw near, yet
with a caution not to come too near, nor rashly.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.iv-p8">1. God gave him a gracious call, to which
he returned a ready answer, <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.4" parsed="|Exod|3|4|0|0" passage="Ex 3:4"><i>v.</i>
4</scripRef>. When God saw that he took notice of the burning bush,
and turned aside to see it, and left his business to attend it,
then God called to him. If he had carelessly neglected it as an
<i>ignis fatuus—a deceiving meteor,</i> a thing not worth taking
notice of, it is probable that God would have departed, and said
nothing to him; but, when he turned aside, God called to him. Note,
Those that would have communion with God must attend upon him, and
approach to him, in those ordinances wherein he is pleased to
manifest himself, and his power and glory, though it be in a bush;
they must come to the treasure, though in an earthen vessel. Those
that seek God diligently shall find him, and find him their
bountiful rewarder. <i>Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to
you.</i> God called him by name, <i>Moses, Moses.</i> This which he
heard could not but surprise him much more than what he saw. The
word of the Lord always went along with the glory of the Lord, for
every divine vision was designed for divine revelation, <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.4.16-Job.4.21 Bible:Job.32.14-Job.32.15" parsed="|Job|4|16|4|21;|Job|32|14|32|15" passage="Job 4:16-21,32:14-15">Job iv. 16, &amp;c.; xxxii.
14-15</scripRef>. Divine calls are then effectual, (1.) When the
Spirit of God makes them particular, and calls us by name. The word
calls, <i>Ho, every one!</i> The Spirit, by the application of
that, calls, <i>Ho, such a one! I know thee by name,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.33.12" parsed="|Exod|33|12|0|0" passage="Ex 33:12">Exod. xxxiii. 12</scripRef>. (2.) When we return
an obedient answer to them, as Moses here, "<i>Here am I, what
saith my Lord unto his servant? Here am I,</i> not only to hear
what is said, but to do what I am bidden."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.iv-p9">2. God gave him a needful caution against
rashness and irreverence in his approach, (1.) He must keep his
distance; draw near, but not too near; so near as to hear, but not
so near as to pry. His conscience must be satisfied, but not his
curiosity; and care must be taken that familiarity do not breed
contempt. Note, In all our approaches to God, we ought to be deeply
affected with the infinite distance there is between us and God,
<scripRef id="Ex.iv-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.5.2" parsed="|Eccl|5|2|0|0" passage="Ec 5:2">Eccl. v. 2</scripRef>. Or this may be
taken as proper to the Old-Testament dispensation, which was a
dispensation of darkness, bondage, and terror, from which the
gospel happily frees us, giving us boldness to enter into the
holiest, and inviting us to draw near. (2.) He must express his
reverence, and his readiness to obey: <i>Put off thy shoes from off
thy feet,</i> as a servant. Putting off the shoe was then what
putting off the hat is now, a token of respect and submission. "The
ground, for the present, is <i>holy ground,</i> made so by this
special manifestation of the divine presence, during the
continuance of which it must retain this character; therefore tread
not on that ground with soiled shoes." <i>Keep thy foot,</i>
<scripRef id="Ex.iv-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.5.1" parsed="|Eccl|5|1|0|0" passage="Ec 5:1">Eccl. v. 1</scripRef>. Note, We ought to
approach to God with a solemn pause and preparation; and, though
bodily exercise alone profits little, yet we ought to glorify God
with our bodies, and to express our inward reverence by a grave and
reverent behaviour in the worship of God, carefully avoiding
everything that looks light, and rude, and unbecoming the awfulness
of the service.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.iv-p10">V. The solemn declaration God made of his
name, by which he would be known to Moses: <i>I am the God of thy
father,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.6" parsed="|Exod|3|6|0|0" passage="Ex 3:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. 1.
He lets him know that it is God who speaks to him, to engage his
reverence and attention, his faith and obedience; for this is
enough to command all these: <i>I am the Lord.</i> Let us always
hear the word <i>as the word of God,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:1Thess.2.13" parsed="|1Thess|2|13|0|0" passage="1Th 2:13">1 Thess. ii. 13</scripRef>. 2. He will be known as the
God of his father, his pious father Amram, and the God of Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob, his ancestors, and the ancestors of all Israel,
for whom God was now about to appear. By this God designed, (1.) To
instruct Moses in the knowledge of another world, and to strengthen
his belief of a future state. Thus it is interpreted by our Lord
Jesus, the best expositor of scripture, who from this proves that
the dead are raised, against the Sadducees. <i>Moses,</i> says he,
<i>showed it at the bush</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.iv-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Luke.20.37" parsed="|Luke|20|37|0|0" passage="Lu 20:37">Luke xx.
