EXPOSITION. Vere.1O-14.-TIIE TERROR OF IsRAEL AND would have been regarded by the Egyptian9 THE COURAGE 011' MosES. It hae been argued as open rebellion. 3. They were quite un- that the Israelites, if they were so numerous e.a accustomed to warfare. The Pharaohs muin- tained large garrisons of Egyptian and mer- stated (eh. xii. 37), must have been wretched cenary troops in the frontier provinces, to resist cowards, if they wero nlro.id to risk an engage- the invasions to which they were liable. The ment with such an army as that hastily Hebrews may have had occasionally to defend levied one which Pharaoh had brought with themselves against a hasty raid: but in real him. But the difference between an army war they had stood aloof, and left the fighting to the regular Egyptian army. The children of trained soldiers, thoroughly equipped for of Israel cried out unto the Lord. The appeal war, with helmets, shields, breastplates, swords to Jehovah showed that, with all their weak- and spears, and an undisciplined multitude, nesses and imperfections, the Israelites were UDJll'Illed for the most part, and wholly unac- yet true at heart. They knew where alone customed to warfare, is such, that the latter, help was to be obtained, and made their whatever its numbers, may be excused if it an appeal accordingly. No cry is more sure of answer than the despairing one-" Lord, does not feel able to cope with the former, save us; we perish." and declines an engagement. Numbers, Ver. l 1.-A.nd they said to Moeee. It was without military training and discipline, are not unnatural that, while flying to God as of no avail-nay, are even a disadvantage, their only refuge, they should be angry with since the men impede one another. It is not Moses. Moses, they would argue, ought to necessary to suppose that the Israelites were have known better than to have brought them into a situation of such peril. He, the leader, debased in character by their long servitude should have known the geography of the to e.ccount for their panic on seeing the army country-he, the courtier, should have known of Pharaoh. They had good grounds for their the temper of the court. It is always a satis- fear. Humanly speaking, resistance would faction to men to vent their anger upon some one when they are in a difficulty. No graves simply have led to their indiscriminate mas- in Egypt. Egypt, with a necropolis outside sacre. The alarm of the Hebrews, and even every city, was "a land of tombs; " surely they the reproe.ches with which they assail Moses, might have found graves there, instead of are thus quite natural under the circumstances. being led out to snch a distance simply What is surprising is, the noble courage and to die. CQllildence of Moses. Moses, though only didVer. 12.-Is not this the word that we tell thee 1 The reference was probably vaguely informed, that God would " be to that time of depression, after their burdens honoured upon Pharaoh and all his host " had been increased, and before the series of (ver. 4), is perfectly certain that all will miracles began, wher. the Israelites had ad- go well-how the result will be achieved, he dressed reproaches to Moses and Ai>.ron ( eh. knows not ; but he is sure that Israel will v. 21), and refused to listen to words of en- couragement (eh. vi 9). It was not true be delivered and Egypt discomfited ; his that they had uniformly held the same lan- people have no reason to fear-they have but guage, and desired Moses and Aaron to cease to " stand still and see the salvation of God " their efforts. It had been better for us to (ver. 13) ; "the Lord will fight for them;" serve the Egyptians than that we should die. The spirit to prefer death to slavery, where they will have simply to " hold their peace " they are the only,a.ltematives, is not a common (ver. 14). one ; o.nd we must not be surprised that a Ver. 10.-They were sore afraid. Before people which had grown up in servitude o.nd the Israelites are taxed with cowardice, let had no traditions of national independence it be considered-I. That they were un- did not rise to the heroic height attained armed. Egypt was so settled a govern- under other circumstances by Greeks, by ment that civilians generally went unarmed; Switzers, o.nd by Poles. It would have been and slaves, like the Hebrews, would scarcely most extraordinary had they done so. have been allowed to possess any 8.J'IIlS, if Ver. 13.-And Moses said ... fear ye not. the case had been otherwise. 2. They Moses knew that the pursuit of Isrnel by the had no military training. Whatever had host of the Egyptians was a l'art of the been done to teoch them order and arrange- counsel of God, and was to tend LD som8 way ment in connection with their p1 oposed or other to the promotion of God's hon tu· ancl journey, we may be sure there had been no glory (ver. 4). He had sufficient faith to drill or training in the nse of unns, since this believe in a deliverance the nature of wh,c, 828 THE DOOK OF EXODUS. [oH. XIV. 10--23,
it is not likely that he could anyway conjec- the words in the original favours the margma.1 ture. Wbether hail would fell from heaven rendering, which is to be adopted with one and demoy them (Josh. x. 11); or the earth slight change. Translate-" For, a,,r ye have gape and swallow them up (Num. xvi. 32) ; or seen the Egyptians to-day, ye shall see them the angel of death smite them all in the night age.in no more for ever," i.e., ye shall see (2 Kings xix. 85); or any other strange form them no more alive, vigorous and menacing, of destruction come upon them, he did not but still and lifeless upon tho Red Sea shore know ; but he concluded from what had been (ver. 80). There is no reference to any other revealed to him, that God was about to vindi- :Egyptians than those with Pha.re.oh in the cate his own honour without the aid of man. C&lllp, nor to any later relations between Hence his words~tand Btill, and aee the Egypt and the chosen people. Dlvation of the Lord-which assigned to the Ver. H.-Ye ■hall hold your peaoe-i.e Israelites a mere passive attitude of expecta- " do nothing, remain at rest " tion For the Egypti&na, ctc The order of