mh_parser/vol_split/2 - Exodus/Chapter 7.xml

<div2 id="Ex.viii" n="viii" next="Ex.ix" prev="Ex.vii" progress="34.16%" title="Chapter VII">
<h2 id="Ex.viii-p0.1">E X O D U S</h2>
<h3 id="Ex.viii-p0.2">CHAP. VII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Ex.viii-p1">In this chapter, I. The dispute between God and
Moses finishes, and Moses applies himself to the execution of his
commission, in obedience to God's command, <scripRef id="Ex.viii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.7.1-Exod.7.7" parsed="|Exod|7|1|7|7" passage="Ex 7:1-7">ver. 1-7</scripRef>. II. The dispute between Moses and
Pharaoh begins, and a famous trial of skill it was. Moses, in God's
name, demands Israel's release; Pharaoh denies it. The contest is
between the power of the great God and the power of a proud prince;
and it will be found, in the issue, that when God judgeth he will
overcome. 1. Moses confirms the demand he had made to Pharaoh, by a
miracle, turning his rod into a serpent; but Pharaoh hardens his
heart against this conviction, <scripRef id="Ex.viii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.7.8-Exod.7.13" parsed="|Exod|7|8|7|13" passage="Ex 7:8-13">ver.
8-13</scripRef>. 2. He chastises his disobedience by a plague, the
first of the ten, turning the waters into blood; but Pharaoh
hardens his heart against this correction, <scripRef id="Ex.viii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.7.14-Exod.7.25" parsed="|Exod|7|14|7|25" passage="Ex 7:14-25">ver. 14</scripRef>, &amp;c.</p>
<scripCom id="Ex.viii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.7" parsed="|Exod|7|0|0|0" passage="Ex 7" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ex.viii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.7.1-Exod.7.7" parsed="|Exod|7|1|7|7" passage="Ex 7:1-7" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.7.1-Exod.7.7">
<h4 id="Ex.viii-p1.6">Moses Receives a Fresh
Commission. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.viii-p1.7">b. c.</span> 1491.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ex.viii-p2">1 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.viii-p2.1">Lord</span>
said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron
thy brother shall be thy prophet.   2 Thou shalt speak all
that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto
Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land.
  3 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs
and my wonders in the land of Egypt.   4 But Pharaoh shall not
hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring
forth mine armies, <i>and</i> my people the children of Israel, out
of the land of Egypt by great judgments.   5 And the Egyptians
shall know that I <i>am</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.viii-p2.2">Lord</span>, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt,
and bring out the children of Israel from among them.   6 And
Moses and Aaron did as the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.viii-p2.3">Lord</span>
commanded them, so did they.   7 And Moses <i>was</i>
fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when
they spake unto Pharaoh.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.viii-p3">Here, I. God encourages Moses to go to
Pharaoh, and at last silences all his discouragements. 1. He
clothes him with great power and authority (<scripRef id="Ex.viii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.7.1" parsed="|Exod|7|1|0|0" passage="Ex 7:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>): <i>I have made thee a god to
Pharaoh;</i> that is, my representative in this affair, as
magistrates are called <i>gods,</i> because they are God's
vicegerents. He was authorized to speak and act in God's name and
stead, and, under the divine direction, was endued with a divine
power to do that which is above the ordinary power of nature, and
invested with a divine authority to demand obedience from a
sovereign prince and punish disobedience. Moses was a god, but he
was only a <i>made</i> god, not essentially one by nature; he was
no god but by commission. He was a god, but he was a god only to
Pharaoh; the living and true God is a God to all the world. It is
an instance of God's condescension, and an evidence that his
thoughts towards us are thoughts of peace, that when he treats with
men he treats by men, whose terror shall not make us afraid. 2. He
again nominates him an assistant, his brother Aaron, who was not a
man of uncircumcised lips, but a notable spokesman: "He shall be
<i>thy prophet,</i>" that is, "he shall speak from thee to Pharaoh,
as prophets do from God to the children of men. Thou shalt, as a
god, inflict and remove the plagues, and Aaron, as a prophet, shall
denounce them, and threaten Pharaoh with them." 3. He tells him the
worst of it, that Pharaoh would not hearken to him, and yet the
work should be done at last, Israel should be delivered and God
therein would be glorified, <scripRef id="Ex.viii-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.7.4-Exod.7.5" parsed="|Exod|7|4|7|5" passage="Ex 7:4,5"><i>v.</i>
4, 5</scripRef>. The Egyptians, who would not know the Lord, should
be made to know him. Note, It is, and ought to be, satisfaction
enough to God's messengers that, whatever contradiction and
opposition may be given them, thus far they shall gain their point,
that God will be glorified in the success of their embassy, and all
his chosen Israel will be saved, and then they have no reason to
