Exodus (Section 8-10)

Section 8

"They shall take to them every Man a Lamb, according to the House of their Fathers, a Lamb
for an House: And if the Household be too little for the Lamb, let him and his Neighbor next unto
his House take it according to the Number of the Souls; every Man according to his Eating shall
make your count for the Lamb."—Exodus 12:3-4 The lamb was to be eaten, all eaten, eaten by all, and eaten at once. The Lord Jesus is to be received into the soul as its food, and this is to be done with a whole Christ, by each one of his people, and done just now. The whole subject of the Passover is rich in instruction; we will confine ourselves to the particulars within this verse.

I. The Text reminds us of a Primary Privilege.

1. That each man of Israel ate the passover for himself, "every man according to his eating." So do we feed upon Jesus, each one as his appetite, capacity, and strength enable him to do.

2. But this same delicious fare should be enjoyed by all the family: "a lamb for an house." Oh, that each of the parents, and all the children and servants may be partakers of Christ! By teaching, training, prayer and holy example, this favor may be secured, for the Holy Spirit will add his blessing.

Let not these two favors be despised. Let no man be content without personal salvation, nor without the salvation of his whole house. We have both promised in that famous text, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."

II. The Text is silent as to a certain Contingency

1. The lamb was never too little for the family; and assuredly the Lord Jesus is never too little even for the largest families, nor for the most sinful persons.

2. There is no reason to stint our prayers for fear we ask too much.

3. Nor to stay our labors because the Lord Jesus cannot give us strength enough, or grace enough.

4. Nor to restrain our hopes of salvation for the whole family because of some supposed narrowness in the purpose, provision, or willingness of the Lord to bless.

"Every man according to his eating" may feast to the full upon Christ. Every believing sinner may take Christ to himself, and there is no fear that one will be refused, for "it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell."

III. The Text mentions a Possibility, and provides for it.

There may be a want of persons to feed upon the Lamb, though there can be no lack of food for them to feed upon. The last thing that was supplied to the great marriage feast was guests. The oxen and the fatlings were killed, and all things were ready, long before "the wedding was furnished with guests."

1. One family is certainly too small a reward for Jesus—too little for the lamb.

2. One family is too little to render him all the praise, worship, service, and love which he deserves.

3. One family is too little to do all the work of proclaiming the Lamb of God, maintaining the truth, visiting the church, winning the world. Therefore let us call in the neighbor next unto our house. Our next neighbor has the first claim upon us.

He is the most easy to reach, and by each calling his next neighbor all will be reached.

He is the most likely person to be influenced by us. At any rate there is the rule, and we are to obey it—"Beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47). We read of Andrew, "He first findeth his own brother Simon" (John 1:41). Those who repaired Jerusalem built every man over against his own house (Nehemiah 3:28).

If our neighbor does not come when invited we are not responsible; but if he perished because we did not invite him, blood guiltiness would be upon us. "If thou dost not speak . . . his blood will I require at thine hand" (Ezekiel 33:8).

IV. The whole Subject suggests Thoughts upon neighborly Fellowship in the Gospel.

1. It is good for individuals and families to grow out of selfishness, and to seek the good of a wide circle.

2. It is a blessed thing when the center of our society is "the Lamb."

3. Innumerable blessings already flow to us from the friendships which have sprung out of our union in Jesus. Church fellowship has been fruitful in this direction.

4. Our care for another in Christ helps to realize the unity of the one body, even as the common eating of the Passover proclaimed and assisted the solidarity of the people of Israel as one nation. This spiritual union is a high privilege.

5. Thoroughly carried out, heaven will thus be foreshadowed upon earth, for there love to Jesus and love to one another is found in every heart.

Let us be personal in our piety, and never be put off with a mere national religion or family profession.

Let us be generous in our religion, and never neglect our families, our friends, or the neighborhood in which we dwell.

Things of Interest A little boy asked his mother which of the characters in "The Pilgrim's Progress" she liked best. She replied, "Christian, of course; he is the hero of the whole story." Her son said, "I don't, mother, I like Christiana best; for when Christian went on his pilgrimage he started alone, but when Christiana went she took the children with her."

