Exodus 4

This Rod originally was that wherewith Moses fed the sheep of his Father-in-Law Jethro, in the wilderness, which he had in his hand when God called to him out of the Bush. And thereon God ordained it to be the token of the putting forth of his power in the working of miracles, h…

[〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉], is to give light or knowledge by teaching; the same with [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉] which therefore is so translated oft-times by the Greeks. As by Aquila (Exodus 4:12; Psalm 119:33; Proverbs 4:4; Isaiah 27:11) as Drustus observes. And it is so by t…

And it is a dangerous thing to be guilty of breaking God's Covenant, by not applying the initiating seal to those it is appointed for, even to all that are in Covenant (Genesis 17:9, 10, 14). Moses found danger in it (Exodus 4:24). Is there no danger of putting those out of the…

Plants that grow out of the Sun send up a longer stalk, but the fruit is worse: some Christians pitch all their care upon the growth of love, and take no pains to grow in knowledge; but this is not right, we should always follow on to know the Lord (Hosea 6:3). We read that Chri…

And visit their sins. God visits either in Mercies or Judgments, and in the godly visiting, it is to be understood concerning those things that seem'd before to be neglected, as in the 21. of Genesis, God visited Sarah when God seem'd to have neglected her: and so in Exodus 4. h…

Your faith toward God (1 Peter 1:21; Deuteronomy 1:32; John 3:12; Genesis 15:6; Daniel 6:23; Romans 4:3; Galatians 2:16; 2 Timothy 1:12). The word, promises, and Prophets and Apostles, are all creatures, and but media fidei, the means of saving faith: they are objectum quo (John…

And this has bin an vsuall dealing of God, with his own seruants. When Moses was called to deliver the Israelites, and was in the way, the Lord, for a defect in his family, comes against him; to destroy him, Exod 4:24. Da uid is annointed king of Israel: and withall Saul is rais…

For there is neither precept, nor fitting example for it in the word of God. The example of Zipporah is alleged (Exodus 4:28), who circumcised her child. Answer.

Let us therefore renounce all opinion of merit which is not to be found in us, that so we may wholly attribute all to God's free grace, who shows us no mean or common favor, when he vouchsafes to entitle us precious. In which respect he also calls us his firstborn (Exodus 4:22),…

And therefore it is well termed the power of God, indeed rather God himself. For so he said to Moses (Exodus 4): I will be in your mouth. And in (Psalm 81): Open your mouth wide: that is, show forth boldly, speak out, be hungry and I will fill it, I myself being present with you…

And not content simply to call them sons, sometimes he calls them his first begotten, sometimes his darlings. In Exodus the Lord says thus, Israel is my first begotten son, let my son go that he may serve me (Exodus 4:22). I am become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my first…

That he would grant us, that we being delivered out of the Hands of our Enemies, might serve him without Fear, in Holiness and Righteousness before him, all the Days of our Lives. God often speaks of holy Practice, as the End of that great typical Redemption, the Redemption from…

Abigail was a discreet and vertuous Wman, but very unsuitably matched to a churlish Nabal; see 1 Samuel 25:25 What a temptation to the neglect of a known duty, prevail'd upon the renowned Moses, by the means of Zipporah his Wife? Exodus 4. 24, 25. David had his scoffing Michal,…

Hence they have a long story in their Midrash, or mystical exposition of the Pentateuch, on the last section of Deuteronomy, about Samael's coming to take away the life of Moses; whom he repelled and drove away with the Rod that had the Shem Hamphorash written in it. And the lik…

Thus some affirm that Saint Paul used sundry Expressions, (and they instance in 1 Corinthians 4:3, Colossians 2:18) that were proper to the Cilicians his Country-men, and not so proper as to the purity of that Language wherein he wrote; but as the first of the Expressions they i…

Secondly, for the families or principal houses of the fathers there were [in non-Latin alphabet], the elders who presided over them. These Moses and Aaron gathered together at their first coming into Egypt (Exodus 4:29). And these, as I said before, being the rulers of the first…

