Exodus 5:1 And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus said the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go… We never heard of an insurrection against a tyrannical government, deliberately planned, for which there was not aggregated some sort of preparation in armies and munitions of war. So we inquire in this instance, What was the number of Israel's troops now on their belligerent way to beseige the capital of Egypt? Only one organized battalion, consisting of these two old men! What were the arms they carried? These were altogether seven weapons in detail. Any one can count them at his pleasure: one shepherd's crook, called a "rod," one tremendous name in the Hebrew language, four promises, and a miracle. These were expected to revolutionize Egypt. I. INADEQUACY OF CONSPICUOUS RESOURCES IS NO ARGUMENT AGAINST SUCCESS, WHEN GOD IN PERSON HAS SENT HIS SERVANTS FORTH TO DO HIS ERRAND. II. THE ALMIGHTY GOD HAS NEVER LET GO HIS HOLD UPON ANY INDIVIDUAL OF THE HUMAN RACE, FOR ALL THE SPITEFUL REBELLION SOME MEN HAVE SHOWN. III. IT IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT INTELLIGENT PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE A SAFE CREED. Undoubtedly Pharaoh is very much in earnest. He does not "know" Jehovah; he knows the deities he has been educated to worship. But if we only wait a little longer, and read the story of the exodus clear through to the crossing of the Red Sea, we shall find out whether it made any difference to Pharaoh what he believed in that moment when he defied Jehovah! IV. SEE HOW CLEARLY THE ALL-WISE GOD WORKS UP TO SIMPLE ISSUES WITH EVERY WILFUL TRANSGRESSOR BEFORE HE CASTS HIM UTTERLY OUT. There is only one question which confronts any man, no matter how many are the forms in which it may be put: Will you, or will you not, obey God? V. THOSE WHO SEEK TO HELP THEIR FELLOW-MEN IN THIS WORLD MUST EXPECT MISJUDGMENT. VI. So we reach our final lesson: THE NATURAL AND FIRST RESULT OF STIRRING UP SIN IS TO AGGRAVATE ITS VIOLENCE. Satan hates to lose his slaves. The heart is desperately wicked, and seems to grow more malignant than before. "It is always darkest just before day." This does not happen so; it is the Divine rule. (C. S. Robinson, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. |
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