V. 8-10. The constant observance of these be evident to every reader, who considers the institutions, with plain and easy explications of journeys of the sons of Jacob into Egypt. But the meaning to the young persons, would render the Philistines were a hardy warlike people; and the deliverance out of Egypt familiar to the the Israelites were unarmed, dispirited by long Israelites, from generation to generation; and bondage, and not acquainted with war; and they be a continual memorial, as well as an open might have been greatly discouraged, had they profession, of their obligations to love and serve been reduced to the necessity of engaging so the Lord: as those who wish to remember and soon with these formidable enemies. This was fear to forget any thing, use a variety of meth- one reason, and probably the avowed reason, ods to remind them of it. Inscribing it upon the why the Lord led them another way: so that, by hand, placing it before their eyes, or as a front- his express command, the Israelites took their let upon their foreheads, seem to have been route, much more to the south, than the direct used in those times for such purposes.-"That road lay; and they marched towards the banks the LORD's law may be in thy mouth;" "that of the Red Sea; instead of going directly to the 'their children might be able to declare to their isthmus of Suez, which communicates betwixt 'posterity, the law of the Lord about these mat- Africa and Asia. It is probable, that at this 'ters.' Bp. Patrick.-In like manner Baptism time, the Israelites had scarcely any weapons of and the Lord's Supper, if clearly explained and war: though they seem to have procured some duly attended on, would render the nature of from the dead bodies of the Egyptians, before Christianity, and the obligations of Christians, the Amalekites attacked them. (17:8-13.)— familiar to the minds of one generation after The margin intimates that the word, translated another; and remind them, or give them occa-harnessed, may signify, by five in a rank; but the sion to remind one another, of their obligations, their duty, and the vows of God which are upon them. V. 11-16. The first-born males alone were thus set apart for God: if a female preceded, the first succeeding male was not considered as the first-born. The firstling males of such animals as were appointed for sacrifice, were offered at the altar; but others must either be exchanged, or killed. The firstling of an ass is mentioned, as asses were common among the Israelites; but that of horses or camels likewise, which were not common, seem to have been under the same regulation. The Levites were afterwards taken instead of the first-born children. (Notes, Num. 3:)-This custom likewise would give parents an important opportunity of instructing their children, in respect of the wonderful works of God in behalf of his people. V. 17, 18. The nearest road from Egypt to Canaan was only a few days' march; as it must The room such a multitude must have taken from the Harnessed. (18). Rendered by the CHAP. XIV. with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying," God will surely The way taken by Israel proves the occasion of hardening Pha visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you. 20 And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. 21 And the LORD went before them, by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night. 22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night from before the people. g Gen. 50:24,25. Josh. 24:32. Acts 7:16. b 4:31. Gen. 48:21. Luke 1:68. 7:16. i Num. 33:5,6. k 14:19-24. 40:34-38. Num. m 9:15-22. 10:34. 14:14. Deut. 1: raoh's heart, 1-4. He pursues them, 5-9. Being affrighted, they murmur; but are encouraged by Moses, 10—14. God instructs Moses, 15-18. The cloud removes behind the camp the Red Sea is divided; the Israelites pass through it; but the Egyptians following them are drowned, 19-30. The Israelites are suitably affected, 31. A ND the LORD spake unto Moses, say ing, b that they turn and encamp before Piha2 Speak unto the children of Israel, hiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baal-zephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea. d 3 For Pharaoh will say of the chil dren of Israel, & They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them 33. Neh. 9:12,19. Ps. 78:14. in. 1 Ps. 121:5-8. m Rev. 10:1. LXX εύζωνοι, Josh. 1:14. and διεσκευασμένοι, Josh. 4:12. It occurs also Judg. 7:11. V. 19. The bones of Joseph had long been a pledge of Israel's deliverance, and of their inheriting Canaan. Some think that the bones of the other sons of Jacob likewise were carried with the Israelites to Canaan, though it is not here expressly mentioned. (Note, Gen. 50:24—26.) V. 21, 22. The Lord manifested his gracious presence with Israel, by a miraculous appearance in the air, in form like a pillar, the base of which was so large as to overshadow the camps of Israel. This was seen by day as a cloud, and by night it gave light as fire; and it seems to have been continued with them, to direct their marches, and as a pledge of the divine protection, || till they entered Canaan.