The Pulpit Commentary — Exodus — Volume 2 — Section 334

~kless, but their very apostasy and recklessness bring out into stronger relief the clinging obedience of Moses. He hBB done well, and, more than that, Jehovah ha.1 spproved him; and now, therefore, he plesde that the a.pprovlll may not be in word only, but in deed; not in the promise of 110me future and distant recompenee, but In deliverance from 11, present difficulty near at hand. Moses is not slow to avail himself of every legitimate consideration which he may plesd with God. There were times when he would have been the fi111t to allow and indeed affirm his unworthiness before God; but God had counted him worthy, and in his present need he avails himself of God's gniciollll regard to gain as much as he can for his needy brethren. Thus some slight hint is given to us of the way in which, for Christ's sake, God regards men. God had made it plain to Mo8011 that he regarded him; and in effect Moses says, 11 If this regard be real, I will try it by large requests for my people." So let us feel that from the undisputed rega.rd of God for the pe1110n, obedience, and everything belonging to his well-beloved Son, there will a.J.eo come a regard to all the intercessions of that Son on behalf of a world 60 much alienated from God; and yet the more it is alienated, only th') more in need of his mercy and deliverance. 3. TM de.termined manner in which Moses a6SOCUIUS himself with hill propl,e. He and Israel were as one. He may not in so many words speak of them 88 hie people; on the eontrary, he very emphatically alludes to them, in addressing Jehovah, as" thy people;" but we feel that underneath mere, ex- pressions there lies this natural and beautiful resolution, not to be separated from those who were one with him in blood. He felt that if Israel was to be frowned upon, he could not, 60 far 88 his consciousneee was concerned, be favoured; and so we are led to think of the intimat.e association of Jesus with the children of men. Human nature is his nature ; and however unworthy and polluted human nature oft.en shows itself, how- ever low it may sink in forgetfulness of it.s original constitution and purpose, the fact remains that the Word of God became fl.esh, and the consequent kinship and claim must ever be recognised. 4. TM cry f.o God/or a revelation of his glory. Much intercourse Moses ha.d enjoyed with Jehovah, and often had he heard the voice that gave com- mandment and guidance. Indeed, as our minds go back over the past experience of Moses, and we consider how much he ha.d been through, this strikes us at first as a somewhat puzzling request :-" I beseech thee show me thy glory." But the puzzle rises rather from unspirituality in our minds than from anything in the circumstances of Moses him.self. Consider well the point to which he had attained, the distance which there was between him and his brethren, heart-infect.ed as they still were with image-worship, and there will seem little wonder that in the heart of this lonely servant of God there should rise desires for what s~crth and satisfaction might come to him from the vision of God. He had wed much for his people, and it was fitting that he should ask something for himself. And he wed something worthy, something pleasing to God, something of highest profit to himself, even as Solomon did later on. He asked that he might no lon,,"fll' have to deal with a voice as behind avail, but might see the face from which that voice came. The request was right and acceptable; but it could not be fully !!ranted. What a fact t.o ponder over ! What & humbling and yet hope- insp~ fact "'that ~ man cannot look upon the ~lory of. the Lord and ~ve I What ef Divine glory is manifested to us has to be manifested in & way that lS safe ; and surely this is part of the salvation wherewith we 11:f~ saved. that by:and-by~, w~en all pollution is cleansed away, we may be able to bear VlSlons and revelations which, if they were to be attempted now, would only destroy us.-Y. ,ers. 1-11.-Mercy wiJ,ed, in jv,dgment. I. GoD'B SEPARATION FBOK THE PEOPLE AKD ITS EFFECTS. 1. The separation. (1) In wrath he remembers mercy. 'l'hey will receive the land, but for the fathers' sake and his oath's sake, not becaw,e he has delight in t/,em. God's goodness is not always & proof of his being ple.ased with us, any more than his chastisements prove his anger. The former may be a loud call to repentance. 12) The reason for God's absence ; his presence would be judgment, not mercy:-" Lest i consume thee in the we.y." If God's face be hidden, and the sense of his presence and "uiding gone from us, his next revelation may be judgment. 2. Its effects. (1) The roeople mourned. It ~ no satisfac?on that_ God and .~hey were ~o longer ~ walk tuaether. (2) Other delights lost theu attractiveness:- No man did put on h!S orna- w~nt,;." (3) They were troubled by fear of judgment, for the Lord had said," I will en. U.IlV, 1-4.) TllE BOOK OF EXODUS.