Exodus, Greek, "The way out, or going out." It is the book of Redemption. The second book of Moses. Connecting Exodus, closely with Genesis, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Thus the Pentateuch is one book. For the relation of Exodus to the other books of the Pentateuch, see appendix 1. The first half of the book deals with the nation of Israel "going out" of the land of Egypt. (Around 1446 B.C.). It is about the birth of a nation. A people who have become slaves to Egypt will be set free and form this nation.
Exodus 1
Exo 1:1 Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob. Verses 1-5 covers the names of the sons of Israel (Jacob), who moved to Egypt with their father, each with their family. (70 Israelites made it down to Egypt).
Exo 1:2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah,
Exo 1:3 Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin,
Exo 1:4 Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.
Exo 1:5 And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already. Seventy souls: (Genesis 50:26, Deuteronomy 10:22).
Exo 1:6 And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation. Levi survived him about twenty-three years. (Exodus 6:16).
Exo 1:7 And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them. They multiplied so greatly that they became extremely powerful in numbers and filled the land. About 600,000 men plus the women and children. (Exodus 12:37).
Exo 1:8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. A fresh dynasty. This Pharaoh was of a different race and dynasty. He was the Assyrian of (Isaiah 52:4). Probably Rameses Miamum, or his son Amenophis, who succeeded him about this period; and by his not knowing Joseph is meant his not acknowledging his obligation to him.
Exo 1:9 And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: The people of Israel now outnumbered the Egyptians.
Exo 1:10 Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. They were afraid of them growing to strong and escaping the country.
Exo 1:11 Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. The King set rulers over them to keep them as slaves. Wearing them down with hard labor and forcing them to build the cities of Pithom and Rameses as supply cities.
Exo 1:12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. The more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more the Israelites multiplied. (The Egyptians became more alarmed).
Exo 1:13 And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: The Egyptians had no mercy as they worked the people of Israel.
Exo 1:14 And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour. They made hard laborers out of them. (If you ever worked as a laborer in commercial construction as I did, you get an idea of what hard labor is).
Exo 1:15 And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: The king gives orders to the Hebrew midwives.
Exo 1:16 And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. Stools: Hebrew "oben" a pair of "stones." (Stone bath in which the children were bathed). The order was to kill any males that were born. (This was another assault of Satan, to destroy the male children, and so prevent "the seed of the woman" from coming into the world). However, God intervened by providing the Hebrew midwives, and preserving and preparing Moses.
Exo 1:17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. The midwives were chosen by God, feared Him, and refused to obey the king's order. (They allowed the boys to live).
Exo 1:18 And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive? The king was furious and asked them why they did not obey his order.
Exo 1:19 And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them. Did the Hebrew women have their babies more quickly, or did the midwives take their good old time to get their for the delivery?
Exo 1:20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. God was good to the midwives.
Exo 1:21 And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses. God gave the midwives families of their own. Why? Because they feared God more than Pharaoh.
Exo 1:22 And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive. Now Pharaoh understand that the midwives are not going to help him out. So, a new order is given to all his people. All the new born Hebrew boys are to be thrown into the river, but the girls may live.
Exodus 2
Exo 2:1 And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi. The mans name is "Amram," and the woman was Jochebed.
Exo 2:2 And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. The child was Moses, the seventh from Abraham, Abraham the seventh from Heber, Enoch the seventh from Adam. Miriam (Moses sister), already born. (Numbers 26:59). Jochebed hid Moses for three months because she knew he was a precious child. This was by faith. (Hebrews 11:23). "Divine intervention." She must have "heard" from God. (Romans 10:17, Hebrews 11:7). All the steps taken (Verses 2-4), were the result of believing what she had heard from God.
Exo 2:3 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. She made a floating waterproof basket from papyrus reeds and pitch. Made by the same Divine instruction as Noah's. (Romans 10:17).
Exo 2:4 And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him. Miriam was the older sister of Moses and she watched over him.
Exo 2:5 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. The Pharaoh's daughter discovered the basket on the river bank and sent her maid to get it for her.
Exo 2:6 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. The princess seen the baby boy crying and had compassion towards him. (Again, Divine intervention). This tear and compassion lay the defeat of the enemy, the preservation of the Nation, the faithfulness of Yahveh's Word, the bringing to naught "the wisdom of Egypt," and the coming of "the seed of the woman." (Genesis 3:15, Job 5:12-13).
Exo 2:7 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?
Exo 2:8 And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child's mother. Go find the baby's mother.
Exo 2:9 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. Jochebed took her baby home and nursed him.
Exo 2:10 And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water. Moses (drawn out), was raised in the court of Pharaoh and educated in the Egyptian schools. (Acts 7:21-22). "There is no record of Moses Hebrew name."
Exo 2:11 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. Many years later (Moses being around 40 at the time), he went out to visit his own people and seen them working hard and being abused. (Acts 7:23).
Exo 2:12 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. When no one could see him, Moses killed the Egyptian that was abusing one of his people and hid him in the sand. (Acts 7:24).
Exo 2:13 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? Two Hebrew men fighting with each other. Why are you fighting Moses asked the one who started the fight?
Exo 2:14 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. Ooops, this man had to shoot off his big mouth and get Moses in trouble. They didn't have a clue they messed up. (Acts 7:24-25).
Exo 2:15 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. Sure enough, Pharaoh heard what had happened and tried to kill Moses. However, Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in the land of Midian. After his escape, Moses sat down beside a well.
Exo 2:16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. Priest of Median: This was the chieftain (Jethro, called Reuel), who exercised priestly functions, as Job and Melchizedec. (Exodus 3:1, Genesis 14:18). Reuel's seven daughters came to draw from the well.
Exo 2:17 And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. Some shepherds came and chased them away form the well. But, Moses jumped up and rescued the girls from the shepherds, then drew the water for them.
Exo 2:18 And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day? Reuel (Hebrew = Friend of God). A true worshipper. (Exodus 18:12). Same as Raguel (Numbers 10:29). Again, also know as Jethro (meaning abundance). He wanted to know how they got back so soon?
Exo 2:19 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. An Egyptian saved us from the shepherds and watered our flocks.
Exo 2:20 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. Where is the man, invite him to dinner. (Reuel is probably thinking, I could use a man like this, and he could marry one of my daughters).
Exo 2:21 And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter. Moses accepted the invitation, and settled there with him. In time, Reuel gave Moses his daughter Zipporah to be his wife. (He gets the son-in-law he was hoping for).
Exo 2:22 And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land. Gershom = (a stranger here).
Exo 2:23 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. Years passed and the king died. However, the Israelites continued under their burden of slavery. They cried out for help, and their cry rose up to God. (Psalm 18:6, 81:6-7, 107:19-20).
Exo 2:24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God hears and He remembers. (Psalm 105:8, 105:42, 106:45, Luke 1:72-73).
Exo 2:25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them. God hears His people, has a plan, and knew it was time to act. (Psalm 55:22).
Exodus 3
Exo 3:1 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. Moses tending the flock for 40 years (Acts 7:30). One day he led the flock far into the wilderness and came to mount Sinai. (Where Moses will receive the ten commandments). Median: A descendant of Abraham, by Keturah. Moses was called in this land (Arabia); Mahomet also arose there. Horeb: Also know as mount Sinai. (Never use in New Testament). There "the wisdom of Egypt" had to be unlearned and God made known. (Isaiah 50:4).
Exo 3:2 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. The Angel of the Lord (messenger of Yahveh, believed to be the person of Jesus), appeared to Moses in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Same lesson as the "furnace" in Genesis. And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. (Genesis 15:17). Smoking furnace is symbolic of the affliction of Israel (Deuteronomy 4:20, 1 Kings 8:51, Isaiah 31:9, Ezekiel 22:18-22, Jeremiah 11:4). Burning lamp is symbolic of Israel's deliverance (1 Kings 11:36, 15:4, Isaiah 62:1, 2 Samuel 21:17).
Exo 3:3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. This really blew Moses mind. He sees this bush in a flaming blaze of fire, and the bush does not burn up. He needs to take a closer look!
Exo 3:4 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. The LORD saw Moses coming closer to look and called out to him from the center of the bush. Wow, now this really got Moses attention. "I think most people would have run the other way."
Exo 3:5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. Holy ground (qodesh adamah), "Sacred Earth" (as in Sanctuary). Put off thy shoes: Removing the sandals as possibly a sign of respect. (Nothing to come between Moses and the Holy Ground).
Exo 3:6 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. God: Elohim, the Creator. (Note the five fold repetition). Christ basis the doctrine of Resurrection on this verse. (Matthew 22:31-32).
Exo 3:7 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; God is aware of all our sufferings.
Exo 3:8 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. Come to deliver His people out of Egypt and into the promise land of milk and honey.
Exo 3:9 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. The cry of the people has reached God. He sees how the Egyptians abuse the Hebrews. (God will take notice when someone abuses you also). Don't worry, if your one of His believers and followers, He will take care of anyone who mistreats you! (Psalm 12:5, Proverbs 22:22-23).
Exo 3:10 Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt. Oh, No, Moses is probably thinking. "I am going to go back and face Pharaoh." Not only that, but I am to lead Gods people out of Egypt! How can this be? (Quite a task laid on Moses). But, don't forget who is in control.
Exo 3:11 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? Moses loses some confidence here. Forty years ago he would have been ready for anything, but now he is not so sure. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; (2 Corinthians 3:5). All our abilities and qualification come form God. When He says you can do it, listen to Him! Once Moses gets his confidence back from God, he will do what He asks.
Exo 3:12 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. The sign was given and God tells Moses He will be with him. No matter who you are, if God is with you, that is all that counts. Why do I say that? Because you don't need to be a teacher, pastor, priest, reverend, etc. to be useful to God. God chooses whom ever He wills. (Romans 8:31, Hebrews 13:5).
Exo 3:13 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? Who do I say you are and sent me to the people?
Exo 3:14 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. I AM THAT I AM: "ehyeh asher ehyh" I will be what I will be. I AM: "ehyh" I will be (speaking of Himself).
Exo 3:15 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. LORD: Yahveh, God of your ancestors. For ever: He never changes. (Malachi 3:6), He is therefore Israel's God to-day, as then.
Exo 3:16 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: Go to the elders and tell them I have been watching closely, and see how the Egyptians are treating you.
Exo 3:17 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. I have promised to rescue you from oppression in Egypt and will lead you to the land flowing of milk and honey.
Exo 3:18 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. The elders will accept your message. (Divine intervention). Take a "three-day" journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifice. Note: Three denotes completeness.
Exo 3:19 And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand. The king is going to need a little persuasion.
Exo 3:20 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. The Egyptians are about to see some real miracles, ones they won't like.
Exo 3:21 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: I will cause them to look favorably on you. They will give you gifts, and you will not leave empty handed. (Psalm 106:46, Proverbs 16:7).