"The Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark." True religion thinks of the house. I once knew a man who walked a long distance to hear what he called "the truth." Neither his wife nor any of his children went to any place of worship, and when he was asked about them by me, he told me that "the Lord would save his own"; to which I could not help replying that the Lord would not own him. For this he demanded a warrant, and I gave him this—"He that provideth not for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." Does God acknowledge such persons as his elect? A man was going to his work one morning, when he was told that the river had burst its banks, and was sweeping down the valley carrying death and destruction wherever it went. His informant did not seem much concerned about the matter, but the brave workman immediately rushed off down to the lower part of the valley, shouting, "If that's so, somebody has got to let the people know." By his timely warning he saved the lives of many people.

Eating together is one of the most effectual symbols of fellowship; hence the Passover and the Lord's Supper remind us of our oneness in Christ. Never let us eat our morsel alone. When we eat the fat and drink the sweet, let us joyfully send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared.

Section 9 "Wherefore criest thou unto me?"—Exodus 14:15

There may come a time when this question needs to be asked even of a Moses. There is a period when crying should give place to action: when prayer is heard and the Red Sea is dividing, it would be shameful disobedience to remain trembling and praying. Therefore Moses must lift his rod and speak to the children of Israel that they go forward. Every fruit of the Spirit comes in its season, and is then most precious: out of season even prayer comes not to perfection. Ask, by all means; but prepare yourself to receive. Seek earnestly; but do not hold back when the hour arrives for you to find. Knock, and knock again; but hasten to enter as soon as the door is open. When we ought to believe that we have the mercy, why do we continue to cry for it as though we had not obtained it? When increased faith is all that is wanted, why are we seeking the blessing which God places within reach of our faith? When duty is quite clear, why hesitate to perform it, and make prayer an excuse for our delay? The question should be asked of all who pray, "Wherefore criest thou unto me?"

I. Sometimes the Answer will be very Unsatisfactory.

1. Because I was brought up to do so. Some have perpetrated gross hypocrisy through repeating forms of prayer which they learned in childhood. We have heard of one who prayed for his father and mother in his old age (John 4:24).

2. It is a part of my religion. These pray as a Dervish dances or a Fakir holds his arm aloft; but they know nothing of the spiritual reality of prayer (Matthew 6:7).

3. It is a right thing to do. So indeed it is if we pray aright; but the mere repetition of pious words is vanity (Isaiah 29:13).

4. I feel easier in my mind after it. Ought you to feel easier? May not your formal prayers be a mockery of God, and so an increase of sin? (Isaiah 1:12-15; Ezekiel 20:31).

5. I think it meritorious and saving. This is sheer falsehood, and a high offense against the merit and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus.

II. Sometimes the Answer will betray Ignorance.

1. When it hinders immediate repentance. Instead of quitting sin and mourning over it, some men talk of praying. "To obey is better than sacrifice," and better than supplication.

2. When it keeps from faith in Jesus. The gospel is not "pray and be saved"; but "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Matthew 7:21; John 6:47).

3. When we suppose that it fits us for Jesus. We must come to him as sinners, and not set up our prayers as a sort of righteousness (Luke 18:11-12).

4. When we think that prayer alone will bring a blessing.

III. Sometimes the Answer will be quite Correct.

1. Because I must. I am in trouble, and must pray or perish. Sighs and cries are not made to order, they are the irresistible outbursts of the heart (Psalms 42:1; Romans 8:26).

2. Because I know I shall be heard, and therefore I feel a strong desire to deal with God in supplication. "Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him" (Psalms 116:2).

3. Because I delight in it: it brings rest to my mind, and hope to my heart. It is a sweet means of communion with my God. "It is good for me to draw near to God" (Psalms 73:28).

4. Because I feel that I can best express the little faith and repentance I have by crying to the Lord for more.

5. Because these grow as I pray. No doubt we may pray ourselves into a good frame if God the Holy Ghost blesses us.

6. Because I look for all from God, and therefore I cry to him (Psalms 62:5). He will be inquired of by us (Ezekiel 36:37). Where must those be who depend upon their own prayers?

