The Pulpit Commentary — Exodus — Volume 1 — Section 98

THE NAME ALREADY GIVEN. 'Ihere is nothing to indicate that the nama for which Moses asked was to be mentioned to the Israelites unless they applied for it. The real necessity and value of it belonged to the future rather than the present. The name already given was the name of urgent importance for the present need. It could not for a moment sink into the background even before the name "I am." The one thing needful for Israel, at this time, was to get them into the past, and to bring beforo their minds with all possible freshness and impressiveness, the actions, the purposes and the claims of the God who had dealt with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Of what avail is it to know that there is an eternal immutable God, unless we, in our mutability in our melancholy experiences of time, are brought into helpful connection with him? We may ponder over the name Jehovah without coming to any knowledge of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; but if we only begin by a devout consideration of the narrative concerning these men, then assuredly we shall come at last to a profitable and comforting knowledge of God. There are many good purposes to be served by studying the differences between created and uncreated existence, and by making our- selves acquainted with those subtle speculations concerning the Divine nature which have fascinated and too often tantalised the greatest intellects among men; and yet all these are as nothing unless from our acquaintance with them we advance, still searching and seeking, to a personal knowledge of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is well to have our minds lifted up to lofty conceptions ; it is better still, coming to the Father through Christ, to have our hearts nourished, gladdened and consoled.-Y. V ers. 18-22.- The e-0-ming liberation : God indicates the method of it. In this conversation between God and Moses, recorded in chaps. iii. and iv., we observe that God is occupied with something more than simply answering the questions of Moses. Answering these questions, he then goes on to give his own instructions besides. God's instructions to us, for right service, do not depend on our questions. These must be answered, that stumblingblocks may be taken out of the way; but when they are removed, then we must wait and listen, to find out the exact path according to the Divine will. Thus in the passage before us, God indicates to Moses the really critical part of the great enterprise. The questions of Moses show that it is in Israel, in himself and in his brethren, that Moses looks for the great difficulties. But now God would point out to him that the real struggle is to be in breaking down the proud, despotic resolution of Pharaoh. There was no occasion for Moses to doubt the concurrence of his own people. Nothing very taxing or trying is yet asked from them. " They shall hee.rken to thy voice." But, when they had hearkened, Moses ha.d to go from them to a. man who woul~ not hearken, either to him or to God who ha.d sent him. Observe- !. THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPROACHING PHARAOH. Moses was not left to approach Pharaoh in any way that might seem best to himself. God ordered who the suppliants were to be, and what the exact petition they were to present. 1. The suppliants. They are Moses and the elders of Israel. There is a due, general and dignified repre- sentation of the whole people. Moses is to go, not only as the messenger of God, but undeniably as the spokesman of his enslaved brethren. God assures him that he will win the companionship and support of the older and experienced men among them. It is not to be some hot, rebellious crowd of youths that will seek to break in upon Pharaoh. A representative body, most if not all of them well up in years, and headed by a man of fourscore, are to approach him in a dignified way, respectful to him and respectful to themselves. Those who are the advocates of e. righteous cause must not spoil or dishonour it by a. rash, provocative and boisterous line of conduct. Pharaoh is to be made conscious that he is dealing with those who have every right and compe- tency to speak. If he meets them in an angry, unyielJing spirit, he will be left with no chance of finding excuse for himself in the spirit in which he has been approached. 2. The petition. 'Jhe petitioners are to ask for only a small part of what is really required. The request has been called by some a deceptive one. • It is wonderful how quick the worldly mind is, being .so full of trickery and deceit itself, to find out deceit in God. If this had been purely the request of Israel, then it would have been deceit- ful, but it was emphatically God's request, e.nd it served more purposes than one. ID  80 THE BOOK OF EXODUS. [OR. III. 1--6,