Exo 3:22 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. Looking good for the Israelite woman and children, but not so good for the Egyptians and their wealth. "Their about to be stripped down."
Exodus 4
Exo 4:1 And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee. Is Moses lacking a little faith here? Is he a little scared to return to Egypt? I believe he is more concerned about the people thinking he is a little crazy about talking to God.
Exo 4:2 And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. This staff was the tool for Moses as a shepherd in the past forty years. Now it will be part of his new job for the next 40 years. What tools do you use for work in your life? God gives us all talents that He wants us to use. So, if He calls on you to change your occupation, you may want to listen.
Exo 4:3 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. Moses was afraid because it was a real snake. He didn't do it, God did. Just as Satan imitates this work and turns the magician's rods into snakes in front of Pharaoh. (Exodus 7:10-15).
Exo 4:4 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: Now this takes a little faith on Moses part. No one wants to grab a live snake without the proper tools or experience. Especially by the tail. "This is a good way to get bit."
Exo 4:5 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. Perform this sign in front of the people and they will believe that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, really has appeared to you.
Exo 4:6 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. Turned his hand to be leprous as snow. (Considered to be a incurable disease).
Exo 4:7 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. Thy bosom: "Heart, or close to the heart." Turned it back to normal again. (Symbolic of how God can deal with the most incurable physical problems as well as of the heart).
Exo 4:8 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. If they don't believe the first sign, they will be convinced by the second. Will they? (John 12:37), they didn't believe Jesus.
Exo 4:9 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. If they don't believe the first two miracles, take some water from the Nile River and pour it on the ground. "It will turn to blood." Wow! The Nile River was considered the source of life and productivity for the Egyptians. Now Moses and Aaron (with the power of God), will turn the waters of Egypt into blood.
Exo 4:10 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. Moses was not real good at speaking (like his brother Aaron), even though he grew up with all the wisdom of the Egyptians. Kind of like the apostle Paul. But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things. (2 Corinthians 11:6). Paul is saying that he may be unskilled as a speaker, but he is not lacking in knowledge. You don't need to be a "smooth speaker" to be knowledgeable in the Word of God. If you don't want to be a speaker of the Word, you can write about it and get the same results. "Like here at the Good News Ministry." (Ephesians 3:4). "However, sometimes we can be better speakers when the Holy Spirit is present."
Exo 4:11 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? When God wants you to speak, He will put the right words in your mouth. (Psalm 51:15, Jeremiah 1:9).
Exo 4:12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. God will give you the right words at the right time through the Holy Spirit. Just as it will be in the end time when the elect are delivered up before anti-Christ. (Matthew 10:19-20, Mark 13:11, Luke 12:11-12, John 14:26).
Exo 4:13 And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. Moses pleads to God again not to send him, but anyone else.
Exo 4:14 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. God is not to pleased with Moses at this point, but agrees to send someone else with him. "His brother Aaron."
Exo 4:15 And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. God is always in control.
Exo 4:16 And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God. You tell Aaron what to say and he will be your spokesman. (A three way relationship if you will). God speaks to Moses, Moses speaks to Aaron, and Aaron speaks to Pharaoh.
Exo 4:17 And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs. Take the shepherd's staff with you. (Moses power will come from God through the shepherd's staff).
Exo 4:18 And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace. Moses wanting to return to Egypt because of instruction from God. Out of respect he asked Jethro for permission, and he tells him to go in peace.
Exo 4:19 And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life. No more threat from the enemy, Moses outlived them all. Not only Pharaoh, but all the court faction. Are dead: The counterpart to (Matthew 2:15, 2:20).
Exo 4:20 And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand. Moses sets out to Egypt with his wife and sons and the "rod of God." Sound familiar? And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (Revelation 19:15). His mouth is a two edge sword. (Revelation 1:16), Striking down the nations with power and He will rule them with an iron grip. This wrath is only against His enemies, not His people.
Exo 4:21 And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go. Pharaoh hardens his heart to the point of no return with the help of God. i.e. if you keep rejecting the truth of Gods Word and continue to believe false teachings and traditions of men, God will harden your heart to the truth. (John 12:40, Romans 11:8-10, 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12).
Exo 4:22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: My son: (Matthew 2:15).
Exo 4:23 And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn. Pharaoh warned about his son in advance.
Exo 4:24 And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. The account in this and the two following verses, although rather obscure, seems to imply, that on their way to the land of Egypt, an angel appeared to Moses, and sought to kill his son, on account of his father's non-observance of the Lord's positive command to Abraham, that every man child of the Jewish nation, or born in his house in servitude, should be circumcised on the eighth day; and the Zipporah, at the command of Moses, immediately fulfilled the injunction, and thus averted the wrath of God, denounced against the disobedient: "The uncircumcised man child, whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people." (Genesis 17:14).
Exo 4:25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. Bloody husband: i.e. with rites of blood; alluding to circumcision, which she had tried to evade and avoid.
Exo 4:26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision. The circumcision was done and the LORD left him alone.
Exo 4:27 And the LORD said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him. Aaron goes into the wilderness to meet Moses and they embrace.
Exo 4:28 And Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD who had sent him, and all the signs which he had commanded him. Moses fills Aaron in on all what the Lord wants him to do.
Exo 4:29 And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel: Back in Egypt, they call the elders together for a meeting.
Exo 4:30 And Aaron spake all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people. They seen the proof.
Exo 4:31 And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped. The people are now convinced that the LORD had sent Moses and Aaron. Now they are encouraged that the LORD (Yahveh), is going to help them.
Exodus 5
Exo 5:1 And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. This was in "The field of Zoan." (Psalm 78:12, 78:43), where Pharaoh had made his palace.
Exo 5:2 And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go. Pharaoh does not recognize the God of Moses. He was considered a god himself.
Exo 5:3 And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days' journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword. They don't just want three days off, they want a three day journey away from Egypt (the ways of the Egyptians), so they can worship God.
Exo 5:4 And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens. Quit distracting the people from their work Pharaoh replied.
Exo 5:5 And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens. You are stopping all these people in the land from working.
Exo 5:6 And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying, Sent a message to the Egyptian slave drivers and the Israelite foremen.
Exo 5:7 Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves. Don't supply the straw, make them gather it themselves. The straw was mixed with clay, in order to make the bricks. Some were to work in the clay, and others were to gather straw for the formation of the bricks. The straw was mixed with the clay and mud, kneaded together, and afterwards, baked in the sun.
Exo 5:8 And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God. More work, same quota. (More work so they would not have time for anything else).
Exo 5:9 Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words. Pile on the work and make them sweat to teach them a lesson.
Exo 5:10 And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spake to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw. No more supply of straw for the workers.
Exo 5:11 Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished. Go and find the straw yourselves, but keep up the quota.
Exo 5:12 So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw. Found stubble to use as straw.
Exo 5:13 And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw. Again, you must keep the same quota.
Exo 5:14 And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day, as heretofore? When their quota was not met, they whipped the Israelite foremen.
Exo 5:15 Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants? Give us a break they said, don't treat your servants like this.
Exo 5:16 There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine own people. It is not our fault. They don't give us straw anymore but still want the same amount of bricks.
Exo 5:17 But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD. Lazy, Lazy, Lazy. The Pharaoh thinks they have to much time on their hands because of what Moses asked. (Request to worship God).
Exo 5:18 Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks. Get back to work and my command of no straw stands. With the same quota!
Exo 5:19 And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in evil case, after it was said, Ye shall not minish ought from your bricks of your daily task. Things are going to get worse from here on in.
Exo 5:20 And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh: Now the foreman are going to complain to Moses and Aaron.
Exo 5:21 And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us. Now they are blaming Moses and Aaron for their treatment. They seem to have forgotten that they were the ones who asked to be delivered. (Exodus 2:23). "God responded by sending Moses." (Little lack of faith here on their part).
Exo 5:22 And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me? Now Moses goes and complains to God.
Exo 5:23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all. Ever since I came to Pharaoh as your spokesman, he has become more brutal to your people. When will you rescue them? Remember, God said he would harden Pharaoh's heart against the people. He also promised that He would deliver His people. God will always finish what He started. (Philippians 1:6, Hebrews 10:36).
Exodus 6
Exo 6:1 Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land. God in control and will execute a strong hand towards Pharaoh. (Psalm 12:5, 89:13).
Exo 6:2 And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD: God spake: Only occurs twice in Exodus. Here and Exodus 20:1.
Exo 6:3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them. "I appeared unto Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, by the name of God Almighty (El Shaddai), and by my name Jehovah was I not also made known unto them?" Yahveh: (Genesis 22:14).
Exo 6:4 And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers. God reaffirmed His covenant with them.
Exo 6:5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant. God remembers His covenant. All Israel's blessings based on this. (Exodus 2:24).
Exo 6:6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: God will redeem His people with great acts of judgment.
Exo 6:7 And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. The promise to claim Israel as His own people. "All His people, Jew or gentile alike." (Revelation 21:3, 21:7).
Exo 6:8 And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the LORD. lift up my hand, The ancient mode of appealing to God was by lifting up the right hand, and was considered as a form of swearing. (We swear to God with our hand on the bible today).
Exo 6:9 And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage. Moses was speaking, but the people were not listening to the message.
Exo 6:10 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Exo 6:11 Go in, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land.
Exo 6:12 And Moses spake before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips? Moses knows he has to go toe to toe with Pharaoh but seems a bit reluctant. He is using that clumsy speaker excuse again. Thinking Pharaoh will not listen to him.
Exo 6:13 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, and gave them a charge unto the children of Israel, and unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt. God gives Moses and Aaron the orders to go forward. Listen to God when He speaks to you and He will lead you out of bondage. Bondage from what? Well, not from the oppression of Egypt. But, He will lead you to the truth and out of the hands of tradition and false teachings.
Exo 6:14 These be the heads of their fathers' houses: The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel; Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi: these be the families of Reuben. Verses 14-25 will deal with the genealogy of Moses.
Exo 6:15 And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman: these are the families of Simeon.
Exo 6:16 And these are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari: and the years of the life of Levi were an hundred thirty and seven years. Levi died 23 years after Joseph, and 41 years before Moses.
Exo 6:17 The sons of Gershon; Libni, and Shimi, according to their families.
Exo 6:18 And the sons of Kohath; Amram, and Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel: and the years of the life of Kohath were an hundred thirty and three years.
Exo 6:19 And the sons of Merari; Mahali and Mushi: these are the families of Levi according to their generations.
Exo 6:20 And Amram took him Jochebed his father's sister to wife; and she bare him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram were an hundred and thirty and seven years.
Exo 6:21 And the sons of Izhar; Korah, and Nepheg, and Zichri.
Exo 6:22 And the sons of Uzziel; Mishael, and Elzaphan, and Zithri.