What are those who live without prayer?

What are those who can give no reason for praying, but superstitiously repeat words without heart?

Cases in Point, etc. An anxious inquirer, to whom I had plainly put the great Gospel command, "Believe in the Lord Jesus," constantly baffled my attempts to lead her out of self to Christ. At last she cried out, "Pray for me! pray for me!" She seemed greatly shocked when I replied, "I will do nothing of the kind. I have prayed for you before; but if you refuse to believe the word of the Lord, I do not see what I can pray for. The Lord bids you believe his Son, and if you will not do so, but persist in making God a liar, you will perish, and you richly deserve it." This brought her to her bearings. She begged me again to tell her the way of salvation, she quietly received it as a little child, her frame quivered, her face brightened, and she cried, "Sir, I can believe, I do believe, and I am saved. Thank you for refusing to comfort me in my unbelief." Then she said very softly, "Will you not pray for me now?" Assuredly I did, and we rejoiced together that we could offer the prayer of faith. A good illustration of the need of following up prayer by effort may be found in the following anecdote: A scholar was remarkable for repeating her lessons well. Her school-fellow, rather idly inclined, said to her one day, "How is it that you always say your lessons so perfectly?" She replied, "I always pray that I may say my lessons well." "Do you?" said the other; "well then, I will pray, too;" but alas! the next morning she could not even repeat a word of her usual task. Very much confounded, she ran to her friend, and reproached her as deceitful. "I prayed," said she, "but I could not say a single word of my lesson." "Perhaps," rejoined the other, "you took no pains to learn it." "Learn it! Learn it! I did not learn it at all," answered the first. "I thought I had no occasion to learn it, when I prayed that I might say it." The mistake is a very common one. In a great thaw on one of the American rivers, there was a man on one of the cakes of ice, which was not yet actually separated from the unbroken mass. In his terror, however, he did not see this, but knelt down and began to pray aloud for God to deliver him. The spectators on the shore cried loudly to him, "Man, man, stop praying, and run for the shore." So I would say to some of you, "Rest not in praying, but believe in Jesus."—Quoted in "The Christian," 1874. On one occasion when Bunyan was endeavoring to pray, the tempter suggested "that neither the mercy of God, nor yet the blood of Christ, at all concerned him, nor could they help him by reason of his sin; therefore it was vain to pray." Yet he thought with himself, "I will pray." "But," said the tempter, "your sin is unpardonable." "Well," said he, "I will pray." "It is to no boot," said the adversary. And still he answered, "I will pray." And so he began his prayer, "Lord, Satan tells me that neither thy mercy nor Christ's blood is sufficient to save my soul. Lord, shall I honor thee most by believing thou wilt and canst? or him, by believing thou neither wilt nor canst? Lord, I would fain honor thee by believing that thou canst and wilt." And while he was thus speaking, "as if someone had clapped him on the back," that Scripture fastened on his mind, "O man, great is thy faith."

Seek thou thy God alone by prayer, And thou shalt doubt—perchance despair; But seek him also by endeavor, And thou shalt find him gracious ever.

Section 10

"Then Moses stood in the Gate of the Camp, and said, Who is on
the Lord's Side? Let him come unto me. And all the Sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him."—Exodus 32:26

Israel had rebelled against Jehovah, and had set up the golden calf. Moses appeared among them, and in great wrath threw down their idol and rebuked Aaron. The people were awe-struck by the presence of the servant of the Lord, and sought their tents, save only a number of the more hardened who brazened it out. Moses, feeling that this great rebellion must be crushed and punished, summoned the faithful to his standard, and those who came were of the tribe of Levi. These, with stern fidelity, fulfilled their mission, and hence were made teachers of Israel for ever. Decision is that which the Lord looks for in his ministers, and when he sees it he will reward it. Remember the blessing of Levi in Deuteronomy 33—"And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah; Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant. They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar."

