Notes from Exodus 12

This chapter gives an account of one of the most memorable ordinances, and one of the most memorable providences, of all that are recorded in the Old Testament.

I. Not one of all the ordinances of the Jewish church was more eminent than that of the passover, nor is any one more frequently mentioned in the New Testament; and we have here an account of the institution to it. The ordinance consisted of three parts:-
1. The killing and eating of the paschal lamb (v. 1-6, 8-11).
2. The sprinkling of the blood upon the door-posts, spoken of as a distinct thing (Heb. 11:28), and peculiar to this first passover (v. 7), with the reason for it (v. 13).
3. The feast of unleavened bread for seven days following; this points rather at what was to be done afterwards, in the observance of this ordinance (v. 14-20). This institution is communicated to the people, and they are instructed in the observance,
(1.) Of this first passover (v. 21-23).
(2.) Of the after passovers (v. 24-27). And the Israelites' obedience to these orders (v. 28).
II. Not one of all the providences of God concerning the Jewish church was more illustrious, or is more frequently mentioned, than the deliverance of the children of Israel out of Egypt.
1. The firstborn of the Egyptians are slain (v. 29, 30).
2. Orders are given immediately for their discharge (v. 31-33).
3. They begin their march.
(1.) Loaded with their own effects (v. 34).
(2.) Enriched with the spoils of Egypt (v. 35, 36).
(3.) Attended with a mixed multitude (v. 37, 38).
(4.) Put to their shifts for present supply (v. 39). The event is dated (v. 40-42).
Lastly, A recapitulation in the close,
[1.] Of this memorable ordinance, with some additions (v. 43-49).
[2.] Of this memorable providence (v. 50, 51).

Notes from Exodus 11

Pharaoh had told Moses to get out of his presence (ch. 10:28), and Moses had promised this should be the last time he would trouble him, yet he resolves to say out what he had to say, before he left him; accordingly, we have in this chapter,

I. The instructions God had given to Moses, which he was now to pursue (v. 1, 2), together with the interest Israel and Moses had in the esteem of the Egyptians (v. 3).
II. The last message Moses delivered to Pharaoh, concerning the death of the firstborn (v. 4-8).
III. A repetition of the prediction of Pharaoh's hardening his heart (v. 9), and the event answering to it (v. 10).

Notes from Exodus 10

The eighth and ninth of the plagues of Egypt, that of locusts and that of darkness, are recorded in this chapter.

I. Concerning the plague of locusts,
1. God instructs Moses in the meaning of these amazing dispensations of his providence (v. 1, 2).
2. He threatens the locusts (v. 3-6).
3. Pharaoh, at the persuasion of his servants, is willing to treat again with Moses (v. 7-9), but they cannot agree (v. 10, 11).
4. The locusts come (v. 12-15).
5. Pharaoh cries Peccavi-I have offended (v. 16, 17), whereupon Moses prays for the removal of the plague, and it is done; but Pharaoh's heart is still hardened (v. 18-20).
II. Concerning the plague of darkness,
1. It is inflicted (v. 21-23).
2. Pharaoh again treats with Moses about a surrender, but the treaty breaks off in a heat (v. 24, etc.).

Notes from Exodus 9

In this chapter we have an account of three more of the plagues of Egypt.

I. Murrain among the cattle, which was fatal to them (v. 1-7).
II. Boils upon man and beast (v. 8-12).
III. Hail, with thunder and lightning.
1. Warning is given of this plague (v. 13-21).
2. It is inflicted, to their great terror (v. 22-26).
3. Pharaoh, in a fright, renews his treaty with Moses, but instantly breaks his word (v. 27, etc.).

Notes from Exodus 8

Three more of the plagues of Egypt are related in this chapter,

I. That of the frogs, which is,
1. Threatened (v. 1-4).
2. Inflicted (v. 5, 6).
3. Mimicked by the magicians (v. 7).
4. Removed, at the humble request of Pharaoh (v. 8-14), who yet hardens his heart, and, notwithstanding his promise while the plague was upon him (v. 8), refuses to let Israel go (v. 15).
II. The plague of lice (v. 16, 17), by which,
1. The magicians were baffled (v. 18, 19), and yet,
2. Pharaoh was hardened (v. 19).
III. That of flies.
1. Pharaoh is warned of it before (v. 20, 21), and told that the land of Goshen should be exempt from this plague (v. 22, 23).
2. The plague is brought (v. 24).
3. Pharaoh treats with Moses about the release of Israel, and humbles himself (v. 25-29).
4. The plague is thereupon removed (v. 31), and Pharaoh's heart hardened (v. 32).

Notes from Exodus 7

In this chapter,

I. The dispute between God and Moses finishes, and Moses applies himself to the execution of his commission, in obedience to God's command (v. 1-7).
II. The dispute between Moses and Pharaoh begins, and a famous trial of skill it was. Moses, in God's name, demands Israel's release; Pharaoh denies it. The contest is between the power of the great God and the power of a proud prince; and it will be found, in the issue, that when God judgeth he will overcome.
1. Moses confirms the demand he had made to Pharaoh, by a miracle, turning his rod into a serpent; but Pharaoh hardens his heart against this conviction (v. 8-13).
2. He chastises his disobedience by a plague, the first of the ten, turning the waters into blood; but Pharaoh hardens his heart against this correction, v. 14, etc.).

Notes from Exodus 6

Much ado there was to bring Moses to his work, and when the ice was broken, some difficulty having occurred in carrying it on, there was no less ado to put him forward in it. Witness this chapter, in which,

I. God satisfies Moses himself in an answer to his complaints in the close of the foregoing chapter (v. 1).
II. He gives him fuller instructions than had yet been given him what to say to the children of Israel, for their satisfaction (v. 2-8), but to little purpose (v. 9).
III. He sends him again to Pharaoh (v. 10, 11). But Moses objects against that (v. 12), upon which a very strict charge is given to him and his brother to execute their commission with vigour (v. 13).
IV. Here is an abstract of the genealogy of the tribes of Reuben and Simeon, to introduce that of Levi, that the pedigree of Moses and Aaron might be cleared (v. 14-25), and then the chapter concludes with a repetition of so much of the preceding story as was necessary to make way for the following chapter.