Exo 6:23 And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
Exo 6:24 And the sons of Korah; Assir, and Elkanah, and Abiasaph: these are the families of the Korhites. Elkanah: The ancestor of Samuel. (Samuel 1:1-24, Numbers 26:11).
Exo 6:25 And Eleazar Aaron's son took him one of the daughters of Putiel to wife; and she bare him Phinehas: these are the heads of the fathers of the Levites according to their families.
Exo 6:26 These are that Aaron and Moses, to whom the LORD said, Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies. The order according to age and genealogy.
Exo 6:27 These are they which spake to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt: these are that Moses and Aaron. The order according to God's choice.
Exo 6:28 And it came to pass on the day when the LORD spake unto Moses in the land of Egypt,
Exo 6:29 That the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, I am the LORD: speak thou unto Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say unto thee.
Exo 6:30 And Moses said before the LORD, Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me? Moses copping out again about his speaking to Pharaoh. Do you struggle with how God may want to use you? Let God speak and listen! You will be surprised what He can do with you. We will see how God responds to Moses in the next chapter.
Exodus 7
Exo 7:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. in God's stead: Elohim = one appointed by oath. Elohim used of those so given and appointed. (Psalm 82:1, 82:6, John 10:34, 10:35).
Exo 7:2 Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land. God often uses prophets and representatives to speak to people. God would command Moses, and instead of Moses speaking to Pharaoh, he would use Aaron to do his speaking.
Exo 7:3 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt. It appears that the Egyptian people are going to suffer as the Israelites have been suffering because of the Pharaoh's stubborn heart.
Exo 7:4 But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. God is going to harden Pharaoh's heart so He can demonstrate His awesome power over the Egyptians gods. (Exodus 12:12).
Exo 7:5 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them. Shall know: i.e. by great experience. The object of all the ten plagues; as it will be in the coming day of judgment of the end times (Revelation 16:5-7), in the Apocalypse.
Exo 7:6 And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them, so did they.
Exo 7:7 And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh. Moses was 80 years old and Aaron was 83 years old. What a mission for a couple of old guys.
Exo 7:8 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
Exo 7:9 When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent. Serpant: Hebrew H8577 "tanniyn" same as H8565 "tan" a land monster, sea serpent, Jackal, dragon, or a crocodile. Remember earlier, when the rod of Moses became a serpent. The word serpent in (Exodus 4:2-3) was different. Hebrew H5175 "nachash" a snake.
Exo 7:10 And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. Moses and Aaron did what the Lord had commanded in front of Pharaoh, but it did not seem to impress Pharaoh.
Exo 7:11 Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. Pharaoh calls his wise men and magicians and they bring the "sacred scribes of Egypt" with them. (Contained their secret arts). Two of the magicians names were Jannes and Jambres. (2 Timothy 3:8).
Exo 7:12 For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods. The magicians cast down their rods and they became snakes. But, when Aaron cast down his rod, it consumed the snakes. (First blow on the gods of Egypt). So, how did the magicians perform their magic. Remember that Satan has power also. "The prince of the power of the air." We will see ourselves that when anti-Christ returns, he will perform miracles. (2 Thessalonians 2:9, Revelation 13:13).
Exo 7:13 And he hardened Pharaoh's heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said. Again, not to impressive to Pharaoh and he hardened his heart.
Exo 7:14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh's heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go. Because Pharaoh refused to let the people go, now begins the nine plagues. Note: The number nine is connected with judgment (see appendix 10).
Exo 7:15 Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river's brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand.
Exo 7:16 And thou shalt say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear.
Exo 7:17 Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood. Parallel of the third sign Moses was to give to the Israelites. (Exodus 4:9).
Exo 7:18 And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river. Many try to explain this as a natural phenomena caused by red silting dirt in the water. However, this would not result in the death of the fish in the Nile. (This was divine intervention caused by God).
Exo 7:19 And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone. This turned all the water in Egypt to blood. (Even the stored water).
Exo 7:20 And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. The Nile was an object of worship to the Egyptians, which was now polluted, and became a means of pollution to the people.
Exo 7:21 And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt. Blood throughout the land of Egypt. Hmmm, I find it interesting that the first miracle of Christ turned water into fine wine, while the first plague upon Egypt turned all their water into blood.
Exo 7:22 And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said. Again the magicians used their enchantments (so there was magic in the land), and turned water into blood. Perhaps "Semjaza" taught them enchantments. (Book of Enoch 1:8).
Exo 7:23 And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also. Again, Pharaoh not so impressed and a hardened heart, returned to his palace to put the whole thing out of his mind.
Exo 7:24 And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river. Digging wells for fresh water to drink.
Exo 7:25 And seven days were fulfilled, after that the LORD had smitten the river. It could have been seven days till the blood of the Nile turned back to water, or seven days till the next time God speaks to Moses.
Exodus 8
Exo 8:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me. The message to Pharaoh again. LET MY PEOPLE GO...
Exo 8:2 And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs: Frogs were worshipped as a symbol of fecundity. (Productive or creative power).
Exo 8:3 And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into thine house, and into thy bedchamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneadingtroughs: The frogs will cover the land, their houses, and even jump into the ovens and kneading bowls.
Exo 8:4 And the frogs shall come up both on thee, and upon thy people, and upon all thy servants. Jumping on all the people and officials. (I wonder if that is where the game "leap-frog" came from)?
Exo 8:5 And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt. God tells Moses and he tells Aaron, "Raise the staff in your hand over the rivers, canals, and ponds."
Exo 8:6 And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt. Here comes the frogs... It must have looked like the "sea of green" with all these frogs jumping around. What a mess! The worse part is that they could not even kill them, because it was probably illegal to kill a frog. One of the Egyptian goddesses that they worshipped was "Heket" who was a fertility god. "She had the head of a frog."
Exo 8:7 And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt. Nothing to the magicians, they were able to cause frogs to come up on the land also. But, who was really behind their powers?
Exo 8:8 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD. Sounds like Pharaoh is giving in a little. He begs Moses and Aaron to plead with the Lord to take the frogs away. Not only that, but he agrees to let the people go.
Exo 8:9 And Moses said unto Pharaoh, Glory over me: when shall I intreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy people, to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses, that they may remain in the river only? Moses tells Pharaoh to set the time! He gives the Pharaoh respect and honor by letting him make the decision.
Exo 8:10 And he said, To morrow. And he said, Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is none like unto the LORD our God. Tomorrow, the Pharaoh said! Moses replies, "it will be as you have said." Why did Moses let Pharaoh decide on when the frogs should leave the land? So that he knows that there is no trickery involved. Then he will know that the Lord was the one at work.
Exo 8:11 And the frogs shall depart from thee, and from thy houses, and from thy servants, and from thy people; they shall remain in the river only. The frogs will be gone except for in the Nile.
Exo 8:12 And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh: and Moses cried unto the LORD because of the frogs which he had brought against Pharaoh.
Exo 8:13 And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the villages, and out of the fields. The Lord did what Moses predicted. (God in control).
Exo 8:14 And they gathered them together upon heaps: and the land stank. Heaps of dead frogs stunk up the land.
Exo 8:15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said. Pharaoh saw relief coming and thought everything would be alright now so he hardened his heart again. "Just as the Lord had predicted." At times we can all be quite stubborn when things go wrong in our life. We might be down on our luck for not living as we should, we ask God for help and He gives it. Then we go back to our old ways. I guess most worldly people will not change till they hit rock bottom. Sometimes they will still not learn and are taken out of the equation.
Exo 8:16 And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt. Lice: Mosquito-gnats. Note that this is the third plague (like the sixth and the ninth), falls without warning.
Exo 8:17 And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. In the dust of the land there came to be. (Psalm 105:31).
Exo 8:18 And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast. They could not: Wow, the magicians could not pull this one off. Not because a question of life, for the frogs had life. God suffered them to do so in the former cases to show the limits of their power; by contrast, to show that His power was unlimited. (You will find out in life that God can limit men, or even change the minds and actions of men to benefit others).
Exo 8:19 Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said. The power of God! Amazing what God can do with His finger. He will give Moses the ten commandments. (Exodus 31:18). He would put the stars into existence. (Psalm 8:3). He would cast out devils. (Luke 11:20). Jesus wrote on the ground and exposed the accusers. (John 8:6-8).
Exo 8:20 And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
Exo 8:21 Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are. Swarms of flies: Possibly the dog-fly, which would have been particularly hateful to the Egyptians, because they held dogs in the highest veneration, under which form they worshipped the god Anubis. (Psalm 78:45).
Exo 8:22 And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth. Goshen would be the land in northern Egypt where the Israelites live. (Psalm 110:2). Goshen would be spared from the plague.
Exo 8:23 And I will put a division between my people and thy people: to morrow shall this sign be. A clear division between those who are the Lord's people and those who are not.
Exo 8:24 And the LORD did so; and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants' houses, and into all the land of Egypt: the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm of flies. The land was corrupted: How intolerable a plague of flies can prove, is evident from the fact that whole districts have been laid waste by them. The inhabitants have been forced to quit their cities, not being able to stand against the flies and gnats with which they were pestered. Hence different people had deities whose office it was to defend them against flies. Among these may be reckoned Baalzebub, the fly-god of Ekron; Hercules, muscarum abactor, Hercules the expeller of flies; and hence Jupiter had the titles of απομυιος, μυιαγρος, μυιοχορος, because he was supposed to expel flies, and especially clear his temples of these insects.
Exo 8:25 And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land. It seems that Pharaoh is going to give in a little. Notice that he says let the people go and worship, but do it in this land. What will Moses say?
Exo 8:26 And Moses said, It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God: lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us? Moses knew that the Egyptians would detest the sacrifices that they would offer to the Lord. Example: One of the sacrificial animals would be sheep and the Egyptians didn't like sheep. They considered shepherd's to be horrible people. On the other hand, Egyptians worshipped cows. Two of their gods Hathor and Apis resembled the head of a cow or bull.
Exo 8:27 We will go three days' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the LORD our God, as he shall command us. Three day trip into the wilderness as our God commanded. (Listen to God not man).
Exo 8:28 And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: intreat for me. Pharaoh agrees, but still wants them to stay close by. (Pharaoh's objection to Yahveh's third demand).
Exo 8:29 And Moses said, Behold, I go out from thee, and I will intreat the LORD that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, to morrow: but let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD. Mosses gives Pharaoh a little warning not to play games anymore with the people of Israel and refuse to let them go and sacrifice to the Lord. i.e. Do not deceive us again. (Galatians 6:7).
Exo 8:30 And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD.
Exo 8:31 And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; there remained not one. Moses and God kept their end of the bargain, but Pharaoh did not.
Exo 8:32 And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go. Once again Pharaoh became stubborn and refused to let the people go. Pharaoh kind of reminds me of many people today. When things are down they seek and call on God. When things are better again, they put God on the back burner.
