The Pulpit Commentary — Exodus — Volume 1 — Section 82

now naked by Moses under what name he should speak of him to the Israelites, and was bidden to speak of him as JHVH. What, then, was the full meaning of JHVH, and why wns it preferred to the other names? Probably as a security against poly- theism. When words expressive of such attributes as exaltation, strength, knowledge, goodness, beautifulness, even creative energy, are made into names of God, there is a temptation at once to extend them from the one to the many, from the possessor of the attribute in the highest degree to others who possess it, or are supposed to possess it, in e. high degree. 'l'hus all such words come to be used in the plural, and the way is paved for polytheism. But if God is called "the Existent," this danger dii!!:\ppears ; for there are but two kinds or degrees of existence, viz., self-existence, and created, dependent existence. "The Existent" must mean "the Self-Existent," who must necessarily be One. Hence JHVH never had a plural. The only way by which an Israelite could become a polytheist was by deserting Jehovah altogether and turning to Elohim. In vindicating to himself the name Jehovah," He who exists," or" He who alone exists," God declared himself to be-1, eternal; 2, uncaused; 3, unconditioned; 4, independent; 5, self-sufficient. He placed a gulf, profound-not to be bridged- between himself and every other being. He indicated that all other gods were unrealities-breath, vapour, shadows of shades; that he alone was real, stable, to be trusted; and that in him his worshippers might have "quietness and assurance for ever." Ver. 16.-Tlie Divine injunction to gather the elders. God here added another injunction to those which he. had previously given (ver. 10), as to the modus operandi which Moses was to adopt. He was to go to the children of Israel, but not i=ediately or as the first step. Before making any appeal to them he was, in the first instance, to "gather the elders of Israel together." In this is involved a principle of very general application. When great designs are on hand, consultation should first be with the few, With the few matters can be calmly and quietly discussed, without passion or prejudice ; questions can be asked, explanations given. And the few will have influence with the many. This was the whole idea of ancient government, which was by a king, a council, and an assembly of the people, which last was expected to ratify the council's decision. Direct appeal to the masses is, as much as possible, to be avoided. The masses are always, comparatively speaking, ignorant, stolid, unim- pressible. Great ideas take root and grow by being first co=unicated in their fulness to a." little flock," who spread them among their companions and acquaintance, until at length they prevail generally. So our Lord called first the Twelve, and then the Seventy, and made known his doctrine to them, leaving it to them to form the Church after his ascension. Vers. 17, 18.-Tlie promises to the elders, and to Moses. The elders were promised two things: (1) that they should be brought forth out of the affliction of Egypt, a.nd (2) that they should be established in a good land, " a land flowing with.. milk and honey." Ordinary men-men who are, spiritually speaking, backward and undeveloped-require to be stirred to action by comparatively low motives. Escape from present suffering and unpleasantness, enjoyment of happiness in the future- these are practically the two chief moving powers of human action. Neither of them is a wrong motive; and Moses ;was instructed to appeal to each by a special promise. So may the preacher rightly do with his congregation, the minister with his flock, the father with his children. As long as men are what they are, appeals to the lower motives cannot be dispensed with at first. Care must, however, be taken that before each one, as he becomes fit for it, higher motives are set-such as duty, the love of goodness for goodness' sake, and-last, not least-the highest motive of all, the love of God, our Creator, Sustainer, Sanctifier, "in whom we live, and move, and have our being." Moses was promised at this point, to stimulate him to action, i=ediate. success. He had doubted whe£her his people would listen to him, or regard him as anything but a dreamer. He is told, " they shall hearken unto thy voice." A great comfort to every one who feels the.t he has a. mission is the acceptance of it by others. Each man, more or less, misdoubm himself, questions his own ability, sincerity, singleness of heart. The seal of an apostleship is the success of the apostolic efforts (1 Cor. i::i:. 2).  THE BOOK OF EXODUS. CH, III, 10-22.