37</scripRef>), that is, God there showed it to him, and in him to
us, <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:Matt.22.31" parsed="|Matt|22|31|0|0" passage="Mt 22:31">Matt. xxii. 31</scripRef>, &amp;c.
Abraham was dead, and yet God is the God of Abraham; therefore
Abraham's soul lives, to which God stands in relation; and, to make
his soul completely happy, his body must live again in due time.
This promise made unto the fathers, that God would be their God,
must include a future happiness; for he never did anything for them
in this world sufficient to answer to the vast extent and compass
of that great word, but, having prepared for them a city, he is not
ashamed to be called their God, <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p10.5" osisRef="Bible:Heb.11.16" parsed="|Heb|11|16|0|0" passage="Heb 11:16">Heb.
xi. 16</scripRef>; and see <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p10.6" osisRef="Bible:Acts.26.6-Acts.26.7 Bible:Acts.24.15" parsed="|Acts|26|6|26|7;|Acts|24|15|0|0" passage="Ac 26:6,7,24:15">Acts
xxvi. 6, 7; xxiv. 15</scripRef>. (2.) To assure Moses of the
fulfillment of all those particular promises made to the fathers.
He may confidently expect this, for by these words it appears that
God remembered his covenant, <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p10.7" osisRef="Bible:Exod.2.24" parsed="|Exod|2|24|0|0" passage="Ex 2:24"><i>ch.</i>
ii. 24</scripRef>. Note, [1.] God's covenant-relation to us as our
God is the best support in the worst of times, and a great
encouragement to our faith in particular promises. [2.] When we are
conscious to ourselves of our own great unworthiness we may take
comfort from God's relation to our fathers, <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p10.8" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.6" parsed="|2Chr|20|6|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:6">2 Chron. xx. 6</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.iv-p11">VI. The solemn impression this made upon
Moses: He <i>hid his face,</i> as one both ashamed and afraid to
look upon God. Now that he knew it was a divine light his eyes were
dazzled with it; he was not afraid of a burning bush till he
perceived that God was in it. Yea, though God called himself <i>the
God of his father,</i> and a God in covenant with him, yet he was
afraid. Note, 1. The more we see of God the more cause we shall see
to worship him with reverence and godly fear. 2. Even the
manifestations of God's grace and covenant-love should increase our
humble reverence of him.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ex.iv-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.7-Exod.3.10" parsed="|Exod|3|7|3|10" passage="Ex 3:7-10" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.3.7-Exod.3.10">
<h4 id="Ex.iv-p11.2">Compassion of God for the
Israelites. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.iv-p11.3">b. c.</span> 1491.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ex.iv-p12">7 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.iv-p12.1">Lord</span>
said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which
<i>are</i> in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their
taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; 8 And I am come down to
deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up
out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing
with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the
Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites,
and the Jebusites. 9 Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children
of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression
wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come now therefore, and I
will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people
the children of Israel out of Egypt.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.iv-p13">Now that Moses had put off his shoes (for,
no doubt, he observed the orders given him, <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.5" parsed="|Exod|3|5|0|0" passage="Ex 3:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>), and covered his face, God enters
upon the particular business that was now to be concerted, which
was the bringing of Israel out of Egypt. Now, after forty years of
Israel's bondage and Moses's banishment, when we may suppose both
he and they began to despair, they of being delivered and he of
delivering them, at length, the time has come, even the year of the
redeemed. Note, God often comes for the salvation of his people
when they have done looking for him. <i>Shall he find faith?</i>
<scripRef id="Ex.iv-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Luke.18.8" parsed="|Luke|18|8|0|0" passage="Lu 18:8">Luke xviii. 8</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.iv-p14">Here is, I. The notice God takes of the
afflictions of Israel (<scripRef id="Ex.iv-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.7 Bible:Exod.3.9" parsed="|Exod|3|7|0|0;|Exod|3|9|0|0" passage="Ex 3:7,9"><i>v.</i> 7,
9</scripRef>): <i>Seeing I have seen,</i> not only, <i>I have
surely seen,</i> but I have strictly observed and considered the
matter. Three things God took cognizance of:—1. <i>Their
sorrows,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.7" parsed="|Exod|3|7|0|0" passage="Ex 3:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. It
is likely they were not permitted to make a remonstrance of their
grievances to Pharaoh, nor to seek relief against their
task-masters in any of his courts, nor scarcely durst complain to
one another; but God observed their tears. Note, Even the secret
sorrows of God's people are known to him. 2. Their cry: <i>I have
heard their cry</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.iv-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.7" parsed="|Exod|3|7|0|0" passage="Ex 3:7"><i>v.</i>
