Introduction
INTRODUCTORY.
( 1.) We now reach another stage of the history, clearly indicated by the emphatic words, “Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh.” There is a pause in the action before the dreadful blows of Jehovah begin to fall. The preparatory stage of peaceful pleading and intercession has passed, and from the opening of this chapter to the tenth verse of the following we have a rallying and review of the forces, a repetition of the great points at issue, before the mortal struggle begins. This habit ofreview and fresh departure at each natural division of his work is an often noted characteristic of our author’s style.
( 2.) God reveals himself as Jehovah, that is, as I AM; but this is not to be understood, as the “document” critics imagine, as another narrative of the events of chaps. 3 and 4. Their lack of insight here is astonishing. The stage of advancement from the first to the second revelation is marked with perfect clearness. At the burning bramble God revealed himself first as Elohim, (Exodus 3:6,) and afterwards slowly and impressively uncovered the MEMORIAL NAME; but now he says at once to Moses, “ I am Jehovah . ” After that first revelation the people believed, bowed in reverence, and accepted the divinely offered deliverance; but now “they hearkened not unto Moses, for anguish of spirit and for cruel bondage . ” Then Moses plead that Israel would not hear, but now that they had not heard . Then it was predicted of Pharaoh, “He will let you go,” or, rather, “send you away,” (Exodus 3:20;) but now, in the immediate prospect of these tremendous judgments, it is prophesied, “with a strong hand shall he… drive them out of his land . ” Then Moses was instructed to say humbly, and even reverentially, Let us go, we beseech thee; but now the stern, sharp message is to be, “Let my people go . ” Thus have events greatly ripened between the first and second announcements of the Memorial Name.
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