The Pulpit Commentary — Exodus — Volume 2 — Section 11

has to speak of the east wind, it is as of something which comes as easily as a blast from the nostrils. True, this expression is chiefly used to indicate his wrath; but it also indicates the ease-if ease be a fitting word to use of Jehovah-with which his work is done. In ver. 9, man is represented as resolving ancl rushing forth in the utmost confidence; anticipating the encl from the beginning; certain of his resources and certain of the result, and then as he advances in all his pride and ostentation, God meets him in equal simplicity and sublimity. "Th(J11, didst blO'ID with thy breath, the sea covered them; they sank as lead in the mighty waters." One breath from God, and the mightiest fabric goes down like a house of cards! Man accumulates his resources, he strains with prodigious efforts, he gathers his forces without mercy and without scruple; and then when all is in array, God calmly lifts his right hand, and the earth swallows the preparation and the pride of years. 11!. THERE 18 TRE EXAL'l'ATION OF Goo ABOVE ALL OTHER DEITIES WORSHIPPED BY MEN. "Who is like unto thee, 0 Jehovah, among the gods?" This, of course, is also an illustration of Jehovah's exaltation to supremacy. Moses and the Israelites had not attained the feeling that all other deities than Jehovah were but empty and delusive names. That discovery was reserved in the wisdom of God for later and prepared gene- rations. The feeling that the gods of the nations were real beings with terrible power, was very potent in the breasts of the Israelites, as was evidenced by their frequent and facile lapses into idolatry. Therefore this uplifting of Jehovah above the guds was most appropriate praise to put into the lips of Israel at this time. The gods of Egypt repre- sented the strength of Egypt ; the gods of Philistia the strength of Philistia ; the gods of every country the strength of every country where they were worshipped. When the strength of a land was broken, it was like writing Ichabod on the statue of its presiding deity. IV. THIS WAS AN EXALTATION m SUPREMACY WHICH EXTENDED TO THE FUTURE. God, shown supreme in the midst of his people and over their enemies, will maintain and manifest that supremacy in all the time to come. The calamities of Egypt travel- ling, as it had d:one, in the path of ten humiliations, and now utterly overthrown, are to be made known in Philistia, in Edom, in Moab, and all through Canaan. Here we find some explanation of the apprehension with which the progress of Israel was afterwards viewed, as by the Edomitesand Balak. The Israelites came to be looked on to some extent as a peculiar foe. The utter destruction of a whole army in the Red Sea. was not an event which could be kept in a corner. God had now done something for Israel which enemies might notice as a measure and an index of what would yet be done. Then from the mention of these typical enemies, Philistia, Moah, etc., we are led to consider the a,biding enemies of God's abidiny people, those invisible ones who are fully known only to God himself. They have some sense that what has been done by Jesus against them is the measure of what will yet be done. Just as the Philistines felt the sound of Pharaoh's de~truction echoing against their fastnesses, and even in the very echo, shn.k- ing them, so we may be sure the principalities a.nd powers of evil felt the greatness ,,f what had been achieved when Christ was raised from the dead. That great act of Jehovah has been far more appreciated in the invisible world, among the powers of evil, than it is among us. They cannot but feel what the end will be. What forgetting fools the Israelites were in after ages, to act in contradiction to this exultant song of pra.ise, trembling and fleeing before the nations that were round about.-Y. Vers. 1-19.-The song of triumph. The sense of Israers obl(qati<m to Jehovah fully expressed. God, we have noticed, is lifted up in this song. 'IN e now proceed to observe how he is lifted up in the Inidst of his people, whom he encompasses with his protection, whom he cheers and illuminates with his favour. His destruction is not mere destruction ; his supremacy is not only over his enemies, but also as the guide, the comforter, and the portion of his own. Hence we discover almost immediately ou ~rer.king into the song, how Israel is found expressing complete dependence on Jehovah. I. THERE IS THE EXPRESSION OF INDEBTEDNESS. God has come to Israel in its suffering, need, and helplessness. Israel is weak, and God gives the strength it needs. hracl is sad-hearted, and God enables it to burst forth in songs of gladness. Isrnel is in peril, tl.llcl God has interposed with effectual and abiding salvation. He has not only  12 THE BOOK OF EXODUS. [en. xv. 1-l!l.