-This pillar represented the guidance, comfort, and security, which the Lord affords his true people; from the time when they renounce the service of sin and Satan, until they safely arrive in heaven. PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. V. 1-10. a 9. 13:17,18. Num. 33:7. b Jer. 44:1, 46:14. Ez. 29:10. c 7:3,4. Deut. 31:21. Ps. 139:2, 4. Ez. 38:10,11,17. Acts 4:28 d Judg. 16:2. 1 Sam. 23:7,23 Ps. 71:11. Jer. 20:10. V. 11-22. By creation, and as preserved and sustained by him, we are the Lord's property, and he has a right to dispose of us as he pleases; but redemption gives him a new and more endearing title to our bodies, souls, and services: and exemption from the desolations which come on the wicked, and deliverance from the malice of our enemies, flow from his mercy, through the ransom of the Redeemer's blood, and by the power of his mighty arm. If we are really made partakers of these benefits, we belong to "the church of the first-born, whose names are written in heaven;" and we are required to "present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our reasonable service.” Nor shall we ever enjoy so much liberty, or so much comfort in our children and substance, as when we most unreservedly devote ourselves and them to him. "The strong man, armed" with our lusts and passions, our inveterate habits and intimate evil connexions, vehemently opposes our conversion, and "will hardly let us go;" but "when a Stronger than he comes upon him, he takes from him his armor wherein he trusted, We are so unteachable in divine things, that and divides the spoil." Then, being delivered we need the same lessons over and over, in from bondage, putting ourselves under the a variety of ways, before we make any toler- Lord's care and protection, and joining ourselves able proficiency: repetitions therefore are nei- to his people, we learn to walk before him in all ther impertinent nor useless.-The instruc- his ordinances and commandments: and though tions of the holy Scriptures are suited to render the way in which he leads us is widely different divine truths and precepts very plain and famil- from that which we should choose for ourselves; iar to our minds, that we may have them we shall find that he in every particular regards continually in view, frequently converse about our weakness, and that he orders all things for them, and regulate our conduct by them. our good, and in such a manner as may most ef Ministers when teaching their congregations, fectually keep us from returning back to sin and and parents when educating their children, the world.-Through all the intricacies and danshould keep this constantly in sight; and em-gers of the way, he will guide and guard us by brace every opportunity of deeply impressing his word and Spirit; he will enlighten every dark the minds of those committed to their charge, with a sense of their obligations to the Lord for all his benefits. They should use every means of rendering them well acquainted with his wonderful works, especially the redemption of the world by Jesus Christ, and his harmonious perfections, displayed in that grand design; CHAP. XIV. V. 2. The Israelites before this that they may thus be led to know, trust, love, had marched, not in the direct road to Canaan, and serve the God of their salvation.-But if we but more to the south, towards the Red Sea; unsincerely desire to devote ourselves to God, we til they came to the edge of the wilderness, must be as careful to search out, and put away, whither the Egyptians expected they were reall remains and occasions of sin, and to mortify tiring to offer sacrifices to the Lord. (13:20.) But and subdue every carnal and corrupt affection, now they received orders to turn still further out as the Israelites were to remove the leaven from of the way, into some impervious straits, or nartheir houses, when they celebrated the passover.row defiles. (Marg. Ref.) night of affliction by his holy consolations, and shelter us from the burning sun of temptation, until he bring us to his heavenly rest with everlasting songs of joy and praise. NOTES. [229 4 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, || 9 But the Egyptians pursued after that he shall follow after them, and I them, (all the horses and chariots of Phawill be honored upon Pharaoh, and upon raoh, and his horsemen and his army,) all his host; that the Egyptians may and overtook them encamping by the know that I am the LORD. And they sea, beside Pi-hahiroth before Baaldid so. zephon. 