II. OnDERB FROM THE KING, "The very same day I " Such is the restlessness of the tyrnnt-spirit. The orders were addressed to the "drivers," Egyptians, and to the "clerks" of'ibe works, Hebrews. Note the large employment of" clerks," as evidenced by the monuments. '!'be appointment of these "clerks" would contribute much to the organisation of Israel, and so prepare for the Exodus. As to the orders-explain them. Bricks a government monopoly; witness the royal mark on many to this day. So.me number of bricks as before, but people to gather in the corn-fields the straw (in harvest only the ear cut off) previously allowed by the government, chop it, and mix it with the clo.y, Terrible cruelty of these orders-in-council in such a climate. III. OBEDIENCE TO THE KING, For the sake of vividly and pictorially bringing up tbA condition of the people, note the time of straw-collecting : ~ime of harvest-end of April; then a hot pestilential sand-wind often blows over the land of Egypt for fifty days; the effects on health, tone, skin, eyes (in the land of ophthalmia), of so working in blazing sun, in clouds of dust, in hopeless slavery. They return to the horrid brickfields; fail; fierce punishments, as to this day in the same land. IV. EXPOSTULATION WITH THE KING, The "clerks" of the works constitute a depu- tation to the king, perhaps by virtue of a "right of petition." The king accuses them of being" idle." To understand this, think of the gigantic public works, the terrific labour, the perishing of thousands, the likelihood that such a taunt wonld spring to tyrannical lips. The king refuses, perhaps threatens the lives of the "clerks." See ver. 21-" to put a sword," etc. Here again, that which seemed most against the people made for them, The treatment of the "clerks" brought them into sympathy with their enslaved brethren. Israel closed its ranks. The fellowship of suffering prepared for the companionship of pilgrimage. There was, too, a present blessing. Spiritual feelings were quickened, heaven came nearer, the pitying love of God became more precious. One can imagine such scenes as those in which the slaves of the Southern States, through horrid swamps and over mighty rivers, in the dead of night " stole away to Jesus." " In that hour, when night is c.almest, Sing they from some Se.cred Psalmist, In a voice so sweet and clear That I cannot choose but hear. " And the voice of their devotion Fills my soul with strange emotion; For its tones by turns are glad, Sweetly solemn, wildly sad." [ Adapted from LONGFELLOW.]
V. CONSEQUENCES TO THE AMDASSADORS OF THE KING OF KINGS. Mos!lill and .Aaron, somewhere near the palace, were waiting to know the result of the audience of the " clerks" with the king. The " clerks," irritated and angry, turned on the God-given leaders : ver. 21. [Note in the He b. the expression " to stink in the eyes," and the fact that pungent odours do affect the eyes.] A dreadful trouble to Moses and Aaron! In conclusion, observe-!. The cruelty that-is ever incident to sin. "Man's inhumanity to man" a universal fact. "The dark places of the earth are full," etc. ; so places alight with modem civilisation. The incidents of any gin-palace I There is, too, a cruelty of word and manner. Soul-wounds deeper than sword-gashes. No cure save under the sanctifying power of the Cross of self-abnegating love. 2. The pain that attends all emancipations. The first efforts of Moses and Aaron led to nothing but· disaster. See vi. 9. So with the agony of emancipation in America. So always and everywhere. So with reforms within the Church. So with crises of soul-history. 3. The discourage- ment that may fall to leaders. 4. The encouragement we all have. Note here-{1) The appointment of the "clerks;" (2) The personal danger into which they came; (3) The uniting all Israel into a fellowship of grief that they might dare the desert. All this camo out of the oppression; but tended to salvation. Our darkest experiences may n11 our l,est friends. 5. Through what sorrow all come to the final emancipation.-R. Ohap. V.-The people of Jehovah detained and oppressed by the representative of the J20 THE BOOK OF EXODUS,