The Pulpit Commentary — Exodus — Volume 2 — Section 208

al,,n(' is jmlge of how far, e.nd with what m011.SUre of benefit to the lndividue.1, 1md of glnr~- tn l11m~elf, he c-an remit temporal chMtisements (Ex. xxxiii. 19). Respect will dn11 ht_lC'ss ~ had t.o the circumRtRncos under which the sin we.s committed, to the depth ,111<1 s1ncenty of the ropent&nce, to the publicity of the soondal (cf. 2 Sam. xii. 14), to lhl' moral hcnelit likely to e.ccrue, etc. 4. Hypocritical 1,rofossors of Christ's ne.me will he dealt with e.ccording to this rule. They will be punished with special severity (Matt. xxiv. 51). Ill. How RECONOILADLE WITH Gon's REVEALED ATTRIBUTE OF MERCY. Our thoughts l'l'Yert to the revelation of God's name in eh. x.xxiv. 6, 7. The attributes of mercy occupy the foreground, yet not to the denie.l of the sternness of holiness, which, in the lat-ter claul'EJS, finds distinct expression. "Forgiving iniquity &.nd transgression &.nd sin, and fliat will by no -ne ehar the gu,ilty, vi,s;,ting the iniquity of the fathers," etc. God's mercy to Israel was exhibited compatibly with what has boon seen to be the meaning of the text---{l) In his groat long-suffering in bearing with their provocntions. (2) Jn his turning aside the fierceness of his anger, in answer to earnest intercession, or when signs were shown of repent&.nce. (3) In limiting the measure of his wrath- either by exche.nging a severer penalty for a lighter one, or by shortening the time of infliction. Cf. Ps. lxxviii. 38---" But he, being full of compassion, forge.ve their iniquity, a.nd destroyed them not, yea, IIWIY a time turned he his anger e.way and did not stir up all his wrath. For he remembered that they were but flesh," etc. (4) Jn granting spiritue.l pardons, even when tempom.l penalties were not revoked. (5) In restoring the penitent to favour, after punishment had taken effect in inducing con- trition. (6) In keeping covene.nt with the children, even when rejecting the fathers. (7) The full reconciliation is BeeD in the Gospel, in the fact of the atonement.-J. O. Vers. 20-23.-T/UJ angel, of the covenant. Certain of the matters on which Jehovah had been speaking immediately before the promise of the &.ngel, assumed that the people would assuredly come to dwell in a le.nd very different from that in which they were now sojourning. God had done so much to call forth faith that, in spite of all ugly symptoms of unbelief e.nd murmuring, he could only go on speaking as if the faith would become a r~"lllar habit steadily finding deeper root in the Israelite heart. Thus we find him giving rules for the cultivation of cornlands, vineyards and oliveyards into which they had not yet come ; rules for the harvest feast &.nd a feast of ingathering of all the fruits, when as yet there was no indication of such an ingathering being possible. lt was fitting, therefore, that Jehovah should follow up his ste.tement of regulations by speaking confidently of the people's entrance into the land where the regulations were to be observed. That land ww. not yet in sight. So far, indeed, they had been travelling away from it rather than towards it, e.nd the district in which they now were was suggestive of anything but cornlands, oliveyards and vineyards. 1. THERE IS THE DISTINCT ABSUJLANCE OF SUFFICIENT GUIDANCE. The reference here is presumably to that glory-cloud in which God was to manifest his presence right onward till Cana.an was reached. That cloud was to be unintermitting and unmis- takable in its guiding efficiency. Whatever perplexities might come to a devout and attentive Israelite because of other things, no perplexities were possible as to the way in which he should go. Be might wonder why God led him in such a. way; but that it was really God's way he need not have any doubt whatever. Thus we see how lovingly God ever deals with the ignore.nee of his people. What is necessary for them to know is nJ.aae as plain WI the necessity deme.nds. They did not need e.ny discussions and collll.Sel.s among themselves, any balancing of the pros and cons which might determine them to one path rather than another. God perfectly knew the way and the needs and cl.a.r,aers of the way. He himself is never in doubt :1s to what his people should do. He is no blind leader of the blind. Be was ta.king lsr,a.el into the land which he had vreparoo, and the way was prepared as much as the dCEtination. Whatever uncertainty aud vacillation there may be about the Christian life comes not from him who leads, Lut from those who follow. Indeed, our very vacillation becomes more conspicuous as we contrast it with the steady undeviating path marvid out by our leader. Compare tl,e auuuUDcement that is made concerning the angel here with the demand of Jesus upuu hi, ,li,ciples-' Follow me." 11. 'l'!llila:: lli 'filE INDICATED ]'filllL oi· NJ,;GLECTING TJUT GUIDANCE. Not to follow CH. ltltlll, 24-:'J:J.] THE BOOK OF EXODUS. 219