Exodus 4:22-23 - Homilies By J. Orr

Israel a type of sonship.

Consider—

1 . The condescension of God in the establishing of this relationship. A nation of slaves; in the eyes of the Egyptians little better than a nation of lepers; yet Jehovah says of them, "Israel is my son, my firstborn." "Behold what manner of love," etc. ( 1 John 3:1 ).

2 . The privileges implied in it. On this cf. Deuteronomy 1:31-34 ; Deuteronomy 8:2-6 ; Deuteronomy 32:9-15 . Reflect how Israel was led, fed, guided, trained, chastened, delivered from enemies, and conducted to a bountiful inheritance. These privileges have all their counterparts in the experience of the "children of God by faith in Christ Jesus'" ( Galatians 3:26 ).

3 . The responsibilities it imposed on others. Because Israel was God's son, his firstborn, Pharaoh was to refrain from oppressing his son, and if he did not he would be smitten in his own firstborn.