Exodus 4:8-9

They will believe the voice of the latter sign.

The paralysis of doubt

A man needs not to be a thorough unbeliever, overtly renouncing all allegiance to revealed truth, in order to become useless in the pulpit and religiously powerless in society. He needs only to put a note of interrogation after some of the articles of his creed. That is enough, without absolutely erasing them. The hesitant is as impotent for spiritual good as the heretic. The man who is shooting for the Queen’s cup may as well attempt to hold his rifle with a paralysed arm as take aim with a trembling hand. That tremor will be fatal to success in hitting the mark. Truth uttered questioningly and apologetically will prove an arrow of conviction to no man’s soul. This, it seems to me, rather than absolute and pronounced infidelity, is the bane and weakness of the age. It pervades the pulpit and the pew. From the former, doctrines may be still propounded with logical accuracy, with great precision of definition, with much beauty and felicity of illustration, but with not enough of conviction to drive them forcibly home. The rifle is a beautiful piece of mechanism, but there is something amiss with the powder. (J. Halsey.)

The Divine treatment of human doubt

I. The Divine being recognizes the probability that men will not welcome the truth upon its first presentation to them. Yet the message proclaimed by Moses was--

1. Adapted to their condition Announcing freedom. The tendency of all unbelief is to intensify slavery of moral nature.

2. Wonderfully simple.

3. Divinely authenticated. Miracles will not convince a sceptic.

II. The Divine being mercifully makes provision for the conviction and persuasion of men in reference to the reality of the truth proclaimed, notwithstanding their confirmed unbelief. This method of treatment is--

1. Considerate. Every facility given for complete investigation.

2. Merciful. Sign after sign.

3. Condescending.

III. The persistent unbelief of men is likely to awaken evidences of truth indicative of the divine displeasure (Exodus 4:9).

1. Evidences that recall past sorrows. Reminding of murder of children in river.

2. Evidences prophetic of future woe. Indicating a strange and unhappy change in their condition, if they embraced not the message of Moses. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)

The voice of the first sign

1. It speaks of the thraldom of man.

2. It speaks of the inability of man to liberate himself therefrom.

3. It speaks of the agency that God has provided for the freedom of man.

4. It speaks of the strange unwillingness of man to credit the tidings of freedom. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)

Miracles

1. Miracles at first may miss their end, and not persuade men to faith.

2. Second miracles may do that which the first failed to effect.

3. God’s word and promise alone can make miracles themselves effectual means of faith.

4. Miracles have voices which should command faith and obedience. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)

Ministers exposed to unbelief

That a true minister, notwithstanding--

1. His call.

2. His spiritual preparation.

3. His knowledge of the Divine name.

4. His supreme moral power, and--

5. Intimate communion with God--is exposed to the unbelief of those whom he seeks to benefit. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)

The obstinacy of unbelief

It will reject the truth.

1. In opposition to the word of him by whom it is brought.

2. In opposition to the Divine power by which it is accompanied.

3. In opposition to the benevolent design it contemplates.

4. In opposition to accumulative demonstration. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)

The folly of rejecting the gospel of emancipation

One can hardly conceive a poor wayworn wretch, as he lies on the arid waste, punting with blackened lips and swollen tongue, striking the kind traveller’s flask from his hand, and spilling the precious water among the blistering sands. The slave boy--now an African bishop--exulted gleefully when a British cruiser snapped the fetters from his youthful limbs and bore him to free Liberia. Can folly surpass that insensate madness which makes the sinner spurn the clear, cool, crystal drops of life, and perversely traverse the wilds of sin? Can madness outrival that supreme folly which leads the hapless bondsman of sin to hug the chains of condemnation, and obstinately kiss the fetters of wrath?