Chapter 10:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 Genesis Leviticus
Exodus 10
Concise Complete
The plague of locusts threatened, Pharaoh, moved by his
servants, inclines to let the Israelites go. (1-11) The plague of locusts.
(12-20) The plague of thick darkness. (21-29)
Verses 1-11 The
plagues of Egypt show the sinfulness of sin. They warn the children of men not
to strive with their Maker. Pharaoh had pretended to humble himself; but no
account was made of it, for he was not sincere therein. The plague of locusts is
threatened. This should be much worse than any of that kind which had ever been
known. Pharaoh's attendants persuade him to come to terms with Moses. Hereupon
Pharaoh will allow the men to go, falsely pretending that this was all they
desired. He swears that they shall not remove their little ones. Satan does all
he can to hinder those that serve God themselves, from bringing their children
to serve him. He is a sworn enemy to early piety. Whatever would put us from
engaging our children in God's service, we have reason to suspect Satan in it.
Nor should the young forget that the Lord's counsel is, Remember thy Creator in
the days of thy youth; but Satan's counsel is, to keep children in a state of
slavery to sin and to the world. Mark that the great foe of man wishes to retain
him by the ties of affection, as Pharaoh would have taken hostages from the
Israelites for their return, by holding their wives and children in captivity.
Satan is willing to share our duty and our service with the Saviour, because the
Saviour will not accept those terms.
Verses 12-20 God
bids Moses stretch out his hand; locusts came at the call. An army might more
easily have been resisted than this host of insects. Who then is able to stand
before the great God? They covered the face of the earth, and ate up the fruit
of it. Herbs grow for the service of man; yet when God pleases, insects shall
plunder him, and eat the bread out of his mouth. Let our labour be, not for the
habitation and meat thus exposed, but for those which endure to eternal life.
Pharaoh employs Moses and Aaron to pray for him. There are those, who, in
distress, seek the help of other people's prayers, but have no mind to pray for
themselves. They show thereby that they have no true love to God, nor any
delight in communion with him. Pharaoh desires only that this death might be
taken away, not this sin. He wishes to get rid of the plague of locusts, not the
plague of a hard heart, which was more dangerous. An east wind brought the
locusts, a west wind carries them off. Whatever point the wind is in, it is
fulfilling God's word, and turns by his counsel. The wind bloweth where it
listeth, as to us; but not so as it respects God. It was also an argument for
their repentance; for by this it appeared that God is ready to forgive, and
swift to show mercy. If he does this upon the outward tokens of humiliation,
what will he do if we are sincere! Oh that this goodness of God might lead us to
repentance! Pharaoh returned to his resolution again, not to let the people go.
Those who have often baffled their convictions, are justly given up to the lusts
of their hearts.
Verses 21-29 The
plague of darkness brought upon Egypt was a dreadful plague. It was darkness
which might be felt, so thick were the fogs. It astonished and terrified. It
continued three days; six nights in one; so long the most lightsome palaces were
dungeons. Now Pharaoh had time to consider, if he would have improved it.
Spiritual darkness is spiritual bondage; while Satan blinds men's eyes that they
see not, he binds their hands and feet, that they work not for God, nor move
toward heaven. They sit in darkness. It was righteous with God thus to punish.
The blindness of their minds brought upon them this darkness of the air; never
was mind so blinded as Pharaoh's, never was air so darkened as Egypt. Let us
dread the consequences of sin; if three days of darkness were so dreadful, what
will everlasting darkness be? The children of Israel, at the same time, had
light in their dwellings. We must not think we share in common mercies as a
matter of course, and therefore that we owe no thanks to God for them. It shows
the particular favour he bears to his people. Wherever there is an Israelite
indeed, though in this dark world, there is light, there is a child of light.
When God made this difference between the Israelites and the Egyptians, who
would not have preferred the poor cottage of an Israelite to the fine palace of
an Egyptian? There is a real difference between the house of the wicked, which
is under a curse, and the habitation of the just, which is blessed. Pharaoh
renewed the treaty with Moses and Aaron, and consented they should take their
little ones, but would have their cattle left. It is common for sinners to
bargain with God Almighty; thus they try to mock him, but they deceive
themselves. The terms of reconciliation with God are so fixed, that though men
dispute them ever so long, they cannot possibly alter them, or bring them lower.
We must come to the demand of God's will; we cannot expect he should condescend
to the terms our lusts would make. With ourselves and our children, we must
devote all our worldly possessions to the service of God; we know not what use
he will make of any part of what we have. Pharaoh broke off the conference
abruptly, and resolved to treat no more. Had he forgotten how often he had sent
for Moses to ease him of his plagues? and must he now be bid to come no more?
Vain malice! to threaten him with death, who was armed with such power! What
will not hardness of heart, and contempt of God's word and commandments, bring
men to! After this, Moses came no more till he was sent for. When men drive
God's word from them, he justly gives them up to their own delusions.
Chapter 10:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 Genesis Leviticus
Genesis
Exodus
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Revelation
