Exodus 4
SIBVer. 3, 4. This change of his rod signified that his ministry and miracles would be destructive as serpents to the Egyptians, but helpful and directive to the Hebrews. In like manner, his laws are to unbelievers a killing letter, a ministration of death
Exodus 4:2
Cor. ii. 15, 16. and iii. 6; but to believers a means of life; Gal. iii
Exodus 4:24
Ver. 6, 7. This signified that God, with the utmost ease and dispatch, can change the form of our lot; and that it was by the power of God, not his own, that he wrought his miracles. Ver. 9. This signified that, if the Hebrews should persist in their unbelief, God would bring upon them still more fearful calamities. 3 Ver. 13. Send the Messiah himself, or some one duly qualified to deliver them Ver. 16. As thy spokesman, he shall deliver thy message to Pharaoh and the Hebrews, while thou, in the name of God, shall direct and enjoin him what to say. Ver. 21. Wonders were put in Moses’ hand, in his having power granted him of God to effect them by means of his rod or staff.—As hardness of heart is a sin, Pharaoh hardened his own heart, encouraging himself in his opposition to the command of God; but as it is a punishment of sin, God hardens men by withholding the outward means of softening their heart; Ps. cxlvii. 20. Mat. xi. 21, 23; or the outward grace, which would effectually soften it; Gen. vi. 3; or by giving them up to their own lusts, and to the power of Satan and the world: by the agency of whom they become more and more blinded, stupified, and encouraged in their rebellion against God; and ii. 5, 16. 1 Kings xxii. 22. 1 Pet. ii. 8. Rom. i. 28, 32. Ver. 22. The Israelites were the first and only nation which God adopted into his family as his peculiar people, and heirs of a promised territory on earth. Ver. 24. By some dangerous disease, or in some fearful form, God threatened to take away Moses’ life, for his neglecting to circumcise his younger son. Ver. 25.—Surely I have redeemed thy life, and, as it were, wedded thee a-new to me in the bloody circumcision of my son
REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. IV.—Learn, my soul, never to be discouraged from present duty by former disappointments. God’s promise is sufficient to balance all opposition. Let me accept of miracles recorded in God’s word as the most convincing external proofs of a divine mission; and let me admire the kindness of God in so abundantly confirming the intimations of his will to mankind. Never should I excuse myself from the work to which God calls me, from any wickedness about others, or weakness in myself. God can make mountains his way, and qualify me as is necessary. Let me cheerfully connect the exercise of the gifts or graces which God hath given me in whatever order of precedence or subordination he pleaseth, employing them in the service he commands. But let no intended service of God render me undutiful to my relations: and, on the contrary, never let me fear men when I have a clear call from God to my work, and a promise of his presence to be with me in it.—Meanwhile, let no distance from the public ordinances of God, and the fellowship of saints, cool my zeal for his worship. Never let fond indulgence of my earthly relations make me to neglect any part of God’s institutions, or of my religious duty towards them: If I do so, God will make me to smart for it in his time. Nay, it is better to part with relations for a time than to have them an incommence to us in the service of God. Whatever knowledge, gifts, or grace, God bestows upon me, it becomes me to improve them for the benefit of others, particularly of my fellow-labourers in the Lord; that with one mind, and one mouth, we may glorify God. But let my hopes never be too sanguine on the first promising appearances; for if grace do not really touch the heart, miracles themselves can produce but a temporary faith, a transient flash of religious affection