The Pulpit Commentary — Exodus — Volume 1 — Section 164

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 11, vi. 13.-The new commission. And Moses spoke so, etc.: Exod. vi. 9. I. THE AUDACITY OF FAITH. Describe the treatment of Moses and Aaron. They acted under Divine direction, did their very best, but just because everything did not go well instantly, and that through the frowardness and waywardness of others, the people turned upon them, and upbraided them as accessories to their slavery. [See Matt. Henry for some valuable practical notes on this and other parts of this passage from eh. v. 22-vi. 13.] Moses felt this keenly, and in a moral sense retreated upon his base--that is, upon God. Compare Hezekiah and the letter. .Alone with God, Moses complained. Moses is very bold-tells God to his face that he has not delivered Israel at all; that he has brought evil upon the nation, already oppressed to the border of despair ; and challenges the Eternal as to his own co=ission. All this is high tragedy in the realms of spiritual life, and may well demand consideration. Consider-!. The audacity of Moses. See chap. v. 22, 23. Is this the language of enquiry or entreaty? Not at all. Of impetuosity, of remonstrance; it borders on the irreverent; the tone is angry, and nearly rebellious. [Note--Such a speech as this would never have been put into the mouth of Moses by any later writer-sure mark this, that we have the history UDder the hand of Moses.] Such expressions are not UDcommon with Old Testament saints. See especially Jer. x.x. 7, et seq. We learn that believers do not stand related to God as stones lying UDder a. cast-iron canopy of destiny. They are quivering sensibilities in the presence of the Father of spirits. What they feel, they may say ; better to say it. Ancl if an earthly parent will make allowances for an angry, misapprehending child, shall not our Father in heaven? "Let us therefore come boldly," etc. 2. The error of Moses. God was all the time working in the direction of salvation for the people and of extraordinary eminence for Moses; but he thought everything looked the other way. A similar error may be ours. 3. 'l'he accomplishment of the Divine purpose in Moses. To draw him away from ell secondary causes, to dependence on and co=union with God. II. 'I'm: CONDESCENDING FORBEARANCE OF GoD. In answer to the cry of Moses, God made five announcements of the very first importance. They were made with • L 2  148 THE BOOK OF EXODUS. [OH, VI, 9,