All true men ought to be decided, for a dreadful conflict is going on at this present day, and a curse will fall on neutrals.

I. The Conflict, and which is the Lord's Side.

Belief in God against atheism and other forms of unbelief.

Scripture in opposition to false philosophy and "modern thought." The gospel versus superstition.

Christ versus self-righteousness. The commands of God versus self-pleasing.

Holiness and right against sin and oppression.

II. The Lord's Friends and what they must do.

They must own their allegiance openly—"Consecrate yourselves today to the Lord" (verse 29).

They should come out and rally to the standard—"Who is on the Lord's side? let him come unto me." We do this by open union with the Church, by boldly rebuking sin, by testifying for truth, by not conforming to the world, and by conforming to Christ our Lord (2 Corinthians 8:5).

They must be willing to be in a minority, one tribe against eleven, if need be.

They must become aggressive—"Put every man his sword by his side" (verse 27). Their zeal must overmaster nature's ties—"Neither did he acknowledge his brethren," etc. (Deuteronomy 33:9).

They must do what they are bidden—"And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses" (Exodus 32:28).

III. The Lord's Host and its Encouragements. Their cause is that of right and truth. A good cause is a firm foundation and a powerful stimulus of valor.

It is the cause of the Almighty God. "They have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant" (Deuteronomy 33:9).

Christ himself is our Captain. Who can hesitate with such a Chieftain? "A leader and commander for the people" (Isaiah 55:4). The angels are with us. Horses of fire and chariots of fire are round about the Lord's servants (2 Kings 6:17).

Thousands of the best of men have been on this side (Hebrews 12:1).

It is the side of conscience, and of a clean heart. It is that side of the warfare which ends in heaven and victory, world without end (Revelation 19:14).

IV. The Question of the Text, and Proposals for Enlistment.

Take the shilling—by faith receive the promise.

Put on the colors—by confessing Christ openly in baptism.

Submit to drill—be willing to learn, and yield to discipline.

Put on the regimentals—wear the garments of holiness, the livery of love, the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-18).

Gird on your sword—"The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

Enter on civil war first—wage war within your own soul-slay sin, conquer self, cast down high looks, etc.

March to the field—fight with falsehood, superstition, cruelty, oppression, drunkenness, uncleanness, and sin of every sort, anywhere and everywhere.

Illustrative Extracts

"We trust the Lord is on our side, Mr. Lincoln," said the speaker of a delegation of Christian people to that good man, during one of the darkest days of the American Civil War. "I do not regard that as so essential as something else," replied Mr. Lincoln. The worthy visitors looked horror-struck, until the President added: "I am most concerned to know that we are on the Lord's side."

Mr. Lincoln was right. The right side is not my side nor your side. The Lord's side is the place to which every one of us should rally. His banner has right, truth, love, and holiness written on it. Be sure you stand up for God's banner, even if you stand alone.

Guizot, in his life of St. Louis of France, says that the latter had many vassals who were also vassals of the King of England, and that many subtle and difficult questions arose as to the extent of the service which they owed to these kings. At length the French king commanded all those nobles who held lands in English territory to appear before him, and then he said to them, "As it is impossible for any man living in my kingdom and having possessions in England rightly to serve two masters, you must either attach yourselves altogether to me, or inseparably to the King of England." After saying this, he gave them a certain day by which to make their choice. The Son of God goes forth to war, A kingly crown to gain; His blood-red banner streams afar: Who follows in his train? etc.

"Set down my name, sir." According to Bunyan, these were the words of the man who fought his way into the palace, and who was welcomed with the song—

Come in, come in, Eternal glory thou shalt win. A dear friend of mine, the head of a family of grown-up sons and daughters, lately passed away very suddenly. The day before he died, all the members of the household were with him, including one who had recently, like the rest, experienced the power of saving grace. The father's joy was great, as he put his hand upon one after another of his offspring, saying with an overflowing heart, "And this one on the Lord's side! and this one on the Lord's side!" How would it be with our hearer should he have to stand at the death-bed of a godly parent? Would that parent rejoice over him because he is on the Lord's side?