fact thnt Phnraoh's heart was hardened is stated five times. 3. Generally, until after the fifth plague, Pharaoh hardens his own heart; then, and only then, save in Ex. vii. 13, God is said to harden Pharaoh's heart. 4. The fact seems to be that at first l'haro.oh sinfully hardened his own heart, and then God permissively allowed the process to go on and confirmed it. 5. It must also be borne in mind that the very same gracious influences will either harden or soften, according to the subject. The same sun melts wo.x and hardens clay. The final responsibility of the hardening lay with Pharaoh. The homiletic applications are obvious; but see a striking poem in Dr. 'l'aylor's 'Moses' (p. 75), by Dr. J. A. Alexander, beginning: "There is a time, we know not when." Another lesson is obvious, as soon as mentioned: We are not justified in looking for results which God has not promised. The deliverance of Israel was promised and certain, but there was no promise that Pharaoh would voluntarily yield. 2. A deed of Divine rebuke (vers. 24-26). This passage is obscure, difficult, yet full of moral significance: must therefore be put in a true light. The incident shapes itself to our minds thus: Moses came on the journey to a caravanserai, burdened with a grievous memory of duty neglected, of the Divine covenant virtually repudiated (Gen. xvii. 9-14). The younger son had not been circumcised. 'l'his neglect was weak ; had been simply to please the Midianitish mother. Hence anxiety, contributing with other causes to fever and threatening death-" Jehovah met him," etc. Zipporah was persuaded to perform the rite. The "stone" would be a flint implement, considered more sacred than iron or bronze. To this day flint is used in New Guinea even for shaving the head. The task was performed unwillingly, hence her invective, twice repeated. Then Jehovah released Moses-" let him go." It was now clear that the wife in these matters was out of sympathy with Moses, and so, on the ground of moral incompatibility, was sent back with her children to the tents of Midian (Ex. xviii. 2), and the grand soul went on alone upon his mission. But the lesson :-The teachers of obedience must be them- selves obedient. The law-giver must himself be marked by obedience to law. There is nothing small or great in questions of fidelity. How could Moses thereafter take a stand for righteousness if not himself above indictment? Some moral defects may be absolutely fatal to moral strength. 3. The meeting of the delivering allies-of Moses and Aaron-not like that of Wellington and Bliicher, after the battle, but before the campaign. The following points may be noted :-Aaron moved at a Divine intima. tion. The two met at Sinai. Moses communicated to his brother the revelation and conference connected with the burning bush. Had not told Jethro. With him no blatant speaking of the deepest mysterios of spiritual life. III. EoYPT. Picture the familiarity of cities, monuments, n.nd scenery, but the unfamiliar faces. No change, yet many changes. 1. The assembling of the elders. Moses, more wise than aforetirne, knows that nothing can be done without the sympathy of the people. Can come into contact with them through the elders. This an argu- ment for the organisation of the people. 2. The prominence of Aaron. .A.t once takes his place. Note Moses' unfamiliarity now with Hebrew and Egyptian, after the lapse of so ma.ny years, as well as natural want of eloquence. 3. The result. Great success! Belief I Sensation at the coming down of the delivering God! Every head bowed! Worship I God had said: They will believe-" they shall hearken to thy voice." Moses : "Behold, they will not beliove me, nor hearken to my voice." BUT THEY DID. Success even beyond our hopes, and the fulfilments of God beyond all our fears.-R.
EXPOSITION. Vere. 24:-26.-The transition is abrupt from most probable explanation of the circumstances the promise of triumph over Pha.raoh to the is, that Zippomh had been delivered of her threat of instant death. But we must bear in second son, Eliezer, some few days before she mind tha.tsome days ma.y have ela.psed between set out on the journey to Egypt. Childbirth, the two, and that the sin which provoked the it must be remembered, in the East does not menace wes probably not committed a.t the mcapac1tate a person lrom exertion for more date of the promise. The narrative of ven;es tha.n a day or two. On the jowuey, the eighth 24:-26 is obscure from its brevity ; but the day from the birth of the child arrived, and hi, 110 THE BOOK OF EXODUS. [ou. 1v. 2-1-26.