5 And it was told the king of Egypt, that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, i Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us? 6 And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him: 7 And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them. 8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand. V. 3, 4. It was the avowed design of God to harden the heart of Pharaoh; and he knew how to effect it, without being in any sense or degree the Author of sin. It would suffice for this purpose to remove all restraints from his heart and conscience; to leave him entirely to his own pride, and impetuous lusts, and to the instigations of Satan; and to arrange the dispensations of providence, so as most effectually to encourage his hopes of yet prevailing in the contest. The heart of Pharaoh had been sorely galled, but it was not in the least humbled. He had been repeatedly baffled and frighted, and forced to yield; yet his daring spirit was not subdued, but revolted more and more against the violence done him, so that he was fired with resentment and thirsted for revenge. His covetousness and ambition had been severely disappointed; his kingdom had been desolated and almost depopulated, and his first-born son slain: he had suffered an ignominious defeat; and nothing, but despair of success, and the urgent terror of death, could have extorted his consent to rael's enlargement.-While under the immediate pressure of the last dreadful visitation, every thing except the preservation of his life was forgotten: but when his terror and anguish were somewhat subsided, and his convictions abated, then his stoutness of spirit returned; and the thoughts of the mortifications, ignominy, and loss which he had sustained, with all their probable and possible effects, no doubt rushed into his mind. Then every thought or counsel would be welcome, which could point out the way, or revive the hope, of reducing Israel, or of wreaking his vengeance on them.-Had they marched directly towards Canaan, they would, probably, have been out of his dominions, before he had recovered from his fright, and he might have given them up in despair: but as they turned another way, and were, as he supposed, entangled in the wilderness, and shut up by surrounding rocks, mountains, and seas; he would [Practical Observations.] 10 T And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold the Egyptians marched after them, and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. n 15:9. Josh. 24:6. p Ps. 53:5. Is. 7:2. 8:12,13. 51: q Josh. 24:7. 2 Chr. 18:31. Neh. r 15:23,24. 16:2,3. 17:2,3. Num. 11:1. 14:1-4. 16:41. Ps. 106, 7,8. 5:22. Gen. 43:6. Num. 11. 15. t 5:21. 6:9. u Hos. 4:17. Mark 1:24. 5:7,17, 18. x Jon. 4:3,9. conclude that they were not under an infallible guidance, and thence infer that they had not an almighty protection, but might yet be subdued to his will: and what he ardently wished, feeble evidence would induce him to believe.-This the Lord foresaw; and that he might be honored upon the Egyptians, and make his power and justice known, he gave his directions to Israel accordingly.-I will 'shew my power and justice 'in their destruction, which would not have been so visible, had they died of the pestilence, ... as it was by hardening Pharaoh so far as to follow the Israelites into the Red Sea, where he and his whole host were overthrown; which made the terror of the LORD's wrath manifest to the world.' Bp. Patrick. V. 5-9. The Egyptians had consented to the departure of the Israelites, and even urged them to be gone; and when they liberally bestowed on them the gold and silver and raiment which they asked, they seem to have had no expectation that they would return. But as the Is-Israelites, probably, had not expressly declared themselves on this head; when the Egyptians heard, (perhaps by some of the mixed multitude who came back,) that they neither halted in the desert to offer sacrifices, nor kept the direct road to Horeb, (where some think they had said that they intended to keep a feast to the LORD,) but turned aside into intricate paths; they began to treat them as fugitive slaves. The servants of Pharaoh, while terrified by the divine judgments, and suffering severely the effects of them, had counselled him to dismiss Israel: yet considering themselves sharers in his loss and disgrace, and being again encouraged to expect better success; they blamed themselves for having let them go, and gave Pharaoh more agreeable advice: and he was so infatuated by worldly policy, and so hardened in obstinate rebellion against the Lord, that, forgetting his late terrors, he determined to take vengeance on Moses and on Israel Accordingly Egyptians, than that we should die in the || shall go on dry ground through the midst wilderness. of the sea. 13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to-day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to-day ye shall see them again no more for ever. * a 14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. 