Exodus 9
Exo 9:1 Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. Back to Pharaoh again.
Exo 9:2 For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still, If you continue to hold them captive.
Exo 9:3 Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain. The fifth plague was aimed at all kinds of animal worship. The cattle were in the field in the spring and early summer. Murrian: H1698 "deber" a pestilence, plague. We may observe a particular scope and meaning in this calamity, if we consider it in regard to the Egyptians, which would not have existed in respect to any other people. They held in idolatrous reverence almost every animal, but some they held in particular veneration; as the ox, cow, and ram. Among these, Apis and Mnevis are well known; the former being a sacred bull, worshipped at Memphis, as the latter was at Heliopolis. A cow or heifer had the like honours at Momemphis; and the same practice seems to have been adopted in most of the Egyptian nomes. By the infliction of this judgment, the Egyptian deities sank before the God of the Hebrews.
Exo 9:4 And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children's of Israel. No problems for the Israelites and their animals. Not one would die.
Exo 9:5 And the LORD appointed a set time, saying, To morrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land. Talk about a bad day coming for the Egyptians.
Exo 9:6 And the LORD did that thing on the morrow, and all the cattle of Egypt died: but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one. The Egyptians livestock "in the field" died, but not one of the Israelites animals. Egyptian cattle back in the pens may have not been killed at this time. (We will see other cattle of the Egyptians affected by the seventh plague).
Exo 9:7 And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go. Stubborn Pharaoh still refuses to let the people go. "God must have gave him a heart of stone." (Romans 9:18).
Exo 9:8 And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh. This was a significant command; not only referring to the fiery furnace, which was a type of the slavery of the Israelites, but to a cruel rite common among the Egyptians. They had several cities styled Typhonian, in which at particular seasons they sacrificed men, who were burnt alive; and the ashes of the victim were scattered upwards in the air, with the view, probably, that where any atom of dust was carried, a blessing was entailed. The like, therefore, was done by Moses, though with a different intention, and more certain effect.
Exo 9:9 And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt. Festering boils are about to break out on the people and animals throughout the land. The same happened to Job, only he was struck by Satan. (Job 2:7).
Exo 9:10 And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast. Ashes from the furnace: i.e. one of the alters on which human sacrifices were sometimes offered to propitiate their god "Typhon" (i.e. the Evil Principle). These were doubtless being offered to avert the plagues, and Moses, using the ashes in the same way, produced another plague instead of averting it.
Exo 9:11 And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians. The magicians were worthless now. The boils broke out on them as well as all of Egypt.
Exo 9:12 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses. Pharaoh refusing again! Hardness of heart is a figurative expression, denoting that insensibility of mind upon which neither judgments nor mercies make any abiding impressions; but the conscience being stupefied, the obdurate rebel persists in determined disobedience.
Exo 9:13 And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
Exo 9:14 For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth. God wants Pharaoh to realize that his gods are worthless and there is no other god like Him. (Exodus 8:10).
Exo 9:15 For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth. God could have wiped them off the earth by now.
Exo 9:16 And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth. God had spared Pharaoh for a purpose. To show him who was in control. (Psalm 64:9, 83:17-18).
Exo 9:17 As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?
Exo 9:18 Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now. This plague was directed against their god "Isis and Osiris." This must have been a circumstance of all others the most incredible to an Egyptian; for in Egypt there fell no rain, the want of which was supplied by dews, and the overflowing of the Nile. The Egyptians must, therefore, have perceived themselves particularly aimed at in these fearful events, especially as they were very superstitious. There seems likewise a propriety in their being punished by fire and water, as they were guilty of the grossest idolatry towards these elements. Scarcely anything could have distressed the Egyptians more than the destruction of the flax, as the whole nation wore linen garments. The ruin of their barley was equally fatal, both to their trade and to their private advantage.
Exo 9:19 Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die. This was probably the livestock that was kept in the pens.
Exo 9:20 He that feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses:
Exo 9:21 And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field. Some did not pay attention and left their livestock out in the open.
Exo 9:22 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt. Going to rain down hail on the people, livestock, and plants. Kind of reminds us what is in store in the end times. (Revelation 16:21).
Exo 9:23 And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt. Thunder, hail, and lightning.
Exo 9:24 So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. One hell of a storm.
Exo 9:25 And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field. Destroyed everything in it's path. (Psalm 105:33).
Exo 9:26 Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail. Nice and sunny in Goshen, where the people of Israel lived. (Isaiah 32:18-19).
Exo 9:27 And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. Pharaoh finally confessed that he had sinned, he and his people were wrong, and The Lord is the righteous One. Talk about a 180° turn around. (But, we will see that talk is cheap).
Exo 9:28 Intreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer. "Coping another plea here."
Exo 9:29 And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD'S.
Exo 9:30 But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God. Moses knew that they still did not fear the Lord.
Exo 9:31 And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled. Destroyed because they were in budding and close to harvest.
Exo 9:32 But the wheat and the rie were not smitten: for they were not grown up. Wheat and spelt were not affected because they had not sprouted yet.
Exo 9:33 And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth. Rain and hail ceased by the hand of Moses, but by the power of God.
Exo 9:34 And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants. Right back to their old ways. (Romans 2:4-5).
Exo 9:35 And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses. A hard heart will lead to trouble times! What about you my friend? What will you do when things get tough? Will you listen to God, or harden your heart like Pharaoh?
Exodus 10
Exo 10:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him: Pharaoh hardened his heart many times, but now God will continue to keep it hard to show His miraculous signs among the people of Egypt. The eighth plague was directed against the god "Serapis" who was supposed to protect the land from locust. (God will show His might against all the gods of Egypt).
Exo 10:2 And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the LORD. God is making a mockery against the gods and people of Egypt.
Exo 10:3 And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me. Pharaoh was to proud to humble himself before God. (Proverbs 16:18). If Pharaoh would just humble himself before God, things would get a lot better for the people of Egypt. (James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:6). God can change a man if he humbles himself and allows Him. However, a man may be humbled without humbling himself. "God creates out of nothing. Therefore, until a man is nothing, God can make nothing out of him." (Martin Luther).
Exo 10:4 Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast: Locust upon the land. (Joel 2:1-10, Revelation 9:3-11). Should refresh our minds of the locust army of the end times. locusts: The word arbeh, Locust, is derived from ravah, to multiply, be numerous, etc., because they are more prolific than any other insect, and because of the immense swarms of them by which different countries, especially the East, are infested. The locust, in entomology, belongs to a genus of insects known among naturalists by the name of Grylli; which includes three species, crickets, grasshoppers, and locusts. The common great brown locust is about three inches in length; has two antennae about an inch long, and two pair of wings. The head and horns are brown; the mouth and inside of the larger legs bluish; the upper side of the body and upper wings brown, the former spotted with black, and the latter with dusky spots. The back is defended by a shield of a greenish hue. The under wings are of a light brown, tinctured with green, and nearly transparent. It has a large open mouth, in the two jaws of which it has four teeth, which traverse each other like scissors, being calculated, from their mechanism, to gripe or cut. The general appearance of the insect is that of the grasshopper. The Egyptians had gods in whom they trusted to deliver them from these terrible invaders; but by this judgment they were taught that it was impossible to stand before Moses, the servant of the Yahveh.
Exo 10:5 And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to see the earth: and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field: Devour everything in their path.
Exo 10:6 And they shall fill thy houses, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians; which neither thy fathers, nor thy fathers' fathers have seen, since the day that they were upon the earth unto this day. And he turned himself, and went out from Pharaoh. No plague in the history of Egypt will be like this one.
Exo 10:7 And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed? Kind of a compromise being brought to Pharaoh by his own officials. Their suggestion... Lets just let the men go and worship their God.
Exo 10:8 And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the LORD your God: but who are they that shall go? Pharaoh's answer to Yahveh is a question. Who shall go?
Exo 10:9 And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD. Moses says that we all must go and worship the Lord. Men, women, children, and livestock must all join together. This will not sit well with Pharaoh. He thinks they will pack up and leave if he allows them all to go, never to return.
Exo 10:10 And he said unto them, Let the LORD be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for evil is before you. Pharaoh gets a sense that he is right, and he can see what they are planning. i.e. It's not going to happen.
Exo 10:11 Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence. No way I am going to let you all go! The men only may go and worship.
Exo 10:12 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left. The locust will finish off what the hailstorm left behind.
Exo 10:13 And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. Here comes the locust out of the east wind. God has full control over nature. (Matthew 8:27).
Exo 10:14 And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such.
Exo 10:15 For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt. The whole land of Egypt was stripped clean. (Psalm 105:34-35).
Exo 10:16 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you. Pharaoh copping a plea again.
Exo 10:17 Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only. Begging for forgiveness.
Exo 10:18 And he went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD. Moses pleaded with the Lord to stop the locust.
Exo 10:19 And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt. God shifted the wind and blew the locust into the red sea. (Matthew 8:27).
Exo 10:20 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.
Exo 10:21 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. First of the four instances of darkness in judgment. (Exodus 10:22, Matthew 27:45, Jude 13, Revelation 16:10).
Exo 10:22 And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: darkness: As the Egyptians not only worshipped the light and sun, but also paid the same veneration to night and darkness, nothing could be more terrible than this punishment of palpable and coercive darkness, such as their luminary Osiris could not dispel.
Exo 10:23 They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings. The Egyptians had no light at all, but the people of Israel had light where they lived. (Divine intervention by God). Example for us today that so many are not in the light. How many people do you know that are walking in spiritual darkness? Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. The Lord has rescued us from the darkness of Satan's kingdom, and brought us into the Kingdom of His Son Jesus Christ; "Who Is The Light."
Exo 10:24 And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you. Boy, this Pharaoh is quite a salesmen. You may go, but the livestock remains. And the bargaining continues.
Exo 10:25 And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God. "No way," Moses says. We must be provided with animals for sacrifice.
Exo 10:26 Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God; and we know not with what we must serve the LORD, until we come thither. All the animals must go with us.
Exo 10:27 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go.
Exo 10:28 And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die. Now the Pharaoh is getting a little nervous and ticked off. He threatens Moses with his life.
Exo 10:29 And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more. O.K. "have it your way." (not like the burger king commercial). Moses tells Pharaoh, "I will never see your face again." Moses did not leave Pharaoh for the last time till Exodus 11:8. So, this is a figure of speech. Prolepsis (Occupatio); or, Anticipation. Answering an argument by anticipating it before it is used. (See appendix 6). We will have one last plague before Pharaoh finally lets the people go.
Exodus 11
Exo 11:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence: when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether. One final blow from God and Pharaoh will be eager to let the people go.
Exo 11:2 Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.
Exo 11:3 And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people. The common people of Egypt had come to respect Moses and took him seriously.
