The Pulpit Commentary — Exodus — Volume 1 — Section 48

"fell short in nothing of the teachings of Ch.istianity" (see Brugsch, • History of Egypt, vol. i. p. 20). '!'his is, no doubt, an over-statement ; but it is the fact, that correct and elevated ideas on the subject of morality were entertained by the Egyptian sages, and inculC3ted on the young by Egyptian teachers. To "give bread to the hungry, d1ink t.o the thirsty, to clothe the naked, set the wanderer in his path, resist the oppressor, and put a stop to violence," were regarded as the first elements of duty, the very Alphabet of morality, which the most ignorant was expected to know and practise. To the more advanced such counsels as the following were given:-" If thou art become great after thou hast been humble, and if thou hast amassed riches after poverty, and art oome to be the first man of thy city; if thou a.rt known for thy wealth, and hast become a great lord: let not thy heart grow proud because of thy riches; for it is God who has given them to thee." "Despise not another who is as thou wa.st; be towards him as towards thine equal." " Happiness makes one content with any abode; but a small disgrace darkens the life of a great man." " Good words shine more than the emerald which the hand of the slave finda among a. heap of pebbles." "The wise man is satisfied with what he knows ; content dwells in bis heart, and his lips speak words that a.re good." "'fhe son who accepts the words of his father will grow old in consequence ; for obedience is of Gou. disobedience is hateful to God." "Let thy heart wash away the impurity of thy mouth: fulfil the word of thy master." Moses in the household of e. virtuous Egyptian princess, the wife probably of a respected official, would be guarded from corrupting sights e.nd sounds, would hear none but" good words," would learn courtesy, good manners, politeness, affability, gentlemanly ease ; while at the same time he would have inculcated upon him the duties of activity, diligence, truthfulness, benevolence, consideration for others, temperance, purity, courage. The peculiar circwnstances of his position, as a foreigner, a foundling, a mere adopted child, would lay him open to many a reproach and innuendo on the part of those who were jealous of his good-fortune. In this way his path would be beset with difficulties, which would furnish the necessary discipline that might otherwise have been lacking to one brought up by a tender and indulgent mistress who assumed towards him the attitude of a mother. He would learn the virtues of reticence and self-controL As he grew to manhood, :i.ctive duties would no doubt be assigned to him-he would have to exercise a certain amount of authority in the household, to undertake the management of this or tha.t department, and thus acquire experience in the direction and government of men. Altogether, it is easy to see that the position wherein by God's providence he wu placed would furnish an excellent training for the part which he was to be called upon to play, would naturally tend to make him at once outwardly gentle and inwardly firm and self-reliant ; at once. bold to rebuke kings and patient to govern a stiff-necked and refractory people. To the moral training thus furnished was added a mental training, on which we have already enlarged. Book-learning is of little use towards the management of men. But when it is superadded to a good practical education. which has already given active ha.bits and :facility in dealing with all the various circumstances of life, it adds a grace and dignity to its possessor which are far from contemptible. Moses, without his Egyptian "learning," might have led his people o:ut of Egyp~ and ~n- ducted them safely to Palestine; but he would have lost his most glonous titles and offices ; he would scarcely have been the great legislator that he was ; he could certainly not have been the great historian, or the great poet. Moses, to obtain the knowledge and the powers that he shows in his writings, must have been during his youth a most diligent student. In this respect he is a pattern to all the yot.ug, and most especially to those high-placed youths who a.re too apt to think that their wealth and rank put them above the necessity of hard work and diligent applica.ticc. The truth is, that such a position lays its holdP-r under a special obligation to diligence. "Noblesse oblige." Those who are highly placed, and will have many eyes on them, should endeavour to ma.kc their acquirements such as will bear close scrutiny and observation. "A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid" (Matt. v. 14). C/IJ, JI, 1-11.j THE BOOK OF EXODUS. 29