say that they have laboured in vain. See here, (1.) How God
glorifies himself; he makes people know that he is Jehovah. Israel
is made to know it by the performance of his promises to them
(<scripRef id="Ex.viii-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.6.3" parsed="|Exod|6|3|0|0" passage="Ex 6:3"><i>ch.</i> vi. 3</scripRef>), and the
Egyptians are made to know it by the pouring out of his wrath upon
them. Thus God's name is exalted both in those that are saved and
in those that perish. (2.) What method he takes to do this: he
humbles the proud, and exalts the poor, <scripRef id="Ex.viii-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:Luke.1.51-Luke.1.52" parsed="|Luke|1|51|1|52" passage="Lu 1:51,52">Luke i. 51, 52</scripRef>. If God stretch out his hand
to sinners in vain, he will at last stretch out his hand upon them;
and who can bear the weight of it?</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.viii-p4">II. Moses and Aaron apply themselves to
their work without further objection: <i>They did as the Lord
commanded them,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.viii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.7.6" parsed="|Exod|7|6|0|0" passage="Ex 7:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>. Their obedience, all things considered, was well
worthy to be celebrated, as it is by the Psalmist (<scripRef id="Ex.viii-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.105.28" parsed="|Ps|105|28|0|0" passage="Ps 105:28">Ps. cv. 28</scripRef>), <i>They rebelled not
against his word,</i> namely, Moses and Aaron, whom he mentions,
<scripRef id="Ex.viii-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.7.26" parsed="|Exod|7|26|0|0" passage="Ex 7:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>. Thus Jonah,
though at first he was very averse, at length went to Nineveh.
Notice is taken of the age of Moses and Aaron when they undertook
this glorious service. Aaron the elder (and yet the inferior in
office) was eighty-three, Moses was eighty; both of them men of
great gravity and experience, whose age was venerable, and whose
years might teach wisdom, <scripRef id="Ex.viii-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.7.7" parsed="|Exod|7|7|0|0" passage="Ex 7:7"><i>v.</i>
7</scripRef>. Joseph, who was to be only a servant to Pharaoh, was
preferred at thirty years old; but Moses, who was to be a god to
Pharaoh, was not so dignified until he was eighty years old. It was
fit that he should long wait for such an honour, and be long in
preparing for such a service.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ex.viii-p4.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.7.8-Exod.7.13" parsed="|Exod|7|8|7|13" passage="Ex 7:8-13" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.7.8-Exod.7.13">
<h4 id="Ex.viii-p4.6">Magicians of Egypt. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.viii-p4.7">b. c.</span> 1491.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ex.viii-p5">8 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.viii-p5.1">Lord</span>
spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,   9 When Pharaoh
shall speak unto you, saying, Show a miracle for you: then thou
shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast <i>it</i> before
Pharaoh, <i>and</i> it shall become a serpent.   10 And Moses
and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.viii-p5.2">Lord</span> had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod
before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.
  11 Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers:
now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their
enchantments.   12 For they cast down every man his rod, and
they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.
  13 And he hardened Pharaoh's heart, that he hearkened not
unto them; as the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.viii-p5.3">Lord</span> had said.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.viii-p6">The first time that Moses made his
application to Pharaoh, he produced his instructions only; now he
is directed to produce his credentials, and does accordingly. 1. It
is taken for granted that Pharaoh would challenge these demandants
to work a miracle, that, by a performance evidently above the power
of nature, they might prove their commission from the God of
nature. Pharaoh will say, <i>Show a miracle;</i> not with any
desire to be convinced, but with the hope that none will be
wrought, and then he would have some colour for his infidelity. 2.
Orders are therefore given to turn the rod into a serpent,
according to the instructions, <scripRef id="Ex.viii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.4.3" parsed="|Exod|4|3|0|0" passage="Ex 4:3"><i>ch.</i> iv. 3</scripRef>. The same rod that was to give
the signal of the other miracles is now itself the subject of a
miracle, to put a reputation upon it. Aaron cast his rod to the
ground, and instantly it became a serpent, <scripRef id="Ex.viii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.7.10" parsed="|Exod|7|10|0|0" passage="Ex 7:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. This was proper, not only to
affect Pharaoh with wonder, but to strike a terror upon him.
Serpents are hurtful dreadful animals; the very sight of one, thus
miraculously produced, might have softened his heart into a fear of
that God by whose power it was produced. This first miracle, though
it was not a plague, yet amounted to the threatening of a plague.