Exo 11:4 And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:
Exo 11:5 And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts. God warned Pharaoh about this in (Exodus 4:22-23). Let Israel go or I will kill your son.
Exo 11:6 And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more. Talk about the loss of a child. Now every family in Egypt is going to lose a child. Not only the people, but the livestock as well.
Exo 11:7 But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel. It will be so peaceful among the Israelites, that not even a dog will bark. Then you will know that the Lord makes a distinction between the Egyptians and the Israelites. (Malachi 3:18), between him that serves God and him that does not.
Exo 11:8 And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in a great anger. The Egyptian people will bow to Moses and beg the Israelites to go.
Exo 11:9 And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.
Exo 11:10 And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land. Up to this point, Moses and Aaron performed these miracles in Pharaoh's presence, but the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart. There is no reason to believe that this will be any different. But we will see... In the next chapter we will describe the Passover.
Exodus 12
Exo 12:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, Instructions from the Lord.
Exo 12:2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. First month of the Jewish calendar called "Abib or Nisan." (Leviticus 23:5).
Exo 12:3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: An house: The Israelites were divided into twelve tribes, these tribes into families, the families into houses, and the houses into particular persons. (Joshua 7:14).
Exo 12:4 And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. If the family is to small to eat the whole lamb, let them share with another family. (Nothing gone to waste).
Exo 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: Your best perfect animal without blemish. Even as "Christ our Passover." Christ became our Passover and He was without blemish and perfect in every way. (1 Corinthians 5:7-8, 1 Peter 1:19).
Exo 12:6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. In the evening: Between the two evenings, The Jews divided the day into morning and evening. Till the sun passed the meridian, all was morning or forenoon; after that, all was evening or afternoon. Their first evening began just after twelve o'clock, and continued till sunset; their second evening began at sunset, and continued till night, i.e., during the whole time of twilight; between twelve o'clock, therefore, and the termination of twilight, the Passover was to be offered. (Matthew 27:46-50).
Exo 12:7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. The blood was to be spread on the door frame of every house.
Exo 12:8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Just as our Passover communion contains symbolism. "The bread symbolic of the body of Christ, and the wine symbolic of the blood of Christ." The Jewish Passover has symbolic elements also. Unleavened bread: Symbolic of a pure life without "leaven" or "sin." (1 Corinthians 5:8). Bitter herbs: To remind the people of their past sins and oppression. "The bitter life that was in Egypt." (Numbers 9:11, Zechariah 12:10).
Exo 12:9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. The whole animal was to be roasted over the fire. (Judged and cleansed by fire).
Exo 12:10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. Eat it all and leave nothing for the next morning. Burn whatever is left over. End of the sacrifice; "it was accomplished." When Jesus died on the cross for our sins He did it "once and for all." He would say before dying on the cross and giving up the Spirit, "It Is Finished." After His death, He was removed from the cross. He did not remain of the cross overnight or forever. That is why a cross (crucifix), should not have Jesus still hanging on it. It only makes you think that Jesus is still on the cross.
Exo 12:11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S passover. Loins girded: i.e. the loose flowing garments fastened up with a belt or girdle, making the men ready for action. (1 Kings 18:46, Luke 12:35, 17:8, Acts 12:8, Ephesians 6:14).
Exo 12:12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. Judgment against the gods (or princes), of Egypt. Pharaoh was considered a god to the Egyptians. "Min" god of procreation, "Isis" god of reproduction, "Hathor" attended the birth of children, "Apis" firstborn bull.
Exo 12:13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. This is where the holiday "Passover" comes from. God had "passed-over" the Israelites. The blood was the token for Yahveh. Faith in the fact that it had been sprinkled gave peace to all within. It was (and is) not the "act" of faith which secured, but the "truth" that was believed. If no blood, belief that it was there gave no security. If blood there, doubt as to the fact would destroy peace, but could not destroy the security, because that was grounded on Yahveh's word, and faith consists in "hearing" that. (Romans 10:17, Hebrews 11:1).
Exo 12:14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever. A day to remember each year from generation to generation. Jesus gave us the proper "ritual of communion" at the last supper, the Passover meal. His request... "DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME." (Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Jesus only asked and required us to take communion once a year at the Passover in His remembrance. The bread being symbolic of His body, and the wine being symbolic of His blood that was shed for us all. Some take communion at Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of trumpets, which was probably done by the apostles. Others take communion once a week or more. (This is between you and the Heavenly Father). Note: A priest has no special powers of (transubstantiation), over taking or giving communion like some denominations want you to believe. Any Christian can receive or give communion to another with the same symbolic results. Do not be deceived!
Exo 12:15 Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel. In the scriptures, leaven is seen as a picture of sin. (1 Corinthians 5:7-8).
Exo 12:16 And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you. Holy convocation: Assembly of the people.
Exo 12:17 And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever.
Exo 12:18 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even.
Exo 12:19 Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land.
Exo 12:20 Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread.
Exo 12:21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. Slaughter the Passover animal.
Exo 12:22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. Hyssop: It has bushy stalks, growing a foot and a half high; small spear-shaped, close-sitting, and opposite leaves, with several smaller ones rising from the same joint; and all the stalks and branches terminated by erect whorled spikes of flowers, of different colors in the varieties of the plant. The leaves have an aromatic smell, and a warm, pungent taste. Its detersive, cleansing, and medicinal qualities were probably the reason why it was so particularly recommended in Scripture.
Exo 12:23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.
Exo 12:24 And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.
Exo 12:25 And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.
Exo 12:26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?
Exo 12:27 That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD'S passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.
Exo 12:28 And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.
Exo 12:29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. First born sons of Egypt, as well as the firstborn of their livestock.
Exo 12:30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. And there was a great cry: No people were more remarkable and frantic in their mournings than the Egyptians. When a relative died, every one left the house, and the women, with their hair loose, and their bosoms bare, ran wild about the street. The men also, with their apparel equally disordered, kept them company; all shrieking, howling, and beating themselves. What a scene of horror and distress must now have presented itself, when there was not a family in Egypt where there was not one dead.
Exo 12:31 And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said. Pharaoh finally hits rock bottom. "Leave my people he tells Moses and Aaron." Take the rest of the Israelites with you. (Psalm 105:38).
Exo 12:32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. Take your flocks and herds with you and be gone. But, could you bless me as you leave? Is Pharaoh about to change his ways? We will see...
Exo 12:33 And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men. The Egyptians wanted the Israelites gone quickly because they feared that they would all die.
Exo 12:34 And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. Time to go! When God shows you a way out, don't drag your feet (1 Corinthians 10:13), take it.
Exo 12:35 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment:
Exo 12:36 And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians. Was this done because the Egyptians liked the Israelites? Was it done because they now feared them? No... It was done because God brought it to pass. And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. (Genesis 15:14). Prophecy to Abram that the nation of Israel would go down to Egypt in the time of Joseph. They would be there 400 years, serving the Egyptians. God would bring judgment on Egypt, and Israel would get all the treasure the Egyptians would give them. (Exodus 3:21-22).
Exo 12:37 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. Rameses = City of the sun. Succoth = booths. Men here is "geber" valiant man or warrior. i.e. men of military age that would form the armies of Israel.
Exo 12:38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. A mixed multitude of other people went with the Israelites. Hanging with the Christians because they had God on their side. They would eventually cause the Israelites a lot of trouble. (Numbers 11:4, Zechariah 8:23). Kind of like people today that say they are Christians, but never study Gods Word. They just take the word of man and go on with their daily living.
Exo 12:39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual. Bread always unleavened when baked in haste. (Genesis 18:6).
Exo 12:40 Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. The Samaritan Pentateuch reads, "Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, and of their fathers in the land of Canaan and in the land of Egypt, was 430 years." The Alexandrine copy of the LXX has the same reading; and the same statement is made by the apostle Paul, in (Galatians 3:17), who reckons from the promise made to Abraham to the giving of the law. That these three witnesses have the truth, the chronology itself proves; for it is evident that the descendants of Israel did not dwell 430 years in Egypt; while it is equally evident, that the period from Abraham's entry into Canaan to the Exodus, is exactly that number. Thus, from Abraham's entrance into the promised land to the birth of Isaac, was 25 years; Isaac was 60 at the birth of Jacob; Jacob was 130 at his going into Egypt; where he and his children continued 215 years more; making in the whole 430 years.
Exo 12:41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. The selfsame day: i.e. the fifteenth day of the seventh month. The year of the solar cycle show that it was the day that Abraham left "Ur of the Chaldees."
Exo 12:42 It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations. A night to be much observed. (Exodus 12:14, Deuteronomy 16:1-6).
Exo 12:43 And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof: No outsiders! Remember the mixed multitude of (Exodus 12:28), that went along for the ride. They want the blessing of Yahveh, but not the commitment of circumcision.
Exo 12:44 But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof. The blessing only comes with the commitment of circumcision.
Exo 12:45 A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof. Not for the temporary residents or hired servants.
Exo 12:46 In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof. For one household only. No bones to be broken on the Passover sacrifice. (Numbers 9:12). This would also apply to Christ (our Passover), as He hung on the cross. None of His bones were to be broken as was done by tradition by the Romans. (John 19:33, 19:36).
Exo 12:47 All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.
Exo 12:48 And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.
Exo 12:49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.
Exo 12:50 Thus did all the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.
Exo 12:51 And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies. On that very day the LORD brought the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt like an army. "LET MY PEOPLE GO."
Exodus 13
Exo 13:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Exo 13:2 Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine. God spared all the firstborn of Israel and now He wants them dedicated to Him. All souls belong to God! (Ezekiel 18:4). That is why we dedicate new born babies to God. Some call it baptism, some call it dedication. However, there is a difference. Child dedication is just what it says. You dedicate the new child to God and ask for His love and protection over that innocent child. (The child is not at the age of accountability and has no idea what is going on). Baptism is when a person becomes of age of accountability, and decides on their own to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and becoming part of the many member body of Christ. (i.e. washing themselves clean of sin and bondage in their old self, and becoming a new "spiritual person" and believer of the "true Word" in Jesus name). Are you a believer? For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. This verse needs no interpretation. No doubt, one of the most important scriptures written in the bible. However, the key here is "believe in Him." But, you must get to know someone before you can believe in them. You get to know Christ through the Word. (A personal letter to you). "His written personality if you will."
Exo 13:3 And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten. Leavened = fermented. (Feast of unleavened bread). Leaven being the picture of sin in the bible. Even in the new testament it applies to us. Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: (1 Corinthians 5:7). Get rid of the "old yeast" (sin), by removing it from among you. (Ephesians 4:22, Colossians 3:5-9). The feast of "unleavened bread" was associated with the Passover. Celebrated for seven days following the Passover. (Exodus 13:6-7). "Christ is our Passover." (John 1:29, 1:36, Acts 8:32-35, 1 Peter 1:19-20, Revelation 5:12). Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (1 Corinthians 5:8). Celebrate the "Feast of Passover" in remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Exo 13:4 This day came ye out in the month Abib. Abid = the month of green ears. Jewish traditions says that in this month Abraham was called, Isaac was born, Israel delivered from Egypt, and Tabernacle reared up. The Talmud (teachings of Jewish Rabbi's), further says: "As in Nisan there had been redemption, so in Nisan there should be redemption." John's preaching began and the Lord's death occurred in this month.
