The Pulpit Commentary — Exodus — Volume 1 — Section 114

his dependence on A£1ron, H limits a man, when he cannot act without continually calling in another to his assistance. (4) H divided Moses' authority, and gave Aaron ~n undue influence with tho people (cf. Ex. xxxii.). (5) It was a temptation to Aaron himsolf to assume, or at least aspire to, greater authority than of right belonged to him (cf. Num. xii.). Learn-I. 'l'hat it is not always good for us to have our wishes grantc<l. 2. 'fhat God sometimes punishes by granting us our wishes (cf. Hos. xiii. 11). a. 'l'hat God's way is ever the best.-J, 0. Ver. 11.-God the Giver of our faculties. See-1. His power in the creation of tnem. "Who hath made," etc. Wisdom also. Eyes, ears, organs of speech-miracles of contrivance. 2. His goodness in the bestowal of them. A reason for thankfulneus. 3. His providence in the deprivation of them. "Who maketh the dumb, or deaf," etc. A reason for not murmuring. 4. His perfection as mirrored in their functions. " He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?'" (Ps. xciv. 9). An answer to the objection against positive revelation. He that formed the mouth, shall he not speak? And he that formed the ear, can he not address to -it his own message? 5. Lesson-His ability to aid us in using them for his glory (ver. 12).-J. 0. Ver. 13.-.A servant's difficulties. Observe- I. WHAT THEY WERE. Moses' difficulties resolved themselves into three. 1. The power of Pharaoh. "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?"' (eh. iii. 10). We may be staggered by the thought of the powers that are arrayed against us. 2. The anticipated unbelief of the people (ver. 1). The preacher has to encounter hard and unbelieving hearts, and this may enfeeble and dishearten him. 3. His lack of gifts (ver. 10). Humble natures are easily discouraged by the sense of their own short- comings-by the consciousness of ignorance, defective education, lack of gifts of speech, etc. II. How THEY WERE MET. 1. God armed Moses with powers that made him more than a match for foe mighty king of Egypt. 2. He gave hlm the means of overcoming the unbelief of the people. 3. He promised to endow him with po;iver of speech ; and, when that was rejected, supplied his defect by giving him a coadjutor. From which 1earn :-1.' That while it is right to state our difficulties to God-to pour out all our hearts before him-it is wrong to make them an excuse for shrinking from duty. 2. That God, if relied on, will give us all sufficiency.-J. 0. Ver. 17.-The rod. The rod a fit emblem of" the word of the truth of the Gospel." 1. The rod was something definite. "This rod." Not any rod, but the one which God gives us. 2. 'l'he rod was perhaps the instrument of a despised calli.ng. So is the preaching of the Cross "foolishness" (1 Cor. i. 21-25). 3. The rod was to be grasped and used: "in thine hand." Study, preach, expound, apply. 4. By the rod, Moses was to do signs: "wherewith thou shalt do signs." Spiritual miracles wrought by the preaching of the word. 5. 'l'he rod was efficient only as accompanied by Divine power (1 Cor. ii. 4).-J. 0. Vers. 1-9.-Tlie third difficulty: how is Moses to deal with an incredulous Israel, With the mention of this third difficulty, we begin to see how much of doubt, self- distrust, and reluctance· disturbed the mind of Moses. And no· wonder. This revelation and commandment of God had come very suddenly upon him; and though strong assurances and sufficient information were readily given, yet he could not all at once receive the comforts which flowed from them. Had he attended to what God said b:, way of ren.;,oving the difficulties already expressed he would never have given utterance to this third one. His perseverance in suggesting obstacles almost ·makes us feel that he hoped somehow to get out of the mission. But God meets him at every point. There is no weak place in the Divine plans. Even a matter which seems so uncertain as tho reception of Moses by Israel is confidently taken altogether out of the region of uncertainties. God had already said (eh. iii. 18), "They shall hearken to thy voice," e.nd if Moses had only waited, he would have been made to see how that hearkening would be brought about. The suggestion wf this difficulty, therefore, showed-how mucb  98 THE BOOK OF EXODUS. [OII, IV. 1-9,