permission to do· &S he pleased. But Moses read his duty' differently. Ho had been recei,ed among the Midianites with great kindness,.had been given a home and a wife, and probably enrolled formally as an adopted member of the tribe or nation. Though Reuel, the bead of the tribe at the time of his coming, had ceased to hold that position, h1n-ing probably died, the tribe had a new head, to whom he was bound, if not by all the obligations which had attached him to Reuel, yet by several very definite and tangible bonds. Jethro was his near relative and his tribal chief; he had perhaJll sworn allegiance to him; he had certainly received from him protection, employment, BllBtenance (eh. iii. 1). 'ro have quitted his service without permission, to have leR his flock in the Sinaitic valleys, and proceeded straight to Egypt would have been easy, but would have been unkind, ungrateful, and contrary to the accepted standard of tribal morality at the timo. Moses therefore went back to Midian from Sinai before proceeding to Egypt-made, that is, a considerable journey in the opposite direction to that which he was about to take-in order to obtain Jethro's consent to his going, thus act.ing the part of a faithful servant and a good subject. It would be well if all who believe themselves to have Divine missions, and to be highly gifted, would follow Moses' example, and not make their mission and high gifts an excuse for neglect of ordinary duties and obligations. Moses' example, and the words of One higher than Moses, should teach them that it becomes all men to "fulfil all righteousness" (Matt. iii. 15). If those with high missions neglect even small social duties, they" give an occasion to the adversary to blaspheme." Reticence sometimes a duty. We are not bound in all cases to tell even those in authority over us the reasons, much less all the reasons, which actuate us. Moses wanted Jetbro's permission to quit his adopted tribe, and return to his native country and his people. He gave a reason which was not untrue, but which was far from being his sole, or even his m.a.in. reason. If he had said more, if he had revealed his mission, he would probably have raised a storm of opposition to his departure. He would have been ca.lled a fanatic, a visionary, a madman ; and everything would have been said that was possible to deter him from carrying out his projects. If Moses felt, as he may have felt, that he was too weak to encounter such a storm of opposition, he was wise to be silent and so not arouse it. The reasonable wishes of a S'Ubordi'll,(1,te should be granted cheerfully. Jethro's answer, "Go in peace," may well be taken as a pattern by those in authority. It is kindly, gracious, and ungrudging. The chieftain of a tribe. might naturally have demurred to the withdrawal of a family of subjects, the master to the loss of a valuable servant, the head of a household to parting with near kinsfolk. But Jethro, deeming Moses' plea a sufficient one, is careful not to mar the grace of his concession by a single word of objection, reproach, or querulousness. Nor is " Go in peace" even a bare consent, but a consent embodying a blessing. It is equivalent to" Go, and the Lord go with thee!" Noy, also the absence of inquisitiveness. Jethro does not pester Moses with questions- does not ask, "Is the reason thou hast assigned thy true reason," or "thy sole reason?" or "When wilt thou return?" or, "Why take thy wife and children ? " or, " How wilt thou live in Egypt?" or, ".Art thou not afraid to return thither?" He will not. pain his near co~ection by doubt or distrust, or even undue curiosity. He will not travel beyond the record. His consent has been asked. He gives it freely, fully cheerfully. Vers. 19-23.-0bedience brings a blessing. There must have been something in the hesitation of Moses which caused it not to be wholly displeasing to God. Once he was "angered" (eh. iii. 14), but even then not greatly offended-content to show his anger by inflicting a slight penalty. Now, when Moses still delayed in Midian, how gentle the rebuke that is administered-" Go, return ; " and to the rebuke moreover is appended an encouragement--" all the men are dead who sought thy life." Observe also that no sooner does Moses obey, than his reluctance seems wholly forgiven; the Lord appears afresh to him, and rewards his obedience by fresh revelations. "Israel is my son, even my firstborn." This tender relationship, never before acknowledged, is breathed into the prophet's ear as he enters on the path of obedience. What may ?-e not expect, if he continues in it! Surely blessings upon blessings. Deliverance, tnump~, continued, never-ending protection are assured to them whom God declares to be his OH, IV, 18--21.] THE BOOK OF EXODUS. 105
children. Moses, as their leader, will have the glory of their success. Even the mi(7ht of Pho.re.oh will be.impotent if used against them. Should Pharaoh refuse to liber~te God's "firstbom," he will lose his own.