Exo 13:5 And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month. The Perizzites and Girgashites not included in this list. (Genesis 15:18-21, Deuteronomy 7:1, Joshua 24:11).
Exo 13:6 Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the LORD.
Exo 13:7 Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters.
Exo 13:8 And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt. Shew thy son: Explain to your children. Do you explain to your children the truth in the Word and how you came to know the Lord? Are you passing on the legacy of knowing Jesus; or are you just letting them find out for themselves through the traditions of men and false teachings? If they don't know or come to the truth, "it's in part your fault."
Exo 13:9 And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD'S law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt. A sign: This expression alludes to the custom of the Orientals, of burning in their right hand all kinds of marks with the ashes of henna, which gives an indelible color; and this is done even to this day. They were likewise accustomed to write all kinds of sayings, and frequently superstitious words, on slips or pieces of linen, which they wore as ornaments on their foreheads. (Exodus 13:16, Deuteronomy 6:8, Proverbs 1:9).
Exo 13:10 Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year.
Exo 13:11 And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, as he sware unto thee and to thy fathers, and shall give it thee,
Exo 13:12 That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the LORD'S. Every first born son and firstborn male animal is to be set apart to Yahveh.
Exo 13:13 And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem. Redeem from bondage by power. (We have been redeemed from the power of sin by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ).
Exo 13:14 And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage:
Exo 13:15 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem.
Exo 13:16 And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt. Branded in your mind for remembrance.
Exo 13:17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: God did not lead them by the land of the Philistines. (The shortest route to the promise land). They might become faced with a battle and return back to Egypt. (They were slave builders not warriors).
Exo 13:18 But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt. God led them the long way around for safety. (Psalm 107:7).
Exo 13:19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you. Moses took the bones of Joseph as promised by the sons of Israel. (Hebrews 11:22), It was by faith that Joseph (when he was about to die), said that the people of Israel would leave Egypt. "He even told them to take his bones with them." (Joshua 24:32). Another evidence of order. (Genesis 50:25-26), Joseph's faith exhibited 150 years before.
Exo 13:20 And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness.
Exo 13:21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
Exo 13:22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. Guided by the Lord both day and night. (Psalm 121:5-8, Revelation 10:1).
Exodus 14
Exo 14:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, God gives instructions to Moses.
Exo 14:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea. Pihahiroth: Mouth of Chiroth, or mouth of gorges. (Valley which extends from the wilderness of Etham to the Red Sea). This valley ends at the sea in a small bay made by eastern extremities of the mountains of Gewoubee and Attackah. (Between which the valley lies). Called "Tiah-Beni-Israel. i.e., the road of the Israelites, by a tradition that is still kept up by the Arabs, of their having passed through it; so it is also called Baideah, from the new and unheard of miracle that was wrought near it, by dividing the Red sea, and destroying therein Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen." Migdol: Signifies a tower, and hence some have supposed that it was a fortress which served to defend the bay. Baalzephon: This may have been the name of a town or city in which Baal was worshipped; and probably called Zephon, from being situated on the north point of the Red sea, near the present Suez.
Exo 14:3 For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. The Pharaoh will think that the Israelites are lost and confused. (The assault of the enemy was foreseen by God and a way out will be provided by Him). "God is always in control."
Exo 14:4 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so. Pharaoh will harden his heart again and follow after the Israelites. But, this time he will see the mighty power of God and know that He is the Lord.
Exo 14:5 And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?
Exo 14:6 And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him:
Exo 14:7 And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them.
Exo 14:8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand.
Exo 14:9 But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon. Egypt was know for chariots, horses, and calvary, which had been introduced by the eighteenth dynasty.
Exo 14:10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. As Pharaoh approached the people of Israel, they panicked and cried out to the Lord. "The Lord hears them." (Psalm 34:17, 106:44, 107:6, 107:13, 107:19, 107:28).
Exo 14:11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? They thought that they were finished and sure to die.
Exo 14:12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness. Won't be the last time they wish they were back in Egypt.
Exo 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. Stand still and see: Note the importance of this command. Stand still, and hear. (Numbers 9:8, 1 Samuel 9:27, 12:7, 2 Chronicles 20:17, Job 37:14).
Exo 14:14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. God takes care of the enemy.
Exo 14:15 And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: Stop crying, get off your ass, and tell the people to get moving! Go forward: This was Israel's faith. It was "by faith" in what they heard. (Romans 10:17, Hebrews 11:29).
Exo 14:16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.
Exo 14:17 And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
Exo 14:18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
Exo 14:19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: The angel of God and the pillar of cloud moved to the back of the people now. (Giving darkness to the Egyptians and light to the Israelites).
Exo 14:20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.
Exo 14:21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. Dividing the red sea.
Exo 14:22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. Waters divided: This verse demonstrates that this event was wholly miraculous, and cannot be ascribed, as some have supposed, to an extraordinary ebb, which happened just then to be produced by a strong east wind. For this would not have caused the waters, contrary to every law of fluids, to stand as a wall on the right hand and the left.
Exo 14:23 And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. The Egyptians followed right after them.
Exo 14:24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, Morning watch: Between 2:00 a.m. and dawn. Troubled: Not only the parting of the sea took place, but there was rain, thunder, lightning, and a earthquake. (Psalm 77:16-19).
Exo 14:25 And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians. Twisted and broke the wheels of the chariots to make them difficult to drive. (Jeremiah 51:21).
Exo 14:26 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.
Exo 14:27 And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. The waters rushed back by the power of the Lord and swept the Egyptians into the sea.
Exo 14:28 And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. Not a single survivor. "This implies that Pharaoh himself did not escape." (Psalm 106:9-11, 136:15).
Exo 14:29 But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
Exo 14:30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.
Exo 14:31 And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses. Israel saw and experienced the mighty power of the Lord. Now they put their faith in the Lord and His servant Moses.
Exodus 15
Exo 15:1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. Note the ten songs of praise: (Exodus 15:1-19, Numbers 21:17-18, Deuteronomy 32:1-43, Judges 5:1-31, 1 Samuel 2:1-10, 2 Samuel 22:1-51, Luke 1:46-55, Luke 1:68-69, Luke 2:29-32, Revelation 14:3). Unto the Lord: Yahveh is the sole theme, and should be the theme of our praise. Portions of this song are also found in (Psalm 118:14, Isaiah 12:2). The song will also be sung in the end times. (Revelation 15:1-4). "The song of Moses." And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. (Revelation 15:3). The complete Song of Moses can be found in (Deuteronomy 32:1-43). The song of the lamb would be the entire Word of God. The song of Joy! Why? Because we get rid of all the evil ones in the world. Pay close attention to Deuteronomy 32:15-18, where it says to beware of the wicked party boys "Jeshurun" (prosperous), "waxed fat" (oily or gross), "and kicked" (trample down), the good timers who gain wealth, women and power, and forget about God. They follow the ways of the world and strange doctrines. (Don't care or need God anymore). "At least they think so." Also, pay close attention to Deuteronomy 32:31-33, where is says "their rock is not our Rock." Notice the lower case "rock" representing Satan and the upper case "Rock" representing Christ. (The wicked follow the false rock). Their day of calamity is at hand. (Deuteronomy 32:35).
Exo 15:2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. Lord here is "yahh" (the sacred name), the Eternal, inhabiting eternity. (See appendix 4).
Exo 15:3 The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. A warrior! (This is what He is out of Christ; and to those who are not the subjects of His redeeming power.
Exo 15:4 Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.
Exo 15:5 The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.
Exo 15:6 Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.
Exo 15:7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.
Exo 15:8 And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.
Exo 15:9 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.
Exo 15:10 Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.
Exo 15:11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? Who is like you among the gods (mighty ones). Yahveh showing the Israelites that He alone is God.
Exo 15:12 Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.
Exo 15:13 Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation. Led forth in mercy, redeemed in grace, guided by strength.
Exo 15:14 The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.
Exo 15:15 Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.
Exo 15:16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.
Exo 15:17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established. Plant: The word used by God throughout of settling His people. (Jeremiah 18:9, Amos 9:15, Romans 6:5, 1 Corinthians 3:6-10). O LOrd: One of the 134 places where Yahveh was altered, by the Sopherim, to Adonai. (See appendix 32).
Exo 15:18 The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.
Exo 15:19 For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.
Exo 15:20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. Miriam: Hebrew form of Mary. Moses older sister. (The one who watched over Moses as he floated in a basket down the Nile). The first woman referred to as a prophetess in the bible. (Micah 6:4).
Exo 15:21 And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. The song of Mariam.
Exo 15:22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. Shur: Name given from the great wall built to protect Egypt from Asia, with its great Migdol, or fortress. This lay on the eastern shore of the Heroopolitic gulf of the Red Sea, and is still called the desert of Shur.
Exo 15:23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. The water was bitter. Marah = "bitter." (Numbers 33:8). This is what Naomi (pleasant), called herself when she came back to Bethlehem. (Ruth 1:20).
Exo 15:24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? The people complained and turned against Moses. (The first murmuring after leaving Egypt).
Exo 15:25 And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, Tree: The Cross is the Divine provision for every trial. Yahveh showed it. (The tree as a picture of the Cross).
Exo 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee. The Lord that healeth thee: "Yahveh rophe' eka" one of Yahveh's titles. (See appendix 4).
Exo 15:27 And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters. Elim: This was on the northern skirts of the desert of Sin, two leagues from Tor, and near 30 from Corondel, which is to be Marah, where there is a small rill, which is brackish. Nine of the wells were found, the other three being filled up with sand; but the 70 palm trees had increased into more than 2,000. (Numbers 33:9, Isaiah 12:3, Revelation 7:17).
Exodus 16
So far, the Israelite slaves have been rescued from Egypt, marched through the middle of the Red Sea to escape, while they watched the Egyptians drown. They came to the bitter waters of Marah, where God turned the waters sweet. Now, they are going to complain about food.
Exo 16:1 And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt. Moving south along the Red Sea from Elim and journeyed into the wilderness of sin. From there they would move on to Dophkah. (Numbers 33:10-12). They traveled close to 300 miles in a little more than a month.
Exo 16:2 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: Here they go again complaining to Moses and Aaron.
Exo 16:3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger. They were eating good in Egypt, but not they were lacking food.