Lest Satan should cavil that God had touched him but lightly, he puts him into Satan's power and lets him do it himself, who would do it thoroughly. The hand (as we before noted) is put for power, and when anything is put into the hand, it is put into the power or disposition of…

And lastly, others detract from themselves out of a too bashful modesty, or to avoid some troublesome and unpleasing employments which they are called to. Thus we find Moses (Exodus 4:10) making many excuses, that he was not eloquent, but of slow tongue, and a slow speech; and a…

31. (1 Corinthians 12:27) They which belong to the mystical body of our Savior Christ, and be in number as the stars of heaven, divided successively by reason of their mortal condition into many generations, are notwithstanding coupled every one to Christ their head, and all to…

4. The actings of God in all created effects, especially his influences of grace are letten out immediately, both immediatione virtutis, & immediatione suppositi, by immeate concurring of his power and vertue, and by the personal (as it were) concurrence of himself, so the Lord…

Armor of proof shall be sure to be shot at. It should seem that his wife was none of the best humored women; for what a passion was she in, about the circumcising of her son, when she reproached him as a bloody husband, and we do not read of one word that he replied, but let her…

Moses had a privy sore which he was loath to disclose; and therefore when God would have sent him into Egypt, he pleads other things — insufficiency, want of elocution, that he was a stammerer, that he had not utterance. Yes, but his carnal fear was the main: therefore see how G…

As to the inward case, it is God that gives a spirit of courage and fortitude, and a mouth and wisdom which all the adversaries shall not be able to gainsay or resist (Luke 21:15). He will give it us in that hour, what we shall say, so God encourages Moses when he pleads his slo…

What shall I say? Moses was unwilling to do what God bade, on this very score in (Exodus 4:10): I am not eloquent. But the reply of God was, Go, and I will teach you what you shall say.

2. They are also in some measure acquainted with their own sinful infirmities and temptations. God is pleased to manage his treaty with sinners about the things which concern their peace, by men of like infirmities with themselves; and he is wont to make such as he sends upon th…

Usually when the Lord intends us some signal mercy, he fits us for it by some eminent trial. As Moses's hand was first leprous before it worked salvation (Exodus 4:6), so God may let his people be stricken with the cursings and revilings of men before he showers down some blessi…

Defect 2 A second Defect in the confession of sin to God is this, when men in prayer do confess many sins to God, yet do leave out their master and predominant sins: many men are large in confession, yet do leave out their master sins. Moses, though a good man, yet was faulty in…

Now adoption is two-fold, 1. External, whereby the Lord takes a people by outward covenant and dispensation to be his sons, and thus all the Jews were God's firstborn (Exodus 4:22), and to them did belong the adoption (Romans 9:4-5). And hence their children were accounted sons,…

6. It is against God's anger and displeasure at the sins of his own children, for God is really angry at his own children's sins, and why then does he not punish them for their sins? (Exodus 4:14) The anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses. (Deuteronomy 1:37) Also the Lord…

As he has framed all things by his wisdom, so he continues them, by his providence in excellent order; as is at large declared in that golden Psalms 104. And this is not bounded to any particular places, or things, but his eyes are in every place beholding the evil, and the good…

(10) We never read of a miracle wrought by God, but what was evident, and conspicuous to all, and evidently seen to be such. As when Moses his rod was turned into a serpent, and became a rod again (Exodus 4:2, 3). Such were the wonders of Egypt.

Q. 1. What is God's actual providence? A. The effectual working of his power, and Almighty act of his will, whereby he sustains, governs, and disposes of all things, men, and their actions, to the ends which he has ordained for them (Exodus 4:11; Job 5:10, 11, 12; Job 9:5, 6; Ps…

Q. 1. What is God's actual providence? A. The effectual working of his power, and almighty act of his will, whereby he sustains, governs, and disposes of all things, men, and their actions, to the ends which he has ordained for them (Exodus 4:11; Job 5:10, 11, 12 & 9:5, 6; Psalm…