If it made not Pharaoh feel, it made him fear; and this is God's
method of dealing with sinners—he comes upon them gradually. 3.
This miracle, though too plain to be denied, is enervated, and the
conviction of it taken off, by the magicians' imitation of it,
<scripRef id="Ex.viii-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.7.11-Exod.7.12" parsed="|Exod|7|11|7|12" passage="Ex 7:11,12"><i>v.</i> 11, 12</scripRef>. Moses
had been originally instructed in the learning of the Egyptians,
and was suspected to have improved himself in magical arts in his
long retirement; the magicians are therefore sent for, to vie with
him. And some think those of that profession had a particular spite
against the Hebrews ever since Joseph put them all to shame, by
interpreting a dream which they could make nothing of, in
remembrance of which slur put on their predecessors these magicians
withstood Moses, as it is explained, <scripRef id="Ex.viii-p6.4" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.3.8" parsed="|2Tim|3|8|0|0" passage="2Ti 3:8">2
Tim. iii. 8</scripRef>. Their rods became serpents, real serpents;
some think, by the power of God, beyond their intention or
expectation, for the hardening of Pharaoh's heart; others think, by
the power of evil angels, artfully substituting serpents in the
room of the rods, God permitting the delusion to be wrought for
wise and holy ends, that those might believe a lie who received not
the truth: and herein the Lord was righteous. Yet this might have
helped to frighten Pharaoh into a compliance with the demands of
Moses, that he might be freed from these dreadful unaccountable
phenomena, with which he saw himself on all sides surrounded. But
to the seed of the serpent these serpents were no amazement. Note,
God suffers the lying spirit to do strange things, that the faith
of some may be tried and manifested (<scripRef id="Ex.viii-p6.5" osisRef="Bible:Deut.13.3 Bible:1Cor.11.19" parsed="|Deut|13|3|0|0;|1Cor|11|19|0|0" passage="De 13:3,1Co 11:19">Deut. xiii. 3; 1 Cor. xi. 19</scripRef>), that
the infidelity of others may be confirmed, and that he who is
filthy may be filthy still, <scripRef id="Ex.viii-p6.6" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.4" parsed="|2Cor|4|4|0|0" passage="2Co 4:4">2 Cor. iv.
4</scripRef>. 4. Yet, in this contest, Moses plainly gains the
victory. The serpent which Aaron's rod was turned into swallowed up
the others, which was sufficient to have convinced Pharaoh on which
side the right lay. Note, Great is the truth, and will prevail. The
cause of God will undoubtedly triumph at last over all competition
and contradiction, and will reign alone, <scripRef id="Ex.viii-p6.7" osisRef="Bible:Dan.2.44" parsed="|Dan|2|44|0|0" passage="Da 2:44">Dan. ii. 44</scripRef>. But Pharaoh was not wrought upon
by this. The magicians having produced serpents, he had this to
say, that the case between them and Moses was disputable; and the
very appearance of an opposition to truth, and the least head made
against it, serve those for a justification of their infidelity who
are prejudiced against the light and love of it.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ex.viii-p6.8" osisRef="Bible:Exod.7" parsed="|Exod|7|0|0|0" passage="Ex 7" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ex.viii-p6.9" osisRef="Bible:Exod.7.14-Exod.7.25" parsed="|Exod|7|14|7|25" passage="Ex 7:14-25" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.7.14-Exod.7.25">
<h4 id="Ex.viii-p6.10">The Plagues of Egypt. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.viii-p6.11">b. c.</span> 1491.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ex.viii-p7">14 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.viii-p7.1">Lord</span>
said unto Moses, Pharaoh's heart <i>is</i> hardened, he refuseth to
let the people go.   15 Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning;
lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the
river's brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a
serpent shalt thou take in thine hand.   16 And thou shalt say
unto him, The <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.viii-p7.2">Lord</span> God of the
Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they
may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest
not hear.   17 Thus saith the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.viii-p7.3">Lord</span>, In this thou shalt know that I <i>am</i>
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.viii-p7.4">Lord</span>: behold, I will smite with
the rod that <i>is</i> in mine hand upon the waters which
<i>are</i> in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.  
18 And the fish that <i>is</i> in the river shall die, and the
river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall loathe to drink of the
water of the river.   19 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.viii-p7.5">Lord</span> spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy
rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon
their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon
all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and
<i>that</i> there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt,
both in <i>vessels of</i> wood, and in <i>vessels of</i> stone.
