Exod. xi. 7. Know, hoiv that the Lord doth put a difference
between the Egyptians and Israel.
b b2
A PRINCIPAL intent of God in the various dis- pensations of his providence is, to make himself known unto the world. By some of his works he makes known his natural perfections of wisdom and power ; by others, his moral perfections of goodness and truth. In his dealings with Pharaoh in particular, we are expressly told that he had this end in viewa. The exercise of his sovereignty was in that instance in- tended to be displayedb; as also in the whole of " the difference which he put between the Israelites and the Egyptians : " but if we consider these two nations as types or representatives of the friends and enemies of God, we shall be rather led to contemplate the equity of all his dispensations towards them. It is in this light that we propose to dwell upon the words before us.
" Know ye then that the Lord doth put a difference between his own people and others" —
I. He did so from the beginning —
[Go back to the antediluvian world0 Consult the
patriarchal aged Look at the history before use
Search the records of all succeeding agesf — The annals
of the whole world conspire to establish this important truth.]
II. He does so at this present hour —
[If we have been attentive observers of what passes around us, or within our own hearts, we shall not need to be told that God does at this time, no less than in former ages, distinguish his people from others. He does so in the dispensations6
a Exod. x. 1, 2. b Rom. ix. 1/ — 20.
c How different his conduct towards the two first men that were horn into the world! Gen. iv. 3 — 5. What singular honour did he confer on Enoch ! Heh. xi. 5. What distinguished mercy did he vouchsafe to Noah ! Gen. vi. 9 — 13.
d How different his regards to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, from any that he shewed to those amongst whom they dwelt !
e From the latter plagues, the flies, the murrain, the darkness, and the slaughter of the first-born, the Israelites were exempt. The cloud also was dark to one, but light to the other : and the sea was both a passage and a grave.
f It is impossible to read the history of David or Elijah in the Old Testament, or of the Apostles in the New, and not see this written as with a sunbeam.
s He not unfrequently interposes to screen them from calamities, (Job v. 19 — 24.) and always to sanctify the calamities he sends. Rom. viii. 28. His very presence with them in trouble is equivalent