*H But thy saints had a very great light, and they heard their voice indeed, but did not see their shape. And because they also did not suffer the same things, they glorified thee:
Ver. 1. Their. The Hebrews' (M.) or rather the Egyptians' voice. The land of Gossen was preserved from these horrors, (C.) though such Egyptians as might be found there, were exposed to them; and their dismal lamentations made the people of God appreciate their own happiness. They are styled saints, (H.) as the Church is holy, and has always some saints in her society. Out of it there is no sanctity. W.
* Footnote * Exodus 10 : 23
No man saw his brother, nor moved himself out of the place where he was: but wheresoever the children of Israel dwelt, there was light.*H Therefore they received a burning pillar of fire for a guide of the way which they knew not, and thou gavest them a harmless sun of a good entertainment.
Ver. 3. Therefore. "Instead of those things, " (Gr.) darkness and complaints, (H.) God led away his people in triumph. Hab. iii. 3. — A harmless sun. A light that should not hurt or molest them; but that should be an agreeable guest to them; (Ch.) or the desert should receive them, where they should be provided with food. M.
* Footnote * Exodus 14 : 24
And now the morning watch was come, and behold the Lord looking upon the Egyptian army through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, slew their host.* Footnote * Psalms 77 : 14
And he conducted them with a cloud by day: and all the night with a light of fire.* Footnote * Psalms 104 : 39
He spread a cloud for their protection, and fire to give them light in the night.*H The others indeed were worthy to be deprived of light, and imprisoned in darkness, who kept thy children shut up, by whom the pure light of the law was to be given to the world.
Ver. 4. Was. Lit. "began." H. — In Egypt, the Hebrews themselves were unacquainted with the law, which was given at their arrival at Sinai, and by means of the Greek version, and the propagation of the gospel, it was more divulged. C. — The unwritten law was, however, better preserved in that nation, than in any other: and the Jews were selected, in order that they might communicate the treasure to all. H.
*H And whereas they thought to kill the babes of the just: one child being cast forth, and saved to reprove them, thou tookest away a multitude of their children, and destroyedst them altogether in a mighty water.
Ver. 5. One child. Viz. Moses. Ch. — He was preserved to be the leader of the Hebrews, when the Egyptians were drowned (W.) in the Red Sea. M.
* Footnote * Exodus 1 : 16
Commanding them: When you shall do the office of midwives to the Hebrew women, and the time of delivery is come: if it be a man child, kill it: if a woman, keep it alive.* Footnote * Exodus 2 : 3
And when she could hide him no longer, she took a basket made of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and pitch: and put the little babe therein, and laid him in the sedges by the river's brink,* Footnote ** Exodus 14 : 27
And when Moses had stretched forth his hand towards the sea, it returned at the first break of day to the former place: and as the Egyptians were fleeing away, the waters came upon them, and the Lord shut them up in the middle of the waves.*H For that night was known before by our fathers, that assuredly knowing what oaths they had trusted to, they might be of better courage.
Ver. 6. Fathers. God had assured the patriarchs, that he would visit his people, and Moses had told them what would take place, during the night of their deliverance. Ex. iv. 22. and xi. 4. C.
*H For the just children of good men were offering sacrifice secretly, and they unanimously ordered a law of justice: that the just should receive both good and evil alike, singing now the praises of the fathers.
Ver. 9. Men. The patriarchs. Their children, the Israelites, offered in private the sacrifice of the paschal lamb; and were regulating what they were to do in their journey, when that last and most dreadful plague was coming upon their enemies. Ch. — Alike. The feast was a bond of union with God and their neighbour, (C.) and the Hebrews resolved to be always true to one another both in prosperity and adversity. H. — Fathers. Abraham, &c. Songs usually accompanied feasts, and the promises made to the patriarchs filled the Hebrews with confidence that they would shortly take possession of Chanaan. C.
* Footnote * Exodus 12 : 29
And it came to pass at midnight, the Lord slew every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharao, who sat on his throne, unto the firstborn of the captive woman that was in the prison, and all the firstborn of cattle.*H So all alike had innumerable dead, with one kind of death. Neither were the living sufficient to bury them: for in one moment the noblest offspring of them was destroyed.
Ver. 12. Noblest. The first-born (Ch.) of Pharao, and those of slaves and cattle, were slain. Ex. xii. C.
*H For while all things were in quiet silence, and the night was in the midst of her course,
Ver. 14. Course. This description of the decree, or angel of the Lord, is most magnificent. The Church applies it to Christ's nativity, who is thought to have been born at midnight. C. — It insinuated his coming, when the world should enjoy a profound peace, though buried in the darkness of ignorance. W.
*H Then suddenly visions of evil dreams troubled them, and fears unlooked for came upon them.
Ver. 17. Visions. These informed the Egyptians, that their miseries were not to be attributed to any natural cause. The dying proclaimed the same, as Moses had done. Ex. xi. 4.
* Footnote * Numbers 16 : 46
Moses said to Aaron: Take the censer, and putting fire in it from the altar, put incense upon it, and go quickly to the people to pray for them: for already wrath is gone out from the Lord, and the plague rageth.*H For when they were now fallen down dead by heaps one upon another, he stood between and stayed the assault, and cut off the way to the living.
Ver. 23. Living. Whom the angel was prevented from attacking. Num. xvi. 47. C.
*H For in the priestly robe which he wore, was the whole world: and in the four rows of the stones, the glory of the fathers was graven, and thy majesty was written upon the diadem of his head.
Ver. 24. Priestly. Lit. robe of the poderis, (H.) "reaching down to the feet," and made of sky-blue linen, with pomegranates and bells at the bottom. C. — The colours represented the four elements. H. — See S. Jer. ep. cxxviii. Joseph. iii. 8. — Fathers. The twelve descendants of Jacob, whose names appeared in the stones of the breast-plate. Ex. xxviii. 17. — Majesty. On a golden plate worn by the high priest on his forehead, was inscribed "Holiness to the Lord." Ib. xxxvi. C. — Sanctitas Jehova. M.
* Footnote * Exodus 28 : 6
And they shall make the ephod of gold, and violet, and purple, and scarlet twice dyed, and fine twisted linen, embroidered with divers colours.*H And to these the destroyer gave place, and was afraid of them: for the proof only of wrath was enough.
Ver. 25. Afraid. Or shewed a regard for them. H. — Great is the power of a saint, of holy vestments, and of prayer. M. — Enough. God did not intend to exterminate his people, as he had done the first-born of Egypt. C.