Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc09/v09800

Text File | 1994-03-01 | 10KB | 176 lines

09803
 #29-36 The Egyptians had been for three days and nights kept in
 anxiety and horror by the darkness; now their rest is broken by
 a far more terrible calamity. The plague struck their
 first-born, the joy and hope of their families. They had slain
 the Hebrews' children, now God slew theirs. It reached from the
 throne to the dungeon: prince and peasant stand upon the same
 level before God's judgments. The destroying angel entered every
 dwelling unmarked with blood, as the messenger of woe. He did
 his dreadful errand, leaving not a house in which there was not
 one dead. Imagine then the cry that rang through the land of
 Egypt, the long, loud shriek of agony that burst from every
 dwelling. It will be thus in that dreadful hour when the Son of
 man shall visit sinners with the last judgment. God's sons, his
 first-born, were now released. Men had better come to God's
 terms at first, for he will never come to theirs. Now Pharaoh's
 pride is abased, and he yields. God's word will stand; we get
 nothing by disputing, or delaying to submit. In this terror the
 Egyptians would purchase the favour and the speedy departure of
 Israel. Thus the Lord took care that their hard-earned wages
 should be paid, and the people provided for their journey.

09811
 #37-42 The children of Israel set forward without delay. A mixed
 multitude went with them. Some, perhaps, willing to leave their
 country, laid waste by plagues; others, out of curiosity;
 perhaps a few out of love to them and their religion. But there
 were always those among the Israelites who were not Israelites.
 Thus there are still hypocrites in the church. This great event
 was 430 years from the promise made to Abraham: see #Ga 3:17|.
 So long the promise of a settlement was unfulfilled. But though
 God's promises are not performed quickly, they will be, in their
 season. This is that night of the Lord, that remarkable night,
 to be celebrated in all generations. The great things God does
 for his people, are to be not only a few days' wonder, but to be
 remembered throughout all ages; especially the work of our
 redemption by Christ. This first passover-night was a night of
 the Lord, much to be observed; but the last passover-night, in
 which Christ was betrayed and in which the first passover, with
 the rest of the Jewish ceremonies, was done away, was a night of
 the Lord, much more to be observed. Then a yoke, heavier than
 that of Egypt, was broken from off our necks, and a land, better
 than that of Canaan, set before us. It was a redemption to be
 celebrated in heaven, for ever and ever.

09817
 #43-51 In times to come, all the congregation of Israel must
 keep the passover. All that share in God's mercies should join
 in thankful praises for them. The New Testament passover, the
 Lord's supper, ought not to be neglected by any. Strangers, if
 circumcised, might eat of the passover. Here is an early
 indication of favour to the gentiles. This taught the Jews that
 their being a nation favoured by God, entitled them to their
 privileges, not their descent from Abraham. Christ our passover
 is sacrificed for us, #1Co 5:7|; his blood is the only ransom
 for our souls; without the shedding of it there is no remission;
 without the sprinkling of it there can be no salvation. Have we,
 by faith in him, sheltered our souls from deserved vengeance
 under the protection of his atoning blood? Do we keep close to
 him, constantly depending upon him? Do we so profess our faith
 in the Redeemer, and our obligations to him, that all who pass
 by may know to whom we belong? Do we stand prepared for his
 service, ready to walk in his ways, and to separate ourselves
 from his enemies? These are questions of vast importance to the
 soul; may the Lord direct our consciences honestly to answer
 them.
09826
 * The first-born sanctified to God The remembrance of the
 passover commanded. (1-10) The firstlings of beasts set apart.
 (11-16) Joseph's bones carried with the Israelites, They come to
 Etham. (17-20) God guides the Israelites by a pillar of cloud and
 fire. (21,22)

