The Pulpit Commentary — Exodus — Volume 1 — Section 119

:kal more consequence. As Martha, when Jesus came to her house, was cumbered with much sening, and in the middle of it all was unwittingly neglecting the one thing needful, so Moses, amid the distracting questions that filled his mind, had no induce- ment to regard the rod with such attention as corresponded to Its real importance. Here is one of the great difficulties in bringing the natural man to discern the things of the Spirit of God. Not only is man, by nature, indifferent to spiritual things but he is absorbingly occupied in the desires, cares, and apprehensions of the natural life. When the disciples of Christ had their minds filled with carnal anticipations of the kingdom of heaven, they heard even such glorious news as that of the resurrection of their Master as if they heard it not. 2, This rod seemed a thing of particularly littl.e ronsequena. Were not a thousand such within easy reach? Might not God be trusted to turn any rod Moses took up just as he had turned this? If it had only been some precious stone, something costly, elaborate, and rare, he would not have forgotten it. 3. The real consequence of the rod appeared dearly in the light of after events. Suppose Moses had left the rod behind him. The likelihood is that he would very quickly have been stopped on the way, even as he was stopped and threatened because of his uncircumcised sou. And if he had been allowed to go on, assuredly he would have been put to shame on coming into the presence of Israel. God was beginning to teach Moses that strict, unflagging attention to details would be necessary when ho again came to this mountain to take his pa.rt in serving God on it. 4. Tlie rod itself tvas a great sign tliat Israel was to be delivered not by human but by Divine operations. lt was probably not only the companion of Moses, but the constant companion. Ever in his hand, it was something by which he could readily turn his thoughts away from his own inability to the all-sufficing power of God. It is our folly, both as concerns our own sal,ation and the salvation of our fellow-men, that we go out witbcmt the rod. "When the Israelites saw Moses coming among them with bis rod, clinging to it, though there seemed no use for it, some of them perhaps said, 11 Throw that rod aside; why cumber yourself with it, and become a laughingstock and a puzzle to beholders." And in like manner how often have those put in trust with the Gospel been exhorted to lay aside those elements which to the natural man appear mere excrescences and deformities. We may well believe that to the first apostles, it was one of the hardest things in the world to keep firm to the essential parts of their message. What the rod was to Moses, going forth with it and working signs, that must the doctrine of the Cross be to all apostles. Christ crucified is to the Jews a stumblingblock and to the Greeks foolishness, but to them which are called, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.-Y. Vers. 1-9.-Weakness and strength for Go<rs service. I. FEAR OF THE Rl!:JECTION OF THE MESSAGE WE BEAB FOB GoD MAXEB ITS DELIVERANCE IMPOSSIBLE. The tidings he was to bear were so wonderful that he believed bis words would be listened to with utter incredulity. Our Gospel is more wonderful still. To speak it, our eye must rest less on the message, and more on God's power to chastise and to bless. We are not critics of, nor apologists for, the Gospel: we are messengers sent before God's face. Our Master is behind us. II. MIRACLES BELONG TO THE INFANCY OF FAITH. The signs are given because of unbelief. Elijah and Elisha work miracles among the tribes which had almost wholly forsaken God; Isaiah, Jeremiah, John, work none. The Apostles alone were empowered to bestow miraculous gifts, and these died out with the men who received them from the Apostles' hands. 'I'o bring again the age of miracles would be retrogression, not advance. III. '!'HE MIRACLES .AS BIGNB. 1. The rod cast upon the ground becomes a serpent; the serpent dealt with in obedience to God's command becomes a rod. They who reject God's guidance will be pursued by his terrors, and if we deal with our foes as God directs us they will help, not harm 11s. 2. The hand put in the bosom (the attitude of determined indifference) becomes leprous; placed again in obedience to God's command, it is made whole. God can make the strength of the disobedient a burden and horror ; and if we rest in him our loathsomeness and weakness will be chang6d into health and strength. 3. The sweet Nile waters changed into blood. 'l'he delight of the land to which unbelief will clln& will become a loathing and a curse.-U. OD, IV, 1-17.] THE BOOK OF EXODUS. 101