  20 And Moses and Aaron did so, as the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.viii-p7.6">Lord</span> commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and
smote the waters that <i>were</i> in the river, in the sight of
Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that
<i>were</i> in the river were turned to blood.   21 And the
fish that <i>was</i> in the river died; and the river stank, and
the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there
was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.   22 And the
magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's
heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.viii-p7.7">Lord</span> had said.   23 And Pharaoh
turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to
this also.   24 And all the Egyptians digged round about the
river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of
the river.   25 And seven days were fulfilled, after that the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.viii-p7.8">Lord</span> had smitten the river.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.viii-p8">Here is the first of the ten plagues, the
turning of the water into blood, which was, 1. A dreadful plague,
and very grievous. The very sight of such vast rolling streams of
blood, pure blood no doubt, florid and high-colored, could not but
strike a horror upon people: much more afflictive were the
consequences of it. Nothing more common than water: so wisely has
Providence ordered it, and so kindly, that that which is so needful
and serviceable to the comfort of human life should be cheap, and
almost everywhere to be had; but now the Egyptians must either
drink blood, or die for thirst. Fish was much of their food
(<scripRef id="Ex.viii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.11.5" parsed="|Num|11|5|0|0" passage="Nu 11:5">Num. xi. 5</scripRef>), but the
changing of the waters was the death of the fish; it was a
pestilence in that element (<scripRef id="Ex.viii-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.7.21" parsed="|Exod|7|21|0|0" passage="Ex 7:21"><i>v.</i>
21</scripRef>): <i>The fish died.</i> In the general deluge they
escaped, because perhaps they had not then contributed so much to
the luxury of man as they have since; but in this particular
judgment they perished (<scripRef id="Ex.viii-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.105.29" parsed="|Ps|105|29|0|0" passage="Ps 105:29">Ps. cv.
29</scripRef>): <i>He slew their fish;</i> and when another
destruction of Egypt, long afterwards, is threatened, the
disappointment of those that make sluices and ponds for fish is
particularly noticed, <scripRef id="Ex.viii-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.19.10" parsed="|Isa|19|10|0|0" passage="Isa 19:10">Isa. xix.
10</scripRef>. Egypt was a pleasant land, but the noisome stench of
dead fish and blood, which by degrees would grow putrid, now
rendered it very unpleasant. 2. It was a righteous plague, and
justly inflicted upon the Egyptians. For, (1.) Nilus, the river of
Egypt, was their idol; they and their land derived so much benefit
from it that they served and worshipped it more than the Creator.
The true fountain of the Nile being unknown to them, they paid all
their devotions to its streams: here therefore God punished them,
and turned that into blood which they had turned into a god. Note,
That creature which we idolize God justly removes from us, or
embitters to us. He makes that a scourge to us which we make a
competitor with him. (2.) They had stained the river with the blood
of the Hebrews' children, and now God made that river all bloody.
Thus he gave them blood to drink, for they were worthy, <scripRef id="Ex.viii-p8.5" osisRef="Bible:Rev.16.6" parsed="|Rev|16|6|0|0" passage="Re 16:6">Rev. xvi. 6</scripRef>. Note, Never any thirsted
after blood, but, sooner or later, they had enough of it. 3. It was
a significant plague. Egypt had a great dependence upon their river
(<scripRef id="Ex.viii-p8.6" osisRef="Bible:Zech.14.18" parsed="|Zech|14|18|0|0" passage="Zec 14:18">Zech. xiv. 18</scripRef>), so that
in smiting the river they were warned of the destruction of all the
productions of their country, till it came at last to their
firstborn; and this red river proved a direful omen of the ruin of
Pharaoh and all his forces in the Red Sea. This plague of Egypt is
alluded to in the prediction of the ruin of the enemies of the
New-Testament church, <scripRef id="Ex.viii-p8.7" osisRef="Bible:Rev.16.3-Rev.16.4" parsed="|Rev|16|3|16|4" passage="Re 16:3,4">Rev. xvi. 3,
4</scripRef>. But there the sea, as well as the rivers and
fountains of water, is turned into blood; for spiritual judgments
reach further, and strike deeper, than temporal judgments do. And,
<i>lastly,</i> let me observe in general concerning this plague
that one of the first miracles Moses wrought was turning water into
blood, but one of the first miracles our Lord Jesus wrought was
turning water into wine; for the law was given by Moses, and it was
a dispensation of death and terror; but grace and truth, which,
like wine, make glad the heart, came by Jesus Christ. Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.viii-p9">I. Moses is directed to give Pharaoh
warning of this plague. "Pharaoh's heart is hardened (<scripRef id="Ex.viii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.7.14" parsed="|Exod|7|14|0|0" passage="Ex 7:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>), therefore go and try
what this will do to soften it," <scripRef id="Ex.viii-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.7.15" parsed="|Exod|7|15|0|0" passage="Ex 7:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>. Moses perhaps may not be
