exodus-4:1-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:5

That they may believe . The sign was to convince the Israelites, in the first instance, and cause them to accept the mission of Moses (see Exodus 4:30 , Exodus 4:31 ). It was afterwards to be exhibited before Pharaoh ( Exodus 4:21 ), to try him and prove him, but not to convince him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:6

Furthermore . The first sign is followed by a second, equally simple and easy of performance, and perhaps, in the eyes of the Israelites, even more marvellous. Leprosy in a developed form was regarded as absolutely incurable. (Celsus, 'De Re Medica,' 5.7-8.) Its instantaneous production and removal were contrary to all experience, and in themselves thoroughly astonishing. Further, while the first miracle was simply a sign of supernatural power—a credential, the second was a warning and a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:6-8

The intent of the second sign. If the first sign was powerful to convince, the second was still more powerful ( Exodus 4:8 ). It showed Moses able to produce, and cure, in a moment of time, the most virulent malady to which human nature was liable. The Egyptians greatly feared leprosy, and declared in their own accounts of the Exodus that they drove the Israelites out of their country because they were afflicted with that loathsome disease. The Israelites regarded it as the worst... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:8

The voice of the first sign . Some understand "the voice of Moses as he gave them the first sign;" but it is better to regard the sign itself as speaking to them. According to the sacred writers everything that can teach us anything—day, night, the heavens, the firmament, the beasts, the fowls of the air, the fishes, nay, the very stones—have a voice. They teach us, speak to us, declare to us, cry out aloud, lift up their voice, shout, sing, proclaim God's will, whether man will hear or... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:9

If they will not believe also . " Even " would be a better translation than "also." The river is of course "the Nile." See the comment on Exodus 2:3 . Of the three signs given, the first would probably convince all those who were religious, well-disposed, and fair-minded; the second, acting upon their fears, would move all but the desperately wicked, who despised Jehovah and put their trust in the gods of the Egyptians ( Joshua 24:14 ; Ezekiel 20:7 , Ezekiel 20:8 ; Ezekiel 23:3 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:9

The intent of the third sign. Blood poured on the ground could symbolise nothing but war and destruction. That water should be turned into it implied that peace should be changed into war, prosperity into ruin, quiet and tranquillity into a horrible carnage. The special reference would be to the destruction of Pharaoh's host in the Red Sea; but the other ruinous plagues, as especially the fifth, the seventh, and the tenth, would be glanced at also. That the water became blood on touching... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:10

And Moses said, O my Lord . The phrase used by Moses is full of force. It is "vox dolentis et supplicantis" (Noldius). Joseph's brethren use it to the steward of Joseph's house, when they expect to be fallen upon and taken for bondsmen ( Genesis 43:20 ); Judah used it ( Genesis 44:18 ) when pleading with Joseph for Benjamin; Aaron when pleading for Miriam ( Numbers 13:11 ); Joshua when expostulating with God about Ai ( Joshua 7:8 ). There is a deprecatory idea in it, as well as a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:10

Slowness of speech a drawback on ministerial fitness, but not a disqualification. It is remarkable that both Moses, the great prophet of the First Covenant, and St. Paul, the "chosen vessel" for the publication of the Second Covenant, were ineffective as speakers; not perhaps both "in presence base," but certainly both "in speech contemptible" ( 2 Corinthians 10:1 , 2 Corinthians 10:10 ). Speakers and preachers should lay the lesson to heart, and learn not to be overproud of the gift... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:10-12

The fourth difficulty: Moses alleges defect of utterance. The third time-is often represented in Scripture as the final and decisive time ( 1 Samuel 3:8 ; Matthew 26:44 , Matthew 26:45 , Matthew 26:75 ; John 21:17 ; 2 Corinthians 12:8 ). But Moses is not yet either satisfied or even silenced. As fast as one difficulty is swept away, his fearful and fertile mind has another ready to take its place. He began with himself, in stating his objections and difficulties, pleading then... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:10-17

Slow of speech. The longer Moses pondered the mission on which he was sent, the more he shrank from it. The difficulty which now oppressed him was his want of eloquence. It seemed to him that in this respect he was the least qualified person God could have chosen. There was needed for such a work a man of persuasive tongue, of fluent, forcible, and impressive speech; and his own utterance was hesitating and heavy. Overwhelmed with the sense of unfitness, he again appeals to God, and asks... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:6-8

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:10-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 4:10-17

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