Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 14:5

Verse 5 5.And it was told the king. Moses does not simply mean, that the king then first heard of the flight of the people, which had been anything but secret; but that the circumstances were reported to him, which stirred him up to make an attack upon them. When, then, he hears that the people fled in haste, he thinks that they may be retained by the slightest obstacle. Nor is he alone influenced by this foolish thought, but all his courtiers blame their own inertness for letting the people... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 14:6

Verse 6 6.And he made ready his chariot. Moses briefly describes the warlike preparation of Pharaoh, not only to magnify the greatness of God’s power in delivering the people, but also to show with what violent and obstinate audacity the wicked go forwards, when they give way to their depraved and criminal lusts. Just now the Egyptians were almost frightened to death, and cried out that all was over with them; scarcely has a day passed, when they collect a powerful army as if their forces were... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 14:8

Verse 8 8.And the children of Israel went out. (153) Moses indirectly reproves their too great security, which had freed them altogether from care and fear; and whence even the desire of calling on God had grown cold in them, as security always produces drowsiness and an idle spirit. Hence it came to pass, that this great danger, which they had not expected. produced the greater fear. But, on the other hand, Moses exalts God’s grace, because he so opportunely and so critically came to the help... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 14:1-5

The command to encamp by the sea. These verses introduce the narrative of what the Lord "did in the Red Sea" ( Numbers 21:14 ), when his people "passed through … as by dry land; which the Egyptians, assaying to do , were drowned" ( Hebrews 11:29 ). This crossing of the Red Sea was no after-thought. God had it in view when he turned aside the path of the children of Israel from the direct route, and ordered them to encamp before Pi-hahiroth, near the northern end of the gulf. His... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 14:1-9

Trial and Judgment. I. GOD LEADS INTO TRIAL BUT ASSURES Or VICTORY . 1 . The command to turn and. shut themselves in between the wilderness and the sea. God leads us where troubles will assail us. Jesus was driven of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 . The circumstances of God's people are taken advantage of by their foes. Pharaoh imagined his time had now come. Earthly foes may strike at such a time; Satan surely will 3 . The result... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 14:1-12

Israel stricken with terror by reason of a deliverance not yet completed. It is plain that the Israelites, going out of Egypt. in such circumstances as they did, must have gone out in a state of great exhilaration, almost beside themselves with joy at such a complete reversal of all their past experiences at the hands of Pharaoh. Moreover we are assured in Exodus 14:8 that they went out with a high hand. The power of God for the deliverance of Israel was manifested in great fulness. What... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 14:4

I will be honoured. See the comment on Exodus 9:16 . That the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord . Compare above, Exodus 7:1-25 .§ read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 14:5

It was told the King of Egypt that the people fled . Pharaoh, when he let the Israelites go, must have felt tolerably certain that they would not voluntarily return. Formally, however, he had only consented to their going a three days' journey into the wilderness ( Exodus 12:31 ). When, being at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness, they did not enter it, but marched southward to Pi-hahiroth, the Egyptians might naturally report that instead of sacrificing, they were flying—hasting... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 14:5

The good resolutions of the worldly are short-lived. By a long series of judgments, culminating in the destruction of all the first-born both of man and beast throughout his whole territory, Pharaoh had been brought down from his original hardness and pride, had acknowledged God's hand, and allowed the Israelites to take their departure. He had even besought them to ask that God would bestow upon him his blessing ( Exodus 12:32 ). But a short time sufficed to change all his good... read more

Grupo de Marcas