7</scripRef>), <i>it has come unto me,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p14.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.9" parsed="|Exod|3|9|0|0" passage="Ex 3:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. Note, God is not deaf to the cries
of his afflicted people. 3. The tyranny of their persecutors: <i>I
have seen the oppression,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p14.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.9" parsed="|Exod|3|9|0|0" passage="Ex 3:9"><i>v.</i>
9</scripRef>. Note, As the poorest of the oppressed are not below
God's cognizance, so the highest and greatest of their oppressors
are not above his check, but he will surely visit for these
things.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.iv-p15">II. The promise God makes of their speedy
deliverance and enlargement: <i>I have come down to deliver
them,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.8" parsed="|Exod|3|8|0|0" passage="Ex 3:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. 1. It
denotes his resolution to deliver them, and that his heart was upon
it, so that it should be done speedily and effectually, and by
methods out of the common road of providence: when God does
something very extraordinary he is said to <i>come down</i> to do
it, as <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.64.1" parsed="|Isa|64|1|0|0" passage="Isa 64:1">Isa. lxiv. 1</scripRef>. 2.
This deliverance was typical of our redemption by Christ, in which
the eternal Word did indeed come down from heaven to deliver us: it
was his errand into the world. He promises also their happy
settlement in the land of Canaan, that they should exchange bondage
for liberty, poverty for plenty, labour for rest, and the
precarious condition of tenants at will for the ease and honour of
lords proprietors. Note, Whom God by his grace delivers out of a
spiritual Egypt he will bring to a heavenly Canaan.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.iv-p16">III. The commission he gives to Moses in
order hereunto, <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.10" parsed="|Exod|3|10|0|0" passage="Ex 3:10"><i>v.</i>
10</scripRef>. He is not only sent as a prophet to Israel, to
assure them that they should speedily be delivered (even that would
have been a great favour), but he is sent as an ambassador to
Pharaoh, to treat with him, or rather as a herald at arms, to
demand their discharge, and to denounce war in case of refusal; and
he is sent as a prince to Israel, to conduct and command them. Thus
is he taken from <i>following the ewes great with young,</i> to a
pastoral office much more noble, as David, <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.78.71" parsed="|Ps|78|71|0|0" passage="Ps 78:71">Ps. lxxviii. 71</scripRef>. Note, God is the fountain of
power, and the powers that be are ordained of him as he pleases.
The same hand that now fetched a shepherd out of a desert, to be
the planter of a Jewish church, afterwards fetched fishermen from
their ships, to be the planters of the Christian church, <i>That
the excellency of the power might be of God.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Ex.iv-p16.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3" parsed="|Exod|3|0|0|0" passage="Ex 3" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ex.iv-p16.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.11-Exod.3.15" parsed="|Exod|3|11|3|15" passage="Ex 3:11-15" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.3.11-Exod.3.15">
<h4 id="Ex.iv-p16.5">Instructions Given to Moses. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.iv-p16.6">b. c.</span> 1491.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ex.iv-p17">11 And Moses said unto God, Who <i>am</i> I,
that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the
children of Israel out of Egypt? 12 And he said, Certainly I will
be with thee; and this <i>shall be</i> a token unto thee, that I
have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of
Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain. 13 And Moses said
unto God, Behold, <i>when</i> I come unto the children of Israel,
and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto
you; and they shall say to me, What <i>is</i> his name? what shall
I say unto them? 14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he
said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath
sent me unto you. 15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt
thou say unto the children of Israel, The <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.iv-p17.1">Lord</span> God of your fathers, the God of Abraham,
the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this
<i>is</i> my name for ever, and this <i>is</i> my memorial unto all
generations.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.iv-p18">God, having spoken to Moses, allows him
also a liberty of speech, which he here improves; and,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.iv-p19">I. He objects his own insufficiency for the
service he was called to (<scripRef id="Ex.iv-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.11" parsed="|Exod|3|11|0|0" passage="Ex 3:11"><i>v.</i>
11</scripRef>): <i>Who am I?</i> He thinks himself unworthy of the
honour, and not <i>par negotio—equal to the task.</i> He thinks he
wants courage, and therefore cannot go to Pharaoh, to make a demand
which might cost the demandant his head: he thinks he wants skill,
and therefore cannot bring forth the children of Israel out of
Egypt; they are unarmed, undisciplined, quite dispirited, utterly
unable to help themselves; it is morally impossible to bring them
out. 1. Moses was incomparably the fittest of any man living for
this work, eminent for learning, wisdom, experience, valour, faith,
holiness; and yet he says, <i>Who am I?</i> Note, The more fit any
person is for service commonly the less opinion he has of himself:
see <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:Judg.9.8" parsed="|Judg|9|8|0|0" passage="Jdg 9:8">Judg. ix. 8</scripRef>, &amp;c. 2.