admitted into Pharaoh's presence-chamber, or the room of state
where he used to give audience to ambassadors; and therefore he is
directed to meet him by the river's brink, whither God foresaw he
would come in the morning, either for the pleasure of a morning's
walk or to pay his morning devotions to the river: for thus all
people will walk, every one in the name of his god; they will not
fail to worship their god every morning. There Moses must be ready
to give him a new summons to surrender, and, in case of a refusal,
to tell him of the judgment that was coming upon that very river on
the banks of which they were now standing. Notice is thus given him
of it beforehand, that they might have no colour to say it was a
chance, or to attribute it to any other cause, but that it might
appear to be done by the power of the God of the Hebrews, and as a
punishment upon him for his obstinacy. Moses is expressly ordered
to take the rod with him, that Pharaoh might be alarmed at the
sight of that rod which had so lately triumphed over the rods of
the magicians. Now learn hence, 1. That the judgments of God are
all known to himself beforehand. He knows what he will do in wrath
as well as in mercy. Every consumption is a consumption determined,
<scripRef id="Ex.viii-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.10.23" parsed="|Isa|10|23|0|0" passage="Isa 10:23">Isa. x. 23</scripRef>. 2. That men
cannot escape the alarms of God's wrath, because they cannot go out
of the hearing of their own consciences: he that made their hearts
can make his sword to approach them. 3. That God warns before he
wounds; for he is <i>long-suffering, not willing that any should
perish, but that all should come to repentance.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.viii-p10">II. Aaron (who carried the mace) is
directed to summon the plague by smiting the river with his rod,
<scripRef id="Ex.viii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.7.19-Exod.7.20" parsed="|Exod|7|19|7|20" passage="Ex 7:19,20"><i>v.</i> 19, 20</scripRef>. It was
done in the sight of Pharaoh and his attendants; for God's true
miracles were not performed, as Satan's lying wonders were, by
those that peeped and muttered: truth seeks no corners. An amazing
change was immediately wrought; all the waters, not only in the
rivers but in all their ponds, were turned into blood. 1. See here
the almighty power of God. Every creature is that to us which he
makes it to be, water or blood. 2. See the mutability of all things
under the sun, and what changes we may meet with in them. That
which is water to-day may be blood to-morrow; what is always vain
may soon become vexatious. A river, at the best, is transient; but
divine justice can quickly make it malignant. 3. See what
mischievous work sin makes. if the things that have been our
comforts prove our crosses, we must thank ourselves: it is sin that
turns our waters into blood.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.viii-p11">III. Pharaoh endeavours to confront the
miracle, because he resolves not to humble himself under the
plague. He sends for the magicians, and, by God's permission, they
ape the miracle with their enchantments (<scripRef id="Ex.viii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.7.22" parsed="|Exod|7|22|0|0" passage="Ex 7:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>), and this serves Pharaoh for an
excuse not to set his heart to this also (<scripRef id="Ex.viii-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.7.23" parsed="|Exod|7|23|0|0" passage="Ex 7:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>), and a pitiful excuse it was.
Could they have turned the river of blood into water again, this
would have been something to the purpose; then they would have
proved their power, and Pharaoh would have been obliged to them as
his benefactors. But for them, when there was such scarcity of
water, to turn more of it into blood, only to show their art,
plainly intimates that the design of the devil is only to delude
his devotees and amuse them, not to do them any real kindness, but
to keep them from doing a real kindness to themselves by repenting
and returning to their God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.viii-p12">IV. The Egyptians, in the meantime, are
seeking for relief against the plague, digging round about the
river for water to drink, <scripRef id="Ex.viii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.7.24" parsed="|Exod|7|24|0|0" passage="Ex 7:24"><i>v.</i>
24</scripRef>. Probably they found some, with much ado, God
remembering mercy in the midst of wrath; for he is full of
compassion, and would not let the subjects smart too much for the
obstinacy of their prince.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.viii-p13">V. The plague continued seven days
(<scripRef id="Ex.viii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.7.25" parsed="|Exod|7|25|0|0" passage="Ex 7:25"><i>v.</i> 25</scripRef>), and, in all
that time, Pharaoh's proud heart would not let him so much as
desire Moses to intercede for the removal of it. Thus the
hypocrites in heart heap up wrath; <i>they cry not when he binds
them</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.viii-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.13" parsed="|Job|36|13|0|0" passage="Job 36:13">Job xxxvi. 13</scripRef>);
and then no wonder that his anger is not turned away, but his hand
is stretched out still.</p>
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