15 And the LORD said unto Moses, e Wherefore criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward. 16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it; and the children of Israel e he collected all his forces which were at hand, especially his chariots of war and his cavalry, which was the chief strength of his army; and without delay pursued the fugitives: but they, not expecting so formidable an enemy, had marched on with great alacrity, and in good order, not at all like slaves who were fleeing from their masters; and were at that time encamping by the sea. It is generally supposed, that on the right and left of their encampment there were impassable mountains or fortifications; while the Red Sea was in the front, and Pharaoh and his army pressed upon their rear. g 17 And I, behold I, will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honor upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horse 19 And the Angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them. 20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; He an of Moses was peculiarly illustrious. V. 15, 16. Moses was earnest in prayer at this trying conjuncture; and it cannot be supposed, that the Lord was displeased with him: but he thus assured him, that his request was granted, and that he was about to effect the deliverance of Israel. Moses needed only to excite and encourage the people to march forward; and God would make way for them, by dividing the sea, that they might go through it as on dry land. V. 10-12. It is evident, that all the wonders, wrought for Israel in Egypt, had excited in most of them nothing beyond transient convictions, hopes, and joy; and that in general they were destitute of true faith and confidence in God. They had therefore been in high spirits, when no danger appeared: but when they saw the army of Pharaoh marching up to them, they sunk into terror and despondency; and their cries to the Lord, having been extorted by dismay, were Yet it soon succeeded by rebellious murmurs. must be supposed that some out of the vast multitude, in this emergency sought the Lord in fervent prayer, while the rest vented their anguish in bitter complaints against Moses. All however were sensible, that such an unarmed multitude could not withstand Pharaoh's disciplined troops: they had no thoughts therefore of fighting, no prospect of escaping by flight, no hope in submitting to so enraged a tyrant; and very few of them had any confidence in God, or expectation from him, so that death seemed in-ty evitable. They therefore expostulated bitterly with Moses for leading them out of Egypt; as if he had done it by his own authority, and in order to expose them to the rage of Pharaoh, that he might kill them in the wilderness!-Thus, while Pharaoh, hardened in desperate presumption, forgat the wonderful works of God, which he and his people had seen and severely felt; the Israelites themselves, in unbelieving despondency, were equally regardless of them; and looked back with sad regret on the wretched slavery, under which they had before groaned! V. 13, 14. On this trying occasion, the faith V. 17. I, behold I.] This speaks the certain of the event, as the Lord himself undertook, that the heart of Pharaoh and of his subjects should be hardened. These had associated them selves with their king in rebellion, and were thus with him doomed to the same deserved pun ishment. V. 18. The Egyptians.] The miserable remains of this once flourishing people.-The expression, again and again repeated, "I will be honored, upon Pharaoh, &c." as marking the grand design of all these transactions, should be peculiarly noticed. V. 19. The Angel.] Either a created angel, by whose ministry this pillar was produced, and [231 and it was a cloud of darkness to them, || but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night. 21 T And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were P a wall unto them, on their right hand, and on their left. 23 And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them, to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24 ¶ And it came to pass that in the morning-watch, the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians, through the pillar of fire and of the cloud," and troubled the host of the Egyptians, m Ps. 18:11. Prov. 4:18,19. Is. | p 15:3. Hab. 3:8,9. Zech. 2:5. 8:14. 2 Cor. 2:15,16. n 15-8. Josh. 3:13-16. 4:23. Neh. 9:11. Job 25: 12. Ps. 66:6. 