Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc09/v09550

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 6KB | 114 lines

09553
 #16-22 Moses' success with the elders of Israel would be good.
 God, who, by his grace, inclines the heart, and opens the ear,
 could say beforehand, They shall hearken to thy voice; for he
 would make them willing in this day of power. As to Pharaoh,
 Moses is here told that petitions and persuasions, and humble
 complaints, would not prevail with him; nor a mighty hand
 stretched out in signs and wonders. But those will certainly be
 broken by the power of God's hand, who will not bow to the power
 of his word. Pharaoh's people should furnish Israel with riches
 at their departure. In Pharaoh's tyranny and Israel's
 oppression, we see the miserable, abject state of sinners.
 However galling the yoke, they drudge on till the Lord sends
 redemption. With the invitations of the gospel, God sends the
 teaching of his Spirit. Thus are men made willing to seek and to
 strive for deliverance. Satan loses his power to hold them, they
 come forth with all they have and are, and apply all to the
 glory of God and the service of his church.
09560
 * God gives Moses power to work miracles. (1-9) Moses is loath to
 be sent, Aaron is to assist him. (10-17) Moses leaves Midian,
 God's message to Pharaoh. (18-23) God's displeasure against
 Moses, Aaron meets him, The people believe them. (24-31)

 #1-9 Moses objects, that the people would not take his word,
 unless he showed them some sign. God gives him power to work
 miracles. But those who are now employed to deliver God's
 messages to men, need not the power to work miracles: their
 character and their doctrines are to be tried by that word of
 God to which they appeal. These miracles especially referred to
 the miracles of the Lord Jesus Christ. It belonged to Him only,
 to cast the power of the devil out of the soul, and to heal the
 soul of the leprosy of sin; and so it was for Him first to cast
 the devil out of the body, and to heal the leprosy of the body.

09569
 #10-17 Moses continued backward to the work God designed him
 for; there was much of cowardice, slothfulness, and unbelief in
 him. We must not judge of men by the readiness of their
 discourse. A great deal of wisdom and true worth may be with a
 slow tongue. God sometimes makes choice of those as his
 messengers, who have the least of the advantages of art or
 nature, that his grace in them may appear the more glorious.
 Christ's disciples were no orators, till the Holy Spirit made
 them such. God condescends to answer the excuse of Moses. Even
 self-diffidence, when it hinders us from duty, or clogs us in
 duty, is very displeasing to the Lord. But while we blame Moses
 for shrinking from this dangerous service, let us ask our own
 hearts if we are not neglecting duties more easy, and less
 perilous. The tongue of Aaron, with the head and heart of Moses,
 would make one completely fit for this errand. God promises, I
 will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth. Even Aaron, who
 could speak well, yet could not speak to purpose, unless God
 gave constant teaching and help; for without the constant aid of
 Divine grace, the best gifts will fail.

09577
 #18-23 After God had appeared in the bush, he often spake to
 Moses. Pharaoh had hardened his own heart against the groans and
 cries of the oppressed Israelites; and now God, in the way of
 righteous judgment, hardens his heart against the teaching of
 the miracles, and the terror of the plagues. But whether Pharaoh
 will hear, or whether he will forbear, Moses must tell him, Thus
 saith the Lord. He must demand a discharge for Israel, Let my
 son go; not only my servant, whom thou hast no right to detain,
 but my son. It is my son that serves me, and therefore must be
 spared, must be pleaded for. In case of refusal I will slay thy
 son, even thy first-born. As men deal with God's people, let
 them expect so to be dealt with.

09583
 #24-31 God met Moses in anger. The Lord threatened him with
 death or sent sickness upon him, as the punishment of his having
 neglected to circumcise his son. When God discovers to us what
 is amiss in our lives, we must give all diligence to amend it
 speedily. This is the voice of every rod; it calls us to return
 to Him that smites us. God sent Aaron to meet Moses. The more
 they saw of God's bringing them together, the more pleasant
 their interview was. The elders of Israel met them in faith, and
 were ready to obey them. It often happens, that less difficulty
 is found than was expected, in such undertakings as are
 according to the will of God, and for his glory. Let us but
 arise and try at our proper work, the Lord will be with us and
 prosper us. If Israel welcomed the tidings of their deliverance,
 and worshipped the Lord, how should we welcome the glad tidings
 of redemption, embrace it in faith, and adore the Redeemer!
09591
 * Pharaoh's displeasure, He increases the tasks of the
 Israelites. (1-9) The sufferings of the Israelites, Moses'
 complaint to God. (10-23)

 #1-9 God will own his people, though poor and despised, and will
 find a time to plead their cause. Pharaoh treated all he had
 heard with contempt. He had no knowledge of Jehovah, no fear of
 him, no love to him, and therefore refused to obey him. Thus
 Pharaoh's pride, ambition, covetousness, and political
 knowledge, hardened him to his own destruction. What Moses and
 Aaron ask is very reasonable, only to go three days' journey
 into the desert, and that on a good errand. We will sacrifice
 unto the Lord our God. Pharaoh was very unreasonable, in saying
 that the people were idle, and therefore talked of going to
 sacrifice. He thus misrepresents them, that he might have a
 pretence to add to their burdens. To this day we find many who
 are more disposed to find fault with their neighbours, for
 spending in the service of God a few hours spared from their
 worldly business, than to blame others, who give twice the time
 to sinful pleasures. Pharaoh's command was barbarous. Moses and
 Aaron themselves must get to the burdens. Persecutors take
 pleasure in putting contempt and hardship upon ministers. The
 usual tale of bricks must be made, without the usual allowance
 of straw to mix with the clay. Thus more work was to be laid
 upon the men, which, if they performed, they would be broken
 with labour; and if not, they would be punished.