Bible Commentaries

CONTENTS

The history still proceeds through this Chapter. Pharaoh's heart remaining in the same obduracy, Moses is commissioned by the Lord to inflict the eighth and ninth plagues in the punishment of Egypt; the locusts infest his coast, and darkness of three days continuance beclouds his land. At length after several ineffectual remonstrances on the part of Moses, and entreaties on the part of Pharaoh: Moses is driven from his presence with the threatening of the loss of life, if ever he appeared again before him

Exodus 10:1

We lose much of the beauty of this interesting history, unless we read it spiritually as well as historically; and behold in it the type of our deliverance from sin and bondage by the glorious conquests of our Lord Jesus Christ. What a sweet thought, when the subject is considered in this point of view, is it to a tried soul in the hour of distress, that God's glory in the deliverance of his people is the great object all along intended from the exercises of the faithful. Psalms 107:7; Job 23:10.

Deuteronomy 6:20-22

Romans 2:4-5

Proverbs 30:27

Observe Moses abrupt departure. When an ambassador is withdrawn war is declared. When the Lord's servants are no longer commissioned to plead, destruction is very nigh. 1 Samuel 15:26-27.

2 Kings 5:13

Overtures are here made on the part of Pharaoh, but as unsuccessful as the former. 2 Chronicles 25:16.

Joel 2:11

Psalms 105:34-35

Deuteronomy 28:38-39

Observe, the prayer of this hardened sinner was not to take away his sin, but to remove the punishment of it? This forms the striking difference between true said false repentance. Thus David says, mine iniquities are too heavy for me to bear. Psalms 38:4. Cain saith my punishment is greater than I can bear. Genesis 4:13.

What an awful scripture is that, and how suited to Pharaoh's case. Proverbs 29:1.

Job 10:22

Reader, pause again to remark the sweet tokens of distinguishing grace: but do not overlook the spiritual sense in the historical. How horrible soever natural darkness when capable of being felt may be, yet what is the spiritual darkness of the soul? See a figurative representation of this in Revelation 18:22-23. Reader! I charge you reflect, if three days darkness were so dreadful in Egypt, what must be the state of that everlasting darkness in which those are said to be reserved unto the judgment of the great day, Jude 1:6? But how reviving is that scripture to the faithful: Psalms 97:11?

The treaty is again renewed, but all in vain. Pharaoh's heart still retains the same hardness, and the Lord's terms cannot vary.

How very precious are those expressions considered spiritually. My Brother! the humblest, the least, the most inconsiderable of God's children must be brought out of spiritual Egypt. Not an hoof shall be left behind. Dearest Jesus! how sweet are these assurances to thy doubting fearful little ones: Luke 12:32.

It should be remembered that this conference did not end until after the determination of the tenth and last plague mentioned in the next chapter. Though we have divided the chapters as they at present stand in our Bibles; yet the history itself is not so, as appears by Exodus 11:8. To what a desperate degree of madness and insensibility was this impious prince at length arrived! Oh! how invaluable that promise to God's people, Ezekiel 36:26.

REFLECTIONS

There is not a more important reflection to be kept alive in the human mind, than that both the creation and government of the whole world of intellectual and spiritual beings is for the divine glory. The praise ascribed to Jehovah in heaven, corresponds to what all things teach us here on earth. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power: for thou hast created all things; and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Blessed God! let it be my happiness to record thy praises, and to speak of all the signs and wonders which thou hast wrought in a way of redeeming my soul, and the souls of all thy people, from the house of spiritual bondage, in the accomplishment of which thou hast subdued Egypt and destroyed it, and scattered thine enemies abroad with a mighty hand. Oh! may it be written upon my heart with the pencil of the living God, that it is not by might, nor by power in ourselves, that thou hast brought us out; but by thy right hand, thine arm, and the light of thy countenance. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord, and thy blessing is upon thy people.