Exo 16:4 Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. The Lord is going to test the people in two ways. To see if the people will trust in the Lord, and to see if the people will obey the Lord. (Deuteronomy 8:2). If they do this, the Lord will provide what they need. (Proverbs 30:8). If you put in the effort, God will always take care of you with what you need, not what you want. But, first you must seek Him and the rest will be added. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33). The King and His Dominion. Take action and seek the truth of His Word and make Him first in your life, and He will take care of you.
Exo 16:5 And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily. God will always give you a double portion when deserved. When you do things God's way, it's like getting a bonus when payday comes. Spiritually speaking, God will always leave you full of truth and wanting to come back for more.
Exo 16:6 And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel, At even, then ye shall know that the LORD hath brought you out from the land of Egypt:
Exo 16:7 And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD: and what are we, that ye murmur against us?
Exo 16:8 And Moses said, This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD. Moses tells the people that their complaints were not against Aaron and himself, but against the Lord.
Exo 16:9 And Moses spake unto Aaron, Say unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, Come near before the LORD: for he hath heard your murmurings.
Exo 16:10 And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud. They could see the awesome glory of the Lord in the cloud.
Exo 16:11 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, "When God speaks, listen."
Exo 16:12 I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God.
Exo 16:13 And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host. Quail are still common to Saudi Arabia.
Exo 16:14 And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. Small round flaky chunks of bread covered the ground. "Like corn-bread from heaven." (Psalm 78:24, 105:40).
Exo 16:15 And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat. Manna, Hebrew H4478 "man" a whatness (so to speak). "Bread from heaven." God would give us the true bread from heaven. "Jesus Christ." (John 6:31-32). "The hidden manna." He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. (Revelation 2:17). The manna is the truth of God's Word. The stone could identify Christ. (Revelation 3:12, 19:12). But wait, A stone is also used in (Revelation 13:18), to count the number of the beast. Remember their is a true Christ and a false Christ (antichrist), who will come first. Make sure that your stone (your rock) is Jesus Christ, and not the stone used to identify Satan who comes pretending to be Christ.
Exo 16:16 This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man for them which are in his tents. Skull, per-head, "per person." Omer "a dry measure" about two quarts.
Exo 16:17 And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.
Exo 16:18 And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating. Each family had just what they needed. (2 Corinthians 8:14:15). The scriptures tell us that all will equal out in life. (Exodus 16:18, Luke 22:35), everyone's needs were met. (God will always give you what you need, not always what you want).
Exo 16:19 And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning. Eat it all today. Save nothing for tomorrow. (Matthew 6:34), Today's troubles are enough to worry about if you are always worrying about things. Don't worry about tomorrow, take it one day at a time.
Exo 16:20 Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them. Of course some didn't listen. Talk about a hard-headed people. God is teaching them here, that He will provide for their needs every day. When your a "true" believer, God will never leave you or forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5).
Exo 16:21 And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted. Spiritually speaking, God gives us food every day, "if you want it." Take time for Him on a daily basis if possible. How do we get spiritually fed every day? Read and study His Word when it is made available to you, otherwise it will just melt away just like the manna.
Exo 16:22 And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. Gather twice as much on the sixth day. I bet you know why this was done.
Exo 16:23 And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning. The Sabbath! God is going to give the people a day off to rest. "There would be no manna falling on the seventh day." But, would they listen?
Exo 16:24 And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein.
Exo 16:25 And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the LORD: to day ye shall not find it in the field. The Sabbath would be dedicated to the Lord. "No food on the ground today."
Exo 16:26 Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none.
Exo 16:27 And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none. Here we go again... They never listen.
Exo 16:28 And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws? Come on Moses... How long will these people refuse to obey My commandments?
Exo 16:29 See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. A day of rest for the people. "The Lords gift to you." Today, we find our rest in Jesus Christ. Christ is our Sabbath (rest), and High Priest. (Hebrews 4:1-11). With that being said, the Sabbath "day" is still on Saturday.
Exo 16:30 So the people rested on the seventh day. The seventh day of rest. (Leviticus 23:3, Deuteronomy 5:12-14, Hebrews 4:9).
Exo 16:31 And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. House of Israel: First occurrence of this expression. Manna: Like white coriander seed (an herb), and the taste of honey wafers. Yum...
Exo 16:32 And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commandeth, Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations; that they may see the bread wherewith I have fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you forth from the land of Egypt.
Exo 16:33 And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a pot, and put an omer full of manna therein, and lay it up before the LORD, to be kept for your generations.
Exo 16:34 As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept. The Ark was not made yet, but the pot of manna was kept inside the Ark of the Covenant. (Hebrews 9:4).
Exo 16:35 And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan. Ate the manna for forty years till they came to the land of Canaan. (Joshua 5:12).
Exo 16:36 Now an omer is the tenth part of an ephah. Omer: (1/10th of an Ephah), the container used to measure the manna. (It held about two quarts).
Exodus 17
Exo 17:1 And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink. Rephidim = Reclining places.
Exo 17:2 Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD? Chide = grapple, wrangle, hold a controversy. i.e. complain! (They keep testing the Lord).
Exo 17:3 And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? They continued to argue with Moses complaining, Why did you bring us out of Egypt? Are you trying to kill us with thirst? Why, Why, Why? (Moses was probably thinking; I should have left them in Egypt).
Exo 17:4 And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me. Lord, Moses cried! These people are ready to stone me to death, what should I do? (Moses, David, Jeremiah, Stephen, Paul, and the Lord Jesus suffered from stoning or its threatening).
Exo 17:5 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. Get your staff and call the elders together to join you.
Exo 17:6 Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. Strike the rock with your staff, God tells Moses. Yes, the same staff (rod), used to turn into a serpent (Exodus 4:4). Turn waters of Egypt into blood (Exodus 7:20). Used to bring hail (Exodus 9:3). Used to bring the locust (Exodus 10:13). Divided the Red Sea (Exodus 14:16). Was this a magic staff? It wasn't the staff, but the power of the Lord, through the staff. Smite the rock: This rock, which is a vast block of red granite, 15 feet long, 10 broad, and 12 high, lies in the wilderness of Rephidim, to the west of Mount Horeb, a part of Sinai. There are abundant traces of this wonderful miracle remaining at this day. This rock has been visited, drawn, and described by others; and holes and channels appear in the stone, which could only have been formed by the bursting out and running of water. Jesus is the Rock: A type or picture of the "Rock" that was smitten for us. A picture of the death of Christ which gave us life. The apostle Paul explains about this Rock. Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; (1 Corinthians 10:1). Ancestors that came out of Egypt under the cloud (cloud of protection), and had escaped through the parting of the red sea. (Exodus 14:19-20) And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; (1 Corinthians 10:2). Just as we are baptized in Christ, they had a kind of baptism as followers of Moses. (Baptized by the sea and cloud of protection). And did all eat the same spiritual meat; (1 Corinthians 10:3). They all ate and drank spiritual food. Angels food, quail, and water from the rock. (Exodus 16:35, Nehemiah 9:15) And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:4). "Our spiritual rock is Christ."
Exo 17:7 And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not? Massah = Temtation. (Tempting of God). Meribah = Strife. (Striving with Moses). Tempted: (i.e. tempting the Lord to cut them off).
Exo 17:8 Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. Amalek: Descendant of Esau. (Genesis 36:12). They came to fight for water. (Deuteronomy 25:17-19).
Exo 17:9 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. Sends Joshua out to fight the army of Amalek. (With God's help).
Exo 17:10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Here we have Moses (a prophet), Aaron (a priest), Hur (royal tribe of Judah). Hur: Hebrew for noble or well-born. The son of Caleb, the son of Hezron, the son of Pharez, the son of Judah (1 Chronicles 2:3-5, 2:18-19).
Exo 17:11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. Moses was known as a man of prayer. When Moses lifted his hand, "it was lifted in prayer." (1 Timothy 2:8).
Exo 17:12 But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. As his hands became a little heavy, Aaron and Hur found him a stone to sit on as they helped hold his hands up.
Exo 17:13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek.
Exo 17:14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. The Lord instructs Moses to "write this down on a scroll as a reminder," and read it aloud to Joshua.
Exo 17:15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi: "Yahveh is my banner." One of Yahveh's titles.
Exo 17:16 For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation. Again, Amalek = Descendant (Grandson), of Esau. Will be at war with the Lord from generation to generation. (Psalm 21:8-11).
Exodus 18
Exo 18:1 When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt; When: This chapter is a parenthesis (appendix 6). Introduced here because Jethro, though he lived among the Amalekites, yet was not under their curse (Exodus 17:14-16). The event occurred between verses 10 & 11 of Numbers 10. Jethro's counsel was given, and taken, when Israel was ready to depart from Sinai (Deuteronomy 1:7-14). Jethro: (Exodus 3:1), Probably a descendant of Abraham by Keturah, and not, therefore, an idolater. (Exodus 18:12).
Exo 18:2 Then Jethro, Moses' father in law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her back,
Exo 18:3 And her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land: Gershom: (a refugee or stranger).
Exo 18:4 And the name of the other was Eliezer; for the God of my father, said he, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh: Eliezer: (God is my helper).
Exo 18:5 And Jethro, Moses' father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God: Mount of God: Mount Sinai. (Exodus 19:11, 19:20, 24:16-17).
Exo 18:6 And he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.
Exo 18:7 And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent.
Exo 18:8 And Moses told his father in law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the LORD delivered them.
Exo 18:9 And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.
Exo 18:10 And Jethro said, Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.
Exo 18:11 Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.
Exo 18:12 And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God.
Exo 18:13 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening. The people took all their problems and complaints to Moses. Christ would address this in Matthew 23. Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, (Matthew 23:1). Addressed the whole crowd of people and His disciples at this time. Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: (Matthew 23:2). Moses was the law giver. (Deuteronomy 5,6). The Scribes and Pharisees were changing the law so much they thought they were Moses. (More traditions of men). Sound familiar? (Read the rest of Matthew chapter 23 in our studies and you will see how priests, pastors, and teachers of today try to change the law of Moses with traditions of men).
Exo 18:14 And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?
Exo 18:15 And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:
Exo 18:16 When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws. Statutes of God. "Those before Sinai." (See appendix 15).
Exo 18:17 And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.
Exo 18:18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. Jethro tells Moses, "Your going to burn yourself out." This job is to heavy a burden for you to handle on your own.
Exo 18:19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
Exo 18:20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. Jethro encourages Moses to teach all the people what all the laws are to be. (Not just the person in front of him).
Exo 18:21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: Lets break the people down into groups and appoint leaders over them that you can trust.
Exo 18:22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. Let the leaders handle the smaller problems and bring the bigger ones to you.
Exo 18:23 If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace. When you find yourself in leadership, at times you will need the help of others to make your job easier.
Exo 18:24 So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said. Moses takes the advice of Jethro.
Exo 18:25 And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
Exo 18:26 And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.
Exo 18:27 And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land. Soon after, Moses said good-bye to his father-in-law, who returned to his own land.
