king of Egypt adopted other means of cruelty, besides their previous sufferings. Charge was given to all the Hebrew midwives, that they should kill every male child that might be born. Disappointed in that design, by the midwives fearing God and not regarding the king's commandment, a law was enacted to throw every male child, as soon as it was born, into the river; and all the people of the land were empowered by that law to do so with impunity. All these things are stated, verse after verse, throughout the chapter.

Can we

What a cruel, bloody, and murderous policy was this! Laws based in blood! and the whole government of a mighty nation founded on tyranny, murder, and death! wonder that God, in his righteous judgment, determined to make that nation a signal monument of his heavy wrath? Can we wonder

at the high displeasure of heaven? Can we wonder, when such a course is pursued by any nation, or by any individual, that the measure of iniquity is soon filled, and wrath comes upon them to the uttermost? And does not this alarming fact speak to other nations, and other persons, besides the nation and people of Egypt? Have not the people of God been often evil intreated, and cruelly dealt with, merely to carry out the policy, or to gratify the caprice, or wickedness, of some ungodly prince or ruler? Are there not many such instances recorded in the faithful page of history, too bloody in their nature to be forgotten, and too enormous to be obliterated by the course of time? Will not God, sooner or later, take vengeance for all such cruel deeds? Will he not avenge the blood of his martyrs, and the injustice done to his saints? Doubtless he will assuredly do so. It matters not how long the judgment may be delayed; it will come at last. Egypt's doom was held in abeyance for upwards of four hundred years. But the longer the respite, the more tremendous will be the visitation when it actually comes to pass. (Gen. xv. 13, 14; Rev. vi. 9, 10, 11.)

In the meantime, nothing can hinder the purpose, or prevent the blessing of God. The poor oppressed Israelites grew and multiplied more and more. The hand of God was evidently stretched over them; his blessing rested upon them. So it is with the

2 And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.

3 And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink.

4 And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.

5¶ And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river's side; and when she saw the ark among the flags she sent her maid to fetch it.

6 And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children.

7 Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?

8 And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child's mother.

9 And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it.

10 And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became And she called his name 'Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the

her son.

water.

11 ¶ And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren.

12 And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.

13 And when he went out the second day,

behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow?

14 And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known.

15 Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.

16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.

17 And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.

18 And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day?

19 And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock.

20 And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread.

21 And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter.

22 And she bare him a son, and he called his name 'Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.

23 ¶ And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.

24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.

We reviewed, in the last chapter, the miseries of Israel in Egypt; how cruelly they they multiplied and grew. were oppressed; and how, notwithstanding, These miseries

were not always to continue.

There was to

be an appointed period to their endurance. Even before they went down into Egypt, nay, even before they had any national existence beyond the person of Abraham and the promise given, their future history was exactly foretold, and their afflictions and deliverance were distinctly made known. (Gen. xv. 13, 14.) The time was now hastening on, but many events would prepare the way. One important link in this wonderful series of persons and events is here described; namely, the birth of Moses. Let us learn, that, in due time, God will certainly fulfil all he has promised for the safety and salvation of his redeemed church and people. Let us confidently rely on his word, fulfil the duties of our station, and patiently wait the time of his gracious deliverance.

The genealogy and birth of Moses are here narrated. He was a Levite of the Levites; his father and mother being both of that tribe; and he was born in the midst of that bloody persecution. No parent could openly declare, at that time, that he had a son. Death would have immediately ensued upon the avowal. For three months after the birth of this child, his mother hid him; but when this could no longer be done, what course shall she next pursue? Committing the child to God, she framed an ark of bulrushes; daubed it with slime and pitch, to prevent it from sinking; put the child therein; laid it among the flags by the river's side; and his sister stood afar off, watching to see what would be done to him. No doubt many a prayer was offered up for the safety of that child; and, believing that God was able to provide for the babe's All security, she calmly awaited the issue. this, the apostle tells us, was done in faith. (Heb. xi. 23.)

Now, mark the hand of God. Just at that time, the daughter of Pharaoh goes down to bathe in the river. She comes to the very spot where the child lay. The ark was descried by one of her attendants. When it was opened the child wept, and her heart was touched with pity. She determined to preserve the

child, to adopt him as her own son, and to provide for his being nursed and brought up. What a series of providential circumstances is here! Who can doubt the finger of God throughout the whole? How clearly may we perceive, that the Lord has all hearts in his hand, and that he can dispose them as it seemeth best to his godly wisdom! From that very river in which he was condemned to die, and by the daughter of the very man who had passed that murderous law, was Moses rescued, and raised up to be the deliverer of that oppressed race! Truly the Lord's doings are marvellous in our eyes! (Ps. cxviii. 23.)

When Moses was grown up, he seems to have felt some desire for the deliverance of his people. Probably he thought that, from the position he held, he might be able to accomplish his purpose, and wished his brethren so to understand him. But this was not the appointed way. His own hasty and indiscreet efforts came to nought. He was obliged to flee for his life; and, in a distant land, he was to learn humility, and to wait his call from God. Generally speaking, such is God's method of dealing. Before honour there must be humility. Before we can do anything aright for him, we must be made to see that we can do nothing; and that all our own efforts, till thus prepared, are of no avail.