The difficulties of the work were indeed very great, enough to
startle the courage and stagger the faith of Moses himself. Note,
Even wise and faithful instruments may be much discouraged at the
difficulties that lie in the way of the church's salvation. 3.
Moses had formerly been very courageous when he slew the Egyptian,
but now his heart failed him; for good men are not always alike
bold and zealous. 4. Yet Moses is the man that does it at last; for
God gives grace to the lowly. Modest beginnings are very good
presages.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.iv-p20">II. God answers this objection, <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.12" parsed="|Exod|3|12|0|0" passage="Ex 3:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>. 1. He promises him his
presence: <i>Certainly I will be with thee,</i> and that is enough.
Note, Those that are weak in themselves may yet do wonders, being
strong in the Lord and in the power of his might; and those that
are most diffident of themselves may be most confident in God.
God's presence puts an honour upon the worthless, wisdom and
strength into the weak and foolish, makes the greatest difficulties
dwindle to nothing, and is enough to answer all objections. 2. He
assures him of success, and that the Israelites should serve God
upon this mountain. Note, (1.) Those deliverances are most valuable
which open to us a door of liberty to serve God. (2.) If God gives
us opportunity and a heart to serve him, it is a happy and
encouraging earnest of further favours designed us.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.iv-p21">III. He begs instructions for the executing
of his commission, and has them, thoroughly to furnish him. He
desires to know by what name God would at this time make himself
known, <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.13" parsed="|Exod|3|13|0|0" passage="Ex 3:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.iv-p22">1. He supposes the children of Israel would
ask him, <i>What is his name?</i> This they would ask either, (1.)
To perplex Moses: he foresaw difficulty, not only in dealing with
Pharaoh, to make him willing to part with them, but in dealing with
them, to make them willing to remove. They would be scrupulous and
apt to cavil, would bid him produce his commission, and probably
this would be the trial: "Does he know the name of God? Has he the
watch-word?" Once he was asked, <i>Who made thee a judge?</i> Then
he had not his answer ready, and he would not be nonplussed so
again, but would be able to tell in whose name he came. Or, (2.)
For their own information. It is to be feared that they had grown
very ignorant in Egypt, by reason of their hard bondage, want of
teachers, and loss of the sabbath, so that they needed to be told
the first principles of the oracles of God. Or this question,
<i>What is his name?</i> amounted to an enquiry into the nature of
the dispensation they were now to expect: "How will God in it be
known to us, and what may we depend upon from him?"</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.iv-p23">2. He desires instructions what answer to
give them: "<i>What shall I say to them?</i> What name shall I
vouch to them for the proof of my authority? I must have something
great and extraordinary to say to them; what must it be? If I must
go, let me have full instructions, that I may not run in vain."
Note, (1.) It highly concerns those who speak to people in the name
of God to be well prepared beforehand. (2.) Those who would know
what to say must go to God, to the word of his grace and to the
throne of his grace, for instructions, <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.2.7 Bible:Ezek.3.4 Bible:Ezek.3.10 Bible:Ezek.3.17" parsed="|Ezek|2|7|0|0;|Ezek|3|4|0|0;|Ezek|3|10|0|0;|Ezek|3|17|0|0" passage="Eze 2:7,3:4,10,17">Ezek. ii. 7; iii. 4, 10, 17</scripRef>. (3.)
