od appears to Moses in a burning bush. (1-6) God sends Moses
to deliver Israel. (7-10) The name Jehovah. (11-15) The
deliverance of the Israelites promised. (16-22)
Verses 1-6: The years of the life of Moses are divided into three
forties; the first forty he spent as a prince in Pharaoh's
court, the second as a shepherd in Midian, the third as a king
in Jeshurun. How changeable is the life of man! The first
appearance of God to Moses, found him tending sheep. This seems
a poor employment for a man of his parts and education, yet he
rests satisfied with it; and thus learns meekness and
contentment, for which he is more noted in sacred writ, than for
all his learning. Satan loves to find us idle; God is pleased
when he finds us employed. Being alone, is a good friend to our
communion with God. To his great surprise, Moses saw a bush
burning without fire to kindle it. The bush burned, and yet did
not burn away; an emblem of the church in bondage in Egypt. And
it fitly reminds us of the church in every age, under its
severest persecutions kept by the presence of God from being
destroyed. Fire is an emblem, in Scripture, of the Divine
holiness and justice, also of the afflictions and trials with
which God proves and purifies his people, and even of that
baptism of the Holy Ghost, by which sinful affections are
consumed, and the soul changed into the Divine nature and image.
God gave Moses a gracious call, to which he returned a ready
answer. Those that would have communion with God, must attend
upon him in the ordinances wherein he is pleased to manifest
himself and his glory, though it be in a bush. Putting off the
shoe was a token of respect and submission. We ought to draw
nigh to God with a solemn pause and preparation, carefully
avoiding every thing that looks light and rude, and unbecoming
his service. God does not say, I was the God of Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob, but I am. The patriarchs still live, so many years
after their bodies have been in the grave. No length of time can
separate the souls of the just from their Maker. By this, God
instructed Moses as to another world, and strengthened his
belief of a future state. Thus it is interpreted by our Lord
Jesus, who, from hence, proves that the dead are raised, (Lu
20:37). Moses hid his face, as if both ashamed and afraid to
look upon God. The more we see of God, and his grace, and
covenant love, the more cause we shall see to worship him with
reverence and godly fear.
Verses 7-10: God notices the afflictions of Israel. Their sorrows; even
the secret sorrows of God's people are known to him. Their cry;
God hears the cries of his afflicted people. The oppression they
endured; the highest and greatest of their oppressors are not
above him. God promises speedy deliverance by methods out of the
common ways of providence. Those whom God, by his grace,
delivers out of a spiritual Egypt, he will bring to a heavenly
Canaan.
Verses 11-15: Formerly Moses thought himself able to deliver Israel,
and set himself to the work too hastily. Now, when the fittest
person on earth for it, he knows his own weakness. This was the
effect of more knowledge of God and of himself. Formerly,
self-confidence mingled with strong faith and great zeal, now
sinful distrust of God crept in under the garb of humility; so
defective are the strongest graces and the best duties of the
most eminent saints. But all objections are answered in,
Certainly I will be with thee. That is enough. Two names God
would now be known by. A name that denotes what he is in
himself, I AM THAT I AM. This explains his name Jehovah, and
signifies, 1. That he is self-existent: he has his being of
himself. 2. That he is eternal and unchangeable, and always the
same, yesterday, to-day, and for ever. 3. That he is
incomprehensible; we cannot by searching find him out: this name
checks all bold and curious inquiries concerning God. 4. That he
is faithful and true to all his promises, unchangeable in his
word as well as in his nature; let Israel know this, I AM hath
sent me unto you. I am, and there is none else besides me. All
else have their being from God, and are wholly dependent upon
him. Also, here is a name that denotes what God is to his
people. The Lord God of your fathers sent me unto you. Moses
must revive among them the religion of their fathers, which was
almost lost; and then they might expect the speedy performance
of the promises made unto their fathers.
Verses 16-22: Moses' success with the elders of Israel would be good.
God, who, by his grace, inclines the heart, and opens the ear,
could say beforehand, They shall hearken to thy voice; for he
would make them willing in this day of power. As to Pharaoh,
Moses is here told that petitions and persuasions, and humble
complaints, would not prevail with him; nor a mighty hand
stretched out in signs and wonders. But those will certainly be
broken by the power of God's hand, who will not bow to the power
of his word. Pharaoh's people should furnish Israel with riches
at their departure. In Pharaoh's tyranny and Israel's
oppression, we see the miserable, abject state of sinners.
However galling the yoke, they drudge on till the Lord sends
redemption. With the invitations of the gospel, God sends the
teaching of his Spirit. Thus are men made willing to seek and to
strive for deliverance. Satan loses his power to hold them, they
come forth with all they have and are, and apply all to the
glory of God and the service of his church.
od appears to Moses in a burning bush. (1-6) God sends Moses
to deliver Israel. (7-10) The name Jehovah. (11-15) The
deliverance of the Israelites promised. (16-22)