"·as done, not merely on the first, but on the second occasion of his entree.ty, and after his fin;t promise had bren broken (ver. 29). So willing is God to do the sinner every justice, and to grant him every opportunity, which may result in hie ealvation. He does not wait for complete conversion, but welcomes in man the first signs of a disposi- tion to return to Him. He is as plenteous in mercy as He is severe in judament, 0 if mercy is despised. \'. 'l'HE EFFECT OF co:t-.--rnmED IMPENITENCE IN PRODUCING INCREASED HARDNESS OF IIF.~HT. _It is obviou_s from this chapter that Pharaoh was making rapid progress in ha.rdenrng himself. Going back a sta.ge or two, we can trace that progress in very marked degrees. We find him hardening himself-I. Against a. mira.cle which was plainly from God, but which he tried to persuade himself was only a work of magic- the conversion of the rod into a serpent. 2. Against a miracle which he knew to be from God, but ~c,ainst the influence of which his obstinacy enabled him to hold out-- the turning of the Nile into blood. 3. Against a miracle which he not only knew to be from God, but which convinced him of the hopelessness of further resistance, and which was removed from him at hls own request-the pla..,"1le of frogs. 4. Against hls own promise to release the Israelites. 6. Against a miracle which even his magicians failed to imitate, and declared to be the finger of God, (ver. 19)-the plague of iice. Hanng broken his promise, Pharaoh now felt, probably, that he must brave it out. 6. Against a miracle which showed yet more distinctly that the work was God's by the difference whlch wa.s put between the Egyptians and the Israelites dwelling in Goshen-the plague of files (vers. 22, 23). This seems to have produced a powerful impression upon the king, and he again besought the removal of the plague. 7. Against a second solemn proruise, and nfter being expressly warned against deceitful dealing (ver. 29). As the result of all, Pharaoh was acquiring facility in hardening hlmself, was rapidly losing his susceptibility to truth, was becoming infatuated in his obstinacy, and was strengthening his will in the habit of resistance. Thus fatally does hardening make progress !--J. O.
T"ers. 1-16.-The plague of frogs. Observe on this plagu:e, in addition to what has been said above. J. l'HARAOH'S RARD:S-ESS t;KDER THE FIBST PLAGUE WROUGHT NO ESCAPE, El'l'HER FROM THE DIVTh"E 0011="D on FROM THE DJVD."'E POWER (ver. 1). He probably thought, now that the river was healed, that he had done with Jehova.h's demand, and perhaps congratulated himself that he had succeeded in holding out. But divine commands are not thus to be got rid of. They are not to be got rid of by resistance. They are not to be got rid of even by braving out the penalty. They come back and hack to us, and always with the old alternative, obey, or incur new punishment. Our most furious opposition cannot rid us of the obligation of rendering to Jesus in the Gospel "the obedience of faith," nor shall we escape judgment if we refuse. 11. THE SECOKD PLAGUE INDUCED A SUllMISSION WHICH THE FIRST FAILED TO EXTORT (ver. 8). It was submission under compulsion, but it testified to a remarkable change in the king's views about Moses and Jehova.h. It was not long since he had been erecting himself in his pride in supreme defiance of both. Moses and Aaron he had treated as base-born slaves, and had ordered them back to their burdens (eh. v. 4). He had scorned the message of their God. and had shown his contempt for it by heaping new in.suits on Jeho,ah's worshippers. So impressed was even Moses by his lordly greatness, that he had shrunk from exposing himself to the proud king's despite. He thought it was useless for him to attempt to go to Pharaoh. Very different were Pharaoh's ideas about Moses and Jehovah now he had been smitten by the invisible hand of this God with these two reeling blows, and already he was on his knees asking for deliverance. The vaunting sinner will change his views of the living God when once he falls into His hands. ill. THE SECOND PLAGUE REVERSED THE RELATIONS OF MOSES AND PR.lllAOH, MAKING PHARAOH THE SUITOR, A~'D MOSES THE PERSON SUED TO (ver. 8). What a humilia- tion w this haughty monarch! How much better for himself had he yielded at first, and with a good grace, to the righteous demand made upon him I Nothing is gained by resist.a.nee to God, but ultimate pain and humiliation. All Pharaoh was humbled, so M06eil was exalted. He began to be " a gnd" to Pharaoh. Like reversals of the OR. VIIL 1-15.J THE BOOK OF EXODUS. 185