 #1-10 In remembrance of the destruction of the first-born of
 Egypt, both of man and of beast, and the deliverance of the
 Israelites out of bondage, the first-born males of the
 Israelites were set apart to the Lord. By this was set before
 them, that their lives were preserved through the ransom of the
 atonement, which in due time was to be made for sin. They were
 also to consider their lives, thus ransomed from death, as now
 to be consecrated to the service of God. The parents were not to
 look upon themselves as having any right in their first-born,
 till they solemnly presented them to God, and allowed his title
 to them. That which is, by special mercy, spared to us, should
 be applied to God's honour; at least, some grateful
 acknowledgment, in works of piety and charity, should be made.
 The remembrance of their coming out of Egypt must be kept up
 every year. The day of Christ's resurrection is to be
 remembered, for in it we were raised up with Christ out of
 death's house of bondage. The Scripture tells us not expressly
 what day of the year Christ rose, but it states particularly
 what day of the week it was; as the more valuable deliverance,
 it should be remembered weekly. The Israelites must keep the
 feast of unleavened bread. Under the gospel, we must not only
 remember Christ, but observe his holy supper. Do this in
 remembrance of him. Also care must be taken to teach children
 the knowledge of God. Here is an old law for catechising. It is
 of great use to acquaint children betimes with the histories of
 the Bible. And those who have God's law in their heart should
 have it in their mouth, and often speak of it, to affect
 themselves, and to teach others.

09836
 #11-16 The firstlings of beasts not used in sacrifice, were to be
 changed for others so used, or they were to be destroyed. Our
 souls are forfeited to God's justice, and unless ransomed by the
 sacrifice of Christ, will certainly perish. These institutions
 would continually remind them of their duty, to love and serve
 the Lord. In like manner, baptism and the Lord's supper, if
 explained and attended to, would remind us, and give us occasion
 to remind one another of our profession and duty.

09842
 #17-20 There were two ways from Egypt to Canaan. One was only a
 few 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. The Egyptians were to be drowned in the Red sea;
 the Israelites were to be humbled and proved in the wilderness.
 God's way is the right way, though it seems about. 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. The Philistines were powerful enemies; it was
 needful that the Israelites should be prepared for the wars of
 Canaan, by passing through the difficulties of the wilderness.
 Thus God proportions his people's trials to their strength, #1Co
 10:13|. They went up in good order. They went up in five in a
 rank,so some; in five bands, so others, which it seems rather to
 mean. They took the bones of Joseph with them. It was an encouragement to
 their faith and hope, that God would bring them to Canaan, in
 expectation of which they carried these bones with them while in
 the desert.
09846
 #21,22 The Lord went before them in a pillar, or appearance of
 the Divine Majesty. Christ was with the church in the
 wilderness, #1Co 10:9|. Those whom God brings into a wilderness,
 he will not leave nor lose there, but will take care to lead
 them through it. It was great satisfaction to Moses and the
 pious Israelites, to be sure that they were under Divine
 guidance. 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 sure that the Lord goes before them, though they
 cannot see it with their eyes: we must now live by faith. When
 Israel marched, this pillar went before, and pointed out the
 place of encampment, as Divine Wisdom saw fit. It sheltered by
 day from the heat, and gave light by night. The Bible is a light
 to our feet, a lantern to our paths, with which the Saviour's
 love has provided us. It testifies of Christ. It is to us like
 the pillar to the Israelites. Listen to that voice which cries,
 I am the Light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk
 in darkness, but shall have the Light of life, #Joh 8:12|. Jesus
 Christ alone, as shown in the Bible, and as the Holy Spirit, in
 answer to prayer, recommends him to the soul, is the Way, the
 Truth, and the Life, #Joh 14:6|.
09848
 * God directs the Israelites to Pihahiroth, Pharaoh pursues
 after them. (1-9) The Israelites murmur, Moses comforts them.
 (10-14) God instructs Moses, The cloud between the Israelites
 and the Egyptians. (15-20) The Israelites pass through the Red
 sea, which drowns the Egyptians. (21-31)

 #1-9 Pharaoh would think that all Israel was entangled in the
 wilderness, and so would become an easy prey. But God says, I
 will be honoured upon Pharaoh. All men being made for the honour
 of their Maker, those whom he is not honoured by, he will be
 honoured upon. What seems to tend to the church's ruin, is often
 overruled to the ruin of the church's enemies. While Pharaoh
 gratified his malice and revenge, he furthered the bringing to
 pass God's counsels concerning him. Though with the greatest
 reason he had let Israel go, yet now he was angry with himself
 for it. God makes the envy and rage of men against his people, a
 torment to themselves. Those who set their faces heavenward, and
 will live godly in Christ Jesus, must expect to be set upon by
 Satan's temptations and terrors. He will not tamely part with
 any out of his service.