74:13. 78:13. 106:7-10. 114:3 -5. 136:13. Is. 51:10,15. 63: 12. o Num. 33:8. 1 Cor. 10:1. Heb. 11:29. q 17. 15:9,19. 1 Kings 22:20. r1 Sam. 11:11, s Job 40:12. Ps. 18:13,14. 77:16 t 19,20. u 25. Job 22:13. 23:15,16, 34: 25 And took off their chariot-wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, y Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them, against the Egyptians. 26 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. 27 And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared, and the Egyptians fled against it: and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. e 28 And the waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them: there remained not. so much as one of them. 29 But the children of Israel walked x Judg. 4:15. Ps. 46:9. 76:6. c 21,22. 15:10,19. Josh. 4:18. y Job 11:20. 20:24. 27:22. Ps. 68:12. Am. 1:14. 5:19. 9:1. z See on 14.-Deut.3:22.1 Sam. a 7:19. 8:5. Matt. 8:27. e Deut. 11:4. Ps. 78:53. Hab. 38-10. Heb. 11:29. f 13. 2 Chr. 20:24. Ps. 106:911. 136:15. g Job 38:8-11. Ps. 66:6,7. 77: 19,20. Is. 43:2. 51:10,13. 63:12, 13. moved; or rather the great Angel of the Cove-ny, both of Israel and of Egypt, had probably nant, the eternal Son of God. (24.) V. 20. Even in the night, the cloud caused an additional gloom to the Egyptians: yet it was a light to the Israelites, who marched as by daylight to the sea-shore; while their enemies bewildered in darkness could scarcely discern the prey, which they expected at once to seize upon! been many hours marching, with all possible speed, between the waters, piled up as walls on either side of them: and they must have gone several miles at that time. The channel of the Red Sea is thought by some to have been ten or twelve miles across, by others twenty, or more: but, taking the larger dimensions, even the Egyptians might have gone far more than half V. 21-23. At the stretching forth of Moses's the way before the morning-watch.-The Scriphand, and the waving of his rod, the Lord caus-ture uniformly states that the Lord led Israel ed a strong east wind to blow: but even this was through the Red Sea: yet the Jewish expositors, only the signal of his power, by which he divid- and some others, who pay far too much defered the waters, till they formed two mighty walls, ence to their comments, are of opinion, that and a spacious road between, through which after Pharaoh and his army were overwhelmed, the Israelites marched securely; being encour- the Israelites came out on the same side by aged, outwardly by the word of Moses, but in- which they had entered. This they ground wardly by the power of God; while the Egyp-chiefly, on the improbability of this large comtians, given up to desperate hardness of heart, presumptuously followed them. Some however think, that bewildered by the darkness, and hearing the Israelites before them, they were not aware that they had entered the sea, till it was too late to escape: but the language of the apostle seems to favor the former interpretation. (Heb. 11:29.) V. 24, 25. The Israelites, who marched foremost, probably entered the channel of the sea while it was yet day; and a very spacious opening being made for them, the others followed in a broad column, so that the whole multitude was marching on the bed of the channel of the sea, at the beginning of the night, the Egyptians closely pursuing them.-The watches,|| into which the Israelites, and afterwards the Romans, and probably many other nations, divided the night, were so called from the term allotted to watchmen or soldiers who kept guard, after which they were relieved. The morning-watch seems to have begun about three hours before sun-rise: so that the whole compa pany marching so far, in the short time allotted them; which in fact amounts to nothing: for if the path through the channel of the sea was as wide as the ordinary road by which they travelled; they might as well march twelve, or even twenty miles during the night, on this occasion, as the same distance during the same time, in any other part of their journey; and they were surely as likely to make all haste, while pursu ed by the Egyptians, and environed by the sea, as on an ordinary march.-It is also said, that they encamped in the wilderness of Etham, the first stage after they came out of the sea; and they encamped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness, after they left Succoth. (Comp. 13:20. Num. 33:6-8.) But is it not most likely, that the wilderness of Etham extended on each side the extremity of the Red Sea, while Etham was a town or village, situated near the place where the Israelites first entered that wilderness, whence it took its name? (Note, Num. 33:8.) Certain it is, that Horeb lay east of the sea, and they appear to have come out on that side |