Whenever we have any thing to do with God, it is desirable to know,
and our duty to consider, what is his name.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.iv-p24">IV. God readily gives him full instructions
in this matter. Two names God would now be known by:—</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.iv-p25">1. A name that denotes what he is in
himself (<scripRef id="Ex.iv-p25.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.14" parsed="|Exod|3|14|0|0" passage="Ex 3:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>): <i>I
am that I am.</i> This explains his name <i>Jehovah,</i> and
signifies, (1.) That he is self-existent; he has his being of
himself, and has no dependence upon any other: the greatest and
best man in the world must say, By the grace of God <i>I am what I
am;</i> but God says absolutely—and it is more than any creature,
man or angel, can say—<i>I am that I am.</i> Being self-existent,
he cannot but be self-sufficient, and therefore all-sufficient, and
the inexhaustible fountain of being and bliss. (2.) That he is
eternal and unchangeable, and always the same, yesterday, to-day,
and for ever; he will be what he will be and what he is; see
<scripRef id="Ex.iv-p25.2" osisRef="Bible:Rev.1.8" parsed="|Rev|1|8|0|0" passage="Re 1:8">Rev. i. 8</scripRef>. (3.) That we
cannot by searching find him out. This is such a name as checks all
bold and curious enquiries concerning God, and in effect says,
<i>Ask not after my name, seeing it is secret,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p25.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.13.18 Bible:Prov.30.4" parsed="|Judg|13|18|0|0;|Prov|30|4|0|0" passage="Jdg 13:18,Pr 30:4">Judg. xiii. 18; Prov. xxx.
4</scripRef>. Do we ask what is God? Let it suffice us to know that
he is what he is, what he ever was, and ever will be. <i>How little
a portion is heard of him!</i> <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p25.4" osisRef="Bible:Job.26.14" parsed="|Job|26|14|0|0" passage="Job 26:14">Job
xxvi. 14</scripRef>. (4.) That he is faithful and true to all his
promises, unchangeable in his word as well as in his nature, and
not a man that he should lie. Let Israel know this, <i>I AM hath
sent me unto you.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.iv-p26">2. A name that denotes what he is to his
people. Lest that name <i>I AM</i> should amuse and puzzle them, he
is further directed to make use of another name of God more
familiar and intelligible: <i>The Lord God of your fathers hath
sent me unto you</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.iv-p26.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.15" parsed="|Exod|3|15|0|0" passage="Ex 3:15"><i>v.</i>
15</scripRef>): Thus God had made himself know to him (<scripRef id="Ex.iv-p26.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.6" parsed="|Exod|3|6|0|0" passage="Ex 3:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>), and thus he must make him
known to them, (1.) That he might revive among them the religion of
their fathers, which, it is to be feared, was much decayed and
almost lost. This was necessary to prepare them for deliverance,
<scripRef id="Ex.iv-p26.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.80.19" parsed="|Ps|80|19|0|0" passage="Ps 80:19">Ps. lxxx. 19</scripRef>. (2.) That he
might raise their expectations of the speedy performance of the
promises made unto their fathers. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are
particularly named, because with Abraham the covenant was first
made, and with Isaac and Jacob often expressly renewed; and these
three were distinguished from their brethren, and chosen to be the
trustees of the covenant, when their brethren were rejected. God
will have this to be his name for ever, and it has been, is, and
will be, his name, by which his worshippers know him, and
distinguish him from all false gods; see <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p26.4" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.18.36" parsed="|1Kgs|18|36|0|0" passage="1Ki 18:36">1 Kings xviii. 36</scripRef>. Note, God's
covenant-relation to his people is what he will be ever mindful of,
what he glories in, and what he will have us never forget, but give
him the glory of: if he will have this to be his memorial unto all
generations, we have all the reason in the world to make it so with
us, for it is a precious memorial.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ex.iv-p26.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3" parsed="|Exod|3|0|0|0" passage="Ex 3" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ex.iv-p26.6" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.16-Exod.3.22" parsed="|Exod|3|16|3|22" passage="Ex 3:16-22" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.3.16-Exod.3.22">
<p class="passage" id="Ex.iv-p27">16 Go, and gather the elders of Israel together,
and say unto them, The <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.iv-p27.1">Lord</span> God of
your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared
unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and <i>seen</i> that
which is done to you in Egypt: 17 And I have said, I will bring you
up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites,
and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the
Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and
honey. 18 And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come,
thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall
say unto him, The <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.iv-p27.2">Lord</span> God of the
Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three
days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.iv-p27.3">Lord</span> our God. 19 And I am sure that
the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand. 20
And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders
which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let
you go. 21 And I will give this people favour in the sight of the
Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall
not go empty: 22 But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and
of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels
of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put <i>them</i> upon your sons,
and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.iv-p28">Moses is here more particularly instructed
in his work, and informed beforehand of his success. 1. He must
deal with the elders of Israel, and raise their expectation of a
speedy removal to Canaan, <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p28.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.16-Exod.3.17" parsed="|Exod|3|16|3|17" passage="Ex 3:16,17"><i>v.</i>
16, 17</scripRef>. He must repeat to them what God had said to him,
as a faithful ambassador. Note, That which ministers have received
of the Lord they must deliver to his people, and keep back nothing
that is profitable. Lay an emphasis on that, <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p28.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.17" parsed="|Exod|3|17|0|0" passage="Ex 3:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>: "<i>I have said, I will bring
you up;</i> that is enough to satisfy them, <i>I have said it:</i>"
hath he spoken, and will he not make it good? With us saying and
doing are two things, but they are not so with God, for he is in
one mind and who can turn him? "I have said it, and all the world
cannot gainsay it. My counsel shall stand." His success with the
elders of Israel would be good; so he is told (<scripRef id="Ex.iv-p28.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.18" parsed="|Exod|3|18|0|0" passage="Ex 3:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>): <i>They shall hearken to thy
voice,</i> and not thrust thee away as they did forty years ago. He
who, by his grace, inclines the heart, and opens the ear, could say
beforehand, <i>They shall hearken to thy voice,</i> having
determined to make them willing in this day of power. 2. He must
deal with the king of Egypt (<scripRef id="Ex.iv-p28.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.18" parsed="|Exod|3|18|0|0" passage="Ex 3:18"><i>v.</i>
18</scripRef>), he and the elders of Israel, and in this they must
not begin with a demand, but with a humble petition; that gentle
and submissive method must be first tried, even with one who, it
was certain, would not be wrought upon by it: <i>We beseech thee,
let us go.</i> Moreover, they must only beg leave of Pharaoh to go
as far as Mount Sinai to worship God, and say nothing to him of
going quite away to Canaan; the latter would have been immediately
rejected, but the former was a very modest and reasonable request,
and his denying it was utterly inexcusable and justified them in
the total deserting of his kingdom. If he would not give them leave
to go and sacrifice at Sinai, justly did they go without leave to
settle in Canaan. Note, The calls and commands which God sends to
sinners are so highly reasonable in themselves, and delivered to
them in such a gentle winning way, that the mouth of the
disobedient must needs be for ever stopped. As to his success with
Pharaoh, Moses is here told, (1.) That petitions, and persuasions,
and humble remonstrances, would not prevail with him, no, nor a
mighty hand stretched out in signs and wonders: <i>I am sure he
will not let you go,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p28.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.19" parsed="|Exod|3|19|0|0" passage="Ex 3:19"><i>v.</i>
19</scripRef>. Note, God sends his messengers to those whose
hardness and obstinacy he certainly knows and foresees, that it may
appear he would have them turn and live. (2.) That plagues should
compel him to it: <i>I will smite Egypt,</i> and then he will
<i>let you go,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p28.6" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.20" parsed="|Exod|3|20|0|0" passage="Ex 3:20"><i>v.</i>
20</scripRef>. Note, Those will certainly be broken by the power of
God's hand that will not bow to the power of his word; we may be
sure that <i>when God judges he will overcome.</i> (3.) That his
people should be more kind to them, and furnish them at their
departure with abundance of plate and jewels, to their great
enriching: <i>I will give this people favour in the sight of the
Egyptians,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.iv-p28.7" osisRef="Bible:Exod.3.21-Exod.3.22" parsed="|Exod|3|21|3|22" passage="Ex 3:21,22"><i>v.</i> 21,
22</scripRef>. Note, [1.] God sometimes makes the enemies of his
people, not only to be at peace with them, but to be kind to them.
[2.] God has many ways of balancing accounts between the injured
and the injurious, of righting the oppressed, and compelling those
that have done wrong to make restitution; for he sits in the throne
judging right.</p>
</div></div2>