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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 8:29

Verse 29 29.And Moses said, Behold I go out from thee. Moses does not reply to this demand, because he knew that the design of God was otherwise; and God had justly left him in ignorance as to what He did not yet wish him to know. There is, then, no reason why Moses should be accused of bad faith when he faithfully fulfilled the charge committed to him; although he was silent as to what he was not ordered to declare, even as to that which God wished to be concealed from the tyrant. But the holy... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 8:31

Verse 31 31.And the Lord did according to the word of Moses. “The word” here may be expounded either of the answer, or the prayer, of Moses. The former pleases me best, viz., that by the result God proved that He ratified what Moses had said, whom He had made the proclaimer of His judgment; but if any one prefer to refer it to his prayer, let him retain his opinion. When he adds that the “heart of the king was hardened at this time also,” he aggravates the crime of his obstinacy, since there... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:20-32

The plague of flies. This torment is thought by many to have embraced winged pests of all kinds. In this case, it would include the mosquito, cattle-fly, beetles, dog-flies, and numbers of others. But see the exposition. We have to note regarding it— I. PHARAOH FINDS AS BEFORE THAT THERE IS NO ESCAPING FROM THE HANDS OF GOD . He is met at the brink of the river, and confronted with the old alternative—"Let my people go else," etc. ( Exodus 8:20 , Exodus... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:20-32

The fourth plague-the flies: the immunities of Goshen. The mere change from one chastising agent to another is not a matter to be dwelt on in considering this plague. We note that God makes the change from gnats to flies, and that Pharaoh, who was obdurate before the gnats, is so far affected before the flies as to make an offer of submission; but it is obviously impossible for us to see why the flies should be more efficacious than the gnats. The important thing is, not the gradation... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:20-32

The Fourth Plague. I. THE SUPERSTITION OF EGYPT IS MADE ITS SCOURGE . 1 . The land was covered with the sacred beetle. It swarmed upon the ground and in their homes. No movement was possible without crushing or treading under foot the insect they adored. When God overthrows idolatries the very reverence with which the idols have been regarded deepens the chastisement. When the covetous sink under the loss of wealth, they themselves have given its weight to the blow... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:28

Only ye shall not go very far away . Here for the first time Pharaoh shows his real objection to letting the Israelites go—he is afraid that they will escape him. So he suggests the compromise, that they shall just enter the wilderness on his eastern border, remaining near the frontier, and therefore within his reach. Moses seems to have made no objection to this proviso. As Kalisch says, "he committal himself entirely to the guidance and direction of God." The three days' journey which he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:29

To-morrow . As Pharaoh had fixed the "morrow" for the departure of the second plague ( Exodus 8:10 ), so Moses now announces a similar date for the departure of the fourth. He adds a remonstrance against any further deceit or tergiversation, which Pharaoh must have felt to be well deserved. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:29

The duty of God's servants to rebuke the great of the earth. "Let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more." Deceit is despicable in the meanest of men. How much more in a king! Subterfuge, tricks, lies, are said to be the refuge of the weak, the only resource whereby they can meet and defend themselves against the violence and oppressiveness of the strong. What need has a king of them? A king drags his honour in the dust when he forfeits his word, and does more to lower the dignity of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 8:31

There remained not one . The hand of God was shewn in the removal no less than in the infliction of the plagues. The complete disappearance was as abnormal as the sudden coming. read more

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