Exodus 19
Exo 19:1 In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.
Exo 19:2 For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount. The desert: Mount Sinai, called by the Arabs Jibbel Mousa, the Mountain of Moses, and sometimes by way of eminence, El Tor, the Mount, is a range of mountains in the peninsula formed by the gulfs of the Red Sea. It consists of several peaks, the principal of which are Horeb and Sinai; the former, still called Oreb, being on the west, and the latter, called Tur Sina, on the east, at the foot of which is the convent of St. Catherine. Wilderness: Wilderness of Sinai, properly so called, is that part which is to the eastward of this mount; so that the removal of the Israelites from Rephidim, which was on the West, to the desert of Sinai, was only removing from one part of the mountain to another.
Exo 19:3 And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God. Moses was familiar with this place because he worked there for forty years. (Exodus 3:1). God told Moses before (at the burning bush), to bring the people to Sinai. (Exodus 3:12). This would be Moses' first ascent to the mountain of God. The first of six accents and descents of Moses to receive and give His laws and ordinances.
Exo 19:4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Eagles wings: Just as the eagle protects their young, God protected the people who left Egypt. "Just as it will be in the end times." And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. (Revelation 12:14). 3-1/2 years that is shortened to 5 months Satan persecutes the children of God. God is the great eagle that protects His children and the two wings represent the two witnesses. (Deuteronomy 32:10-12) Moses' Song, God protects as the eagle and carries the weak.
Exo 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: Obey and keep My covenant, and you will be a special treasure among all the people on earth. (Psalm 135:4, Isaiah 41:8, Jeremiah 10:16, Malachi 3:17, Titus 2:14). They will be My people. On judgment day in the end times they will be God's special treasure and He will spare them. (Matthew 25:34, Revelation 20:12-15). Jesus Christ gave His life for us so that we can accomplish everything in this life as it pertains to the will of God. He freed us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and make us His very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. The earth is mine: It all belongs to God! (Job 41:11, Psalm 24:1, 1 Corinthians 10:26).
Exo 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. A kingdom of priests, a holy nation, to bring the world to God. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. (1 Peter 2:9). A chosen generation (Generation of the fig tree), or the last generation. (Revelation 5:10, 20:6).
Exo 19:7 And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. Moses' first descent.
Exo 19:8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD. Moses' second ascent. He will bring the peoples answer to the Lord. (They agreed to everything the Lord commanded). They were willing, but will they keep their promise?
Exo 19:9 And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD. God would come to the people so they could hear Him speak, but they could not see Him. (Exodus 33:20). Speak and believe: Faith cometh by hearing. (Luke 10:16, Romans 10:17).
Exo 19:10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,
Exo 19:11 And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai. Be ready: The people need to clean up a little before they approach God. Before Jesus, mankind had to clean themselves up before coming to God. Now, because of the price paid on the cross by Jesus Christ, we can come to Him as you are to be forgiven and cleansed. However, even though God accepts you as you are, He doesn't want you to leave that way. He wants to cleanse and forgive you, giving you new life, free from bondage to the ways of the world. He wants you to become a "new person" through Christ. "One who will have everlasting life." (John 3:16).
Exo 19:12 And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death: Keep your distance to the boundary I have given you, or the penalty will be death.
Exo 19:13 There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount. i.e. the person would not be arrested or seized lest trespass on the mount incurred.
Exo 19:14 And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. Moses' second descent from the mountain. He prepared the people for worship.
Exo 19:15 And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives. The people were to abstain from sex for three days. Don't worry, sex is honorable among married couples. (Hebrews 13:4), Honor your husband or wife as a man and woman and remain faithful to one another. God will judge the immoral people and those who commit adultery. (I Corinthians 6:9, II Corinthians 5:10).
Exo 19:16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. The people about to meet their maker as they trembled.
Exo 19:17 And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.
Exo 19:18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke as the Lord descended on it in the form of fire. The whole mountain shook violently. (Could it be that the Lord descended in one of the vehicles He uses in His travels)? Such as Ezekiel's wheel? (Ezekiel 1:1-28).
Exo 19:19 And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice. God spoke to Moses with a thundering voice.
Exo 19:20 And the LORD came down upon mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up. Moses' third ascent.
Exo 19:21 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go down, charge the people, lest they break through unto the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish. Warn the people again not to break through the boundaries.
Exo 19:22 And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them.
Exo 19:23 And Moses said unto the LORD, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it.
Exo 19:24 And the LORD said unto him, Away, get thee down, and thou shalt come up, thou, and Aaron with thee: but let not the priests and the people break through to come up unto the LORD, lest he break forth upon them. This time when you come back, bring your brother Aaron with you.
Exo 19:25 So Moses went down unto the people, and spake unto them. Moses' third descent. He tells the people what the Lord had said.
Exodus 20
When we think of the laws of God, we usually think of the ten commandments and the Old Testament laws of Moses. There are two laws here (Moses law and Gods law), that we must consider. The ordinances, ceremonial and sacrificial laws of Moses were nailed to the cross with the crucifixion of Christ. (Galatians 3:13-29). However, what about the ten commandments? "Gods law." Does it still remain? “The answer is yes.” The ten commandments of God still remain and are carried forth throughout the New Testament. (We could even call them a type of guide to civil law that this country was founded on and should be followed in society). “Just break one of the ten commandments such as stealing or murder and see if you don’t get into trouble.”
When Christ was giving His sermon on the mount He made this statement: Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. (Matthew 5:17) He did not come to cancel the laws of Moses and the warnings of the prophets. He came to fulfill them and make them come true. The Christ goes on to say: For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (Matthew 5:18). Every law in the Book will continue until its purpose is achieved. (Remember the law is our schoolmaster and teaches us the difference between right and wrong). Break the law and God will punish you for your own good and lead you along the paths that you should follow. (Isaiah 48:17).
The first five of the ten commandments
are spiritual, linked together by the words "the Lord thy God." The
last five of the commandments are civil, linked by the word "thou."
The Ten Commandments divided by Christ into two (tables), Duty to
God and Neighbor (Matthew
22:37-40). However, divided by man into four and six. In
Catholicism, the second command is omitted, and the tenth is divided
into two. "But this is impossible." The structure of the whole
divides them into 5+5, the number of grace. For
the law was given by Moses, but grace
and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John
1:17). Moses being the
law giver to the people, but God's unfailing love and faithfulness
came through Jesus Christ.
Then Jesus goes on to warn us about the law. Whosoever
therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall
teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven:
but whosoever shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew
5:19). If you break any of these
commandments (or change them), and teach others to, you will be the
least in the kingdom of God, if you make it at all. But if you teach
God’s laws and obey them, you will be great in the kingdom. What
commandments? The ten commandments given by God. Teach the truth of
God's Word and quit listening to man's ways of doing things.
Exo 20:1 And God spake all these words, saying, Hebrew "Elohim." God gives instruction to the people.
Exo 20:2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Rescued you from the land of Egypt.
Exo 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. No other God but Me, the one true God. Hmmm, people wouldn't worship other gods today, would they? You would think not, but they do.
Exo 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Image: Hebrew H6459 "pesel" an idol: carved image, a sculpture. Do not make images or sculptures of anything in the heavens, or on the earth, or in the sea. (Churches wouldn't do that, would they)?
Exo 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; You must not bow down to them, worship them, pray to them, or serve them. i.e. Should we pray to false gods, statues, or images of saints as many do? "Of course not." Pray to God and worship Him only. It is not the making or displaying of images that is bad, it is when people pray and worship them that upsets God. Don't pray or ask forgiveness to a image or statue, pray and repent directly to God "Our Heavenly Father."
Exo 20:6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. There is a condition here. "Keep My commandments." (John 14:15, 14:21, 1 John 5:3, 2 John 1:6).
Exo 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God. This is much more important than the mere mispronunciation of the Name.
Exo 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Sabbath: Intermission or rest. Christ is our Sabbath (rest), and High Priest. (Hebrews 4:1-11).
Exo 20:9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
Exo 20:10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: Forbidden work: (Numbers 28:18), servile = laborious work.
Exo 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. We all need a day of rest. However, put your spiritual rest in Christ Jesus.
Exo 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. This completes the first five commandments, and ends up with "promise." Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise (Ephesians 6:2). These five, that relate to "piety," are separate from the five that relate to "probity." The first and fifth begin and end the five with honor to God, and to our parents whom He honors. They have nothing to do with our "neighbors."
Exo 20:13 Thou shalt not kill. (Deuteronomy 5:17), Do not murder (criminal homicide), those who lie and wait, or make plans to kill another and carry it out. Does not have anything to do with self defense, crimes of passion, or war.
Exo 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. (Deuteronomy 5:18), Do not commit adultery. Build a strong marriage and quit fooling around.
Exo 20:15 Thou shalt not steal. (Deuteronomy 5:19), Do not steal. No one like a thief, scammer, or con-man. (Especially in the ministry). Work hard for a living and God will bless you for it.
Exo 20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. (Deuteronomy 5:20), Do not tell lies and gossip about others. If you can't speak good about others, "keep your mouth shut."
Exo 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. (Deuteronomy 5:21), Do not burn with desire for another mans wife or anything he owns. Be satisfied with what God has given you, and "love the one your with."
Exo 20:18 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. Quite a show of thunder and lightening. But not only that, these people may have actually heard the voice of God.
Exo 20:19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. The people were afraid to face God themselves and wanted a mediator between them and God. (Deuteronomy 5:23-28). We have a mediator just as these people did. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 2:5-6). Only one God, one mediator, Jesus Christ! (He is like the bridge to get us to God the Father). We can now go straight to God. (You don't need any man, woman, priest, or pastor, as your mediator).
Exo 20:20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. God does not want you to fear Him, but rather revere Him. (Adore, honor, and admire Him). He is your "Heavenly Father" and only wants your love. (Hosea 6:6).
Exo 20:21 And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. Drew near: Moses' fourth ascent. Note the difference between law and grace. But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:13). Now you belong to Christ Jesus, though once far away from God, now brought near to Him because of what Christ has done for us all with His blood.
Exo 20:22 And the LORD said unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.
Exo 20:23 Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold. Do you remember the first two commandments? Thou shalt have none other gods before me. (Deuteronomy 5:7). Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth. (Deuteronomy 5:8).
Exo 20:24 An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee. Of earth... in all places. Shiloh was the first place (Jeremiah 7:12), Bethel (1 Samuel 10:3), then Zion (Psalm 78:68).
Exo 20:25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it. i.e. no human handiwork to be used in approaching God in worship. Tool: Man's work, in this sphere, pollutes.
Exo 20:26 Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon. By steps: Only exposes nakedness. Our approach is quite secondary. Weather by "tool" or "steps," it either pollutes the Divine or exposes the human.
Keep The Faith,Barton