In the meantime Moses is learning, and the people are suffering. God is teaching him to be their deliverer, and instructing them to desire their deliverance. Many miles were they asunder; but God was preparing both for the appointed time when their bondage was to terminate. Is it not often so in regard to the sinner? When he begins to sigh by reason of the miserable bondage of his soul, and his cry comes up unto God, the time of deliverance is not far distant; the groaning of that soul is heard on high. God remembers the covenant of his love in Christ; he looks down in mercy upon that mourning penitent, and shews a gracious respect unto him. The Word proclaims salvation by the blood of Christ. The Spirit opens and applies that salvation to the heart. The sinner believes to the saving of the soul; he begins to rejoice and to be exceeding glad, and learns from that time to praise and glorify the Lord.

CHAPTER III.

14

1 Moses keepeth Jethro's flock. 2 God appeareth to him in a
burning bush. 9 He sendeth him to deliver Israel.
The name of God. 15 His message to Israel.

NOW
Now te priest of Midian: and

OW Moses kept the flock of Jethro his

he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.

2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.

3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.

4 And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

7¶ And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

9 Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.

10 Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.

11 ¶ And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

12 And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.

13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your

fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?

14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

16 Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt:

17 And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.

18 And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.

19¶ And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, 'no, not by a mighty hand. 20 And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go.

21 And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty:

22 But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.

and as the time drew near, the way began to open for bringing it to pass.

You are here told of the manner in which the Lord called Moses to his office and work. Under a most significant emblem, in a flame of fire in the midst of a bush, burning but not consumed, the Lord was pleased to appear unto his servant, and to make known to him what he intended to do. As a believer in Christ, Moses had known the Lord long before. We are expressly told that it was “by faith" he acted when he “refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;" and that in so doing he "esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt." (Heb. xi. 24-26.) That faith secured the salvation of his soul. In the spirit of the same faith he was now to act as the deliverer of the afflicted and oppressed people of God. May we not learn that true faith will always rise superior to the world? and that, whatever services or trials may be allotted us, in the appointed time our way shall be made plain, and strength shall be given according to our need?

When the Lord thus appeared unto Moses, he was both surprised and humbled. Why the bush burned with fire and was not consumed, he desired to know; and he turned aside to see. But when he drew nigh, he was taught to stand with reverential awe before the Lord; and thus the Lord revealed himself in his covenant relation to his church and people. How many practical lessons may hence be inferred! Is not our God a consuming fire"? (Heb. xii. 29.) Is not the church, like this burning bush, in the midst of fiery trials and heavy afflictions, yet not consumed? And why is it not consumed? Because the Lord is there." (Ezek. xlviii. 35.) The Lord was in that burning bush, and therefore it was not consumed. The Lord is in his church and with his people, and therefore they are not destroyed. Again, will not the Lord be "had in reverence by all them that are about him?" (Ps. lxxxix. 7.) Does not holiness become the house and the presence of the Lord for ever? (Ps. xciii. 5.) And further, can we know any thing either of what he intends to do, or of what he is in. himself and to his people, but as he is pleased to make himself known? Let us learn, then,

to be humble, and not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think; "but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." (Rom. xii. 3.)

When Moses was told for what purpose the Lord thus appeared unto him, he shrank from the work appointed him. "Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?" (v. 11.) Time was when he thought very differently. He wished to be considered as their deliverer; but then he did not know himself. Now he felt his nothingness, because he had learnt a salutary lesson. Thus, ignorance and want of self-knowledge will always puff us up with vain conceits; but true grace will ever keep us humble. Happy is he who learns this salutary lesson under the teaching of God. It will prepare the way for every work and service of duty and love to which he may be called.

The Lord was pleased, however, to obviate the fears of his chosen servant; to send him on his appointed work; and, although he would have to contend with many difficulties at first, he assured him of ultimate success. Is it not thus the Lord deals with his servants still? Does he not kindly remove our fears, and mercifully renew our strength? Does he not encourage us for our work, and proIf mise that in the end it shall succeed? hardened sinners refuse the gospel message, he will touch the heart of his chosen, and make them willing in the day of his power. Even if many, to whom it is sent, turn a deaf ear to the truth, it shall sooner or later become evident that the Lord hath not sent his word in vain. Let us, then, prepare for our work; seek help from above; go forth in the Lord's strength; look to him for a blessing; and, in due time, we shall have cause to say, "What hath God wrought!" (Numb. xxiii. 23.)

hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee.

2 And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.

3 And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.

4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand:

5 That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.

6 And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.

7 And he said, Put thine hand into thy bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh.

8 And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.

9 And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.

10 And Moses said unto the LORD, O my LORD, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?

12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt

say.

13 And he said, O my LORD, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.

14 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.

15 And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with