The Pulpit Commentary — Exodus — Volume 1 — Section 343

with no Pharaoh behind, with no enclosing mountains on either ha.nd, they might ha.vo rebelled. But circumstances lent a strong compulsive aid. We know not what we can do, what triumphs of faith we can achieve till God shuts us up to them. Then there was something also in the sight of the rod. God commanded. Moses to exhibit some- thin~ which had already been associated with wonderful deeds. 'rhus we soo God making plain to Israel the way out of their peril, and so far all is definite. But this being told, the definite immediately shades away into the indefinite. 'l'he indefinite mark, but not therefore the uncertain. All is manifest and straightforward with regard to the Israelites; they are to be safe. But what about Pharaoh and his army, We remember Peter's question to Jesus concerning John (John xxi. 21). "Lord, what shall this man do?" So Moses might ha'\"o questioned Jehovah-" Lord, what is to happen to Pharaoh?" Something on this matter Jehovah does say, just enough to preserve confidence, attention and expectation; bu.t, for the details Moses and Jsrael must wait_ ~ l_ittle longer. Mennwhi~e an inspiring hint is given of great judgment, great hum1hat1on, and for .Jehovah himself, great glory. Here the information stops• and here we again notice the eminent practicality of God's instructions. For the day'~ need and for _our own need God gives us the amplest guidance ; but what is to happen to our enennes, and exactly how they are to be removed he keeps within his own knowledge, as within his own power. The proper answer to all impious and curious pryings on our part is that which Jesus gave to Peter-" What is that to thee? follow thou me." III. NOTE THE CONSEQUENT DEALINGS OF JEHOVAH IN DELIVERING ISRAEL AND DESTROYING THE EGYPTIANS. 1. The altered position of the cloudy pillar. The anuel of God removed and went behind. By the angel of God is possibly meant the pillar itself. Just as the burning bush is described as a messenger of God (eh. iii. 2), so here there seems an indicating of the cloudy pillar as another messenger. Just at this moment it was not wanted for purposes of guidance. Indeed it would not have proved sufficient for these purposes. Jehovah had found it needful himself to in- tervene and signify by unmistakable words, the way in which he would have the people go. The cloudy pillar was enough for guidance only as long as the Israelites were in open and ordinary paths. But where it could not be used for guidance, it cuulcl be used for defence. God's messengers can easily change their use. The cloud, by changing its place, hindered Egypt, and thereby helped Turael. Nor did it help Israel in this way alone; the boon was a positive as much as a negative one. Surely this was a marvellous cloud, for it had in it darkness as well as light. Thus it served a double purpose. Hiding Israel from the Egyptian eyes, it proved the best of fortifications. But at the same time it shone upon the Israelites and gave them the benefits of day with the immunities of night. They could put everything in perfect order for the march, so as to take it the moment the way through the sea was ready. Imagine that miraculous light shining down on that miraculous path, even from end to end; just like a light shining down a street; and as it were pointing Israel onward, even though it stood behind them. Thus we are made to think of all the double aspect of the work of Jesus, how at the same time he confounds his enemies and guides and cheers his friencls. Consider this especially in connection with his resurrection. On the one hand he abolished death; on the other he brought life and immortality to light. 2. The obedience of Moses and the Israelites to tJ,,e Divine rommand. As we ha:7e noticed, all this had been well prepared for beforehand. Moses had been led up to 1t, and so had Israel · and therefore when the moment came, there was no hesitation. After what has been ;lready said there is no need to dwell on this actual obedience. It is enough to note in passinu that God havincr duly arranued all conspiring causes, the effect followed as a matter of'course. But no~ we come kl the point of main interest in the closing section of this chapter, namely, 3. The conduct, treatment, and ul!imatB fate of !he Egyptians. There is first, their infat00,ted advance. They go down m the path w~ch Jehovah had made for Israel as if it was to remain a path for them. The EgyptJ.B:D,S were too full of their purpose, too full of the spirit of v:engea~ce and greed_ to notice their danger, even though it was a danger of the most obvious krnd._ They IDlght ha:7e gone into certain positions where a miracle would have been reqwred ~ put them in danger; but here the miracle is already wrought, and these eneIDleS of ?ehova_h and Jehovah's people advance, as if the piled-up waters were thus to remam, thezr CH, XIV, 10-22.] THE BOOK OF EXODUS. 339