Exodus 5

God's will and ours are like the wind and tide when they are contrary; God wills one thing, we will another; God calls us to be crucified to the world, by nature we love the world; God calls us to forgive our enemies, by nature we bear malice in our heart; God's will and ours ar…

But let us come to temptations that are of a more particular and private experience: We murmur either for what we want, or for what we have lost, or for what we affect. First for what we want, as soon as we are straitened, we complain presently, this is not so bad as when we mur…

The reason they were without hope, was because they were without God, they denied a settled providence, and acknowledged a blind chance, and therefore could have no sound hope; so some understand it of denial of God's government. It might well give occasion to people to utter Ph…

In this we should delight and grow as the chiefest knowledge (Jeremiah 9:23, 24). Here is forbidden, first atheism, to persuade our heart there is no such true God in heaven (Psalm 14:1; Exodus 5:2); mockers of him and his works (2 Peter 3:4, 5, etc.); those that oppose themselv…

So when the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, were they humbled? In fact, their murmuring against Moses and Aaron (Exodus 5:20-22) testifies their pride: and in that miraculous deliverance, and greatest danger, when they were between Satan and the deep sea, they were not humbled…

In his laws he appoints our duty, in his providence he appoints their trials; to refuse either, is to question his sovereignty (Psalm 12:4): Who have said, With our tongues will we prevail, our lips are our own, who is Lord over us. (Exodus 5:2) And Pharaoh said, who is the Lord…

If things continue at one rate with us, we think our prayers are lost, and our hopes perished from the Lord: much more when things grow worse and worse, and our darkness and trouble encreases, as usually it does just before the break of day and change of our condition, then we c…

Thirdly, [in non-Latin alphabet] or priests, it may be in every private household, the first born, which are mentioned, and so called before the constitution of the Aaronical priesthood (Exodus 19:21). Besides these, there were officers who attended the service of the whole peop…

It is added, they hear not the voice of the oppressor. The word which we translate an oppressor, signifies by violence to compel one to work or to pay a debt; so the taskmasters, (Exodus 5) are said to compel the people with violence to go on about the work. The same word signif…

No, it's presently quenched. An unbroken Tyrant void of the spirit, when he heard that charge, Let my people go; They are my servants (says the Tyrant) not your people (Exodus 5:2). Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice, and let Israel go?

He who shows mercy on whom he will, and hardens whom he will, and that by a strong mighty will which no man can resist, he can find fault with no man, though he sin and harden his own heart; for his absolute sovereign will is far above me and my strength; but so does the Lord, s…

Expediency and inexpediency were great motives to him, to forbear things which were otherwise lawful: yet little is this regarded by many: for (1 Corinthians 10:33). 1. Many command things to the very utmost of their servants' strength, if not above it, (as Pharaoh) or else thin…

He doubles the burden. (Exodus 5:17) You are idle, etc. So that out of bondage of soul, they would not hearken to Moses.

God does not only give us counsel as a friend, but commands us as a sovereign; and so the second notion whereby the evil of sin is set forth, is that of disobedience and rebellion; and so it is a great injury done to God, because it is a depreciation and contempt of his authorit…

But why are the persecutors and the injurious called the proud? Answer 1. Because wicked men shake off the yoke of God, and will not be subject to their Maker, and therefore desist not from troubling his People (Exodus 5:2). Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice, and let…

2. Sin is contrary to all the names and attributes of God; it sets itself in opposition to them all. (1) It deposes the sovereignty of God, as much as in it lies; it will not that the King of Kings should be on the throne, and govern this world which he has made: it was by this…

The heir, as he is a child or babe, differs nothing from a servant, but is under tutors and governors; so we (says the apostle) were in bondage, etc. To be under tutors, is all one as to be under a schoolmaster, and that's to be in a condition of bondage: Many go to school with…

This is the guise of every graceless heart in the commission of sin; so Pharaoh — who is the Lord? I know not the Lord, nor will I let Israel go (Exodus 5:2). In the time of their prosperity see how the Jews turn their backs and shake off the authority of the Lord: we are Lords…

Pharaoh soon bethought him what consequence might follow upon this, and cunningly labors to prevent by doubling their task: Ye are idle, ye are idle, therefore ye say, Let us go, and do sacrifice to the Lord. Go thorefore and work, Exodus 5:17, 18. As if he had said, Have you so…

(6) And vain stoutness to dare God in his own quarters and fight him (Exodus 14:8, 23; Exodus 23:8, 13; Isaiah 36:10-11, 36-37), if it were in his own seas as Pharaoh and the Egyptians would do. 13. There is a wicked hardening of the heart, when men make the Lord his word and mi…

Lastly, I say, that though a man is sure of victory, and that his cause is never so good, and that he goes on a good ground, yet God may in his wisdom so dispose of the matter, that he may lose the victory for a time, as we see the Israelites, in a good cause were foiled twice b…

The law setting upon him in this condition by all the ways forementioned, brings him into great trouble and perplexity, fear and terror, but delivers him not at all. So that it is with the soul, as it was with the Israelites when Moses had delivered his message to Pharaoh, they…