Exodus 4:7-9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 4:1-9

I. Moses objects that in all probability the people would not hearken to his voice (Exod. 4:1), that is, they would not take his bare word, unless he showed them some sign, which he had not been yet instructed to do. This objection cannot be justified, because it contradicts what God had said (Exod. 3:18), They shall hearken to thy voice. If God says, They will, does it become Moses to say, They will not? Surely he means, ?Perhaps they will not at first, or some of them will not.? If there... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 4:7

And he said, put thine hand into thy bosom again ,.... With the leprosy on it: and he put his hand into his bosom again, and plucked it out of his bosom ; quickly after he had put it in: and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh ; it was cured of the leprosy, and recovered its colour, and was as sound as before, and as any other part of his body. This was a very astonishing miracle, that he should be at once smote with a leprosy; that this should be only in his hand, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 4:8

And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee ,.... Will not give credit to the commission he had from God, but question the truth of it: neither hearken to the voice of the first sign ; which miracle wrought, spoke plain enough that he that wrought it, or for whose sake it was wrought, must be one come from God, or such a miracle would never be wrought by him or for him; but should any of the Israelites be still incredulous, it is supposed: that they will believe the voice... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 4:9

And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs ,.... Performed before their eyes; for these were done over again when Moses came into Egypt to the Israelites, and yet some of them might still remain unbelievers to his commission, and so to the voice of these signs, which loudly called for their faith: neither hearken unto thy voice ; affirming he came from God, and was sent to be the deliverer of them: that thou shalt take of the water of the river ; of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 4:8

If they will not believe - the voice of the first sign, etc. - Probably intimating that some would be more difficult to be persuaded than others: some would yield to the evidence of the first miracle; others would hesitate till they had seen the second; and others would not believe till they had seen the water of the Nile turned into blood, when poured upon the dry land; Exodus 4:9 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 4:8

Verse 8 8.And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee. In these words God took away from Moses every handle for doubt; as much as to say, that he was sufficiently provided and strengthened to overcome the stubbornness of the people; and yet, heaping up the measure to overflowing, he afterwards added a third sign, from whence Moses might attain full confidence, and that no further hinderance should oppose his pious desires. This, too, is a remarkable evidence of the kindness of God,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-9

The third difficulty: how is Moses to deal with an incredulous Israel? With the mention of this third difficulty, we begin to see how much of doubt, self-distrust, and reluctance disturbed the mind of Moses. And no wonder. This revelation and commandment of God had come very suddenly upon him; and though strong assurances and sufficient information were readily given, yet he could not all at once receive the comforts which flowed from them. Had he attended to what God said by way of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-9

Weakness and strength for God's service. I. FEAR OF THE REJECTION OF THE MESSAGE WE BEAR FOR GOD MAKES ITS DELIVERANCE IMPOSSIBLE . The tidings he was to bear were so wonderful that he believed his words would be listened to with utter incredulity. Our Gospel is more wonderful still. To speak it, our eye must rest less on the message, and more on God's power to chastise and to bless. We are not critics of, nor apologists for, the Gospel: we are messengers... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-10

A trilogy of signs. In reply to his complaint that the people would not believe him, nor hearken to his voice, God gave Moses three signs. These are to be viewed— I. AS ATTESTATIONS OF HIS DIVINE COMMISSION ( Exodus 4:5 , Exodus 4:8 ). Divine power is supernaturally exercised in proof of Moses' title to speak with Divine authority. This is a clear case of the use of miracles as credentials of a mission, and confutes those who reason that this view of miracles has no... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:1-17

The reluctance of Moses to undertake the part of leader, indicated by his first reply at his first calling, "Who am I that I should go?" etc. ( Exodus 3:11 ), was not yet overcome. God had promised that he would succeed; but he did not see how he could succeed, either with the people or with Pharaoh. It was not enough for him that God had declared, "They (the people) shall hearken unto thy voice" ( Exodus 3:18 ); he does not, cannot believe this, and replies: "Behold, they will not... read more

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