I have made thee a god to Pharaoh — That is, my representative in this affair, as magistrates are called gods, because they are God's vicegerents. He was authorized to speak and act in God's name, and endued with a divine power, to do that which is above the ordinary course of nature. And Aaron shal... [ Continue Reading ]
Moses was fourscore years old — Joseph, who was to be only a servant to Pharaoh, was preferred at thirty years old; but Moses, who was to be a god to Pharaoh, was not so dignified till he was eighty years old. It is fit he should long wait for such an honour, and be long in preparing for such a serv... [ Continue Reading ]
Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod — This Moses ordinarily held in his hand, and delivered it to Aaron upon occasion, for the execution of his commands.... [ Continue Reading ]
And Aaron cast his rod down, and it became a serpent — This was proper not only to affect Pharaoh with wonder, but to strike a terror upon him. This first miracle, though it was not a plague, yet amounted to the threatening of a plague; if it made not Pharaoh feel, it made him fear; this is God's me... [ Continue Reading ]
Moses had been originally instructed in the learning of the Egyptians, and was suspected to have improved in magical arts in his long retirement. The magicians are therefore sent for to vie with him. The two chief of them were Jannes and Jambres. Their rods became serpents; probably by the power of... [ Continue Reading ]
And he harden'd Pharaoh's heart — That is, permitted it to be hardened.... [ Continue Reading ]
The waters that were in the river were turned into blood — This was a plague justly inflicted upon the Egyptians; for Nilus the river of Egypt was their idol; they and their land had so much benefit by that creature, that they served and worshipped it more than the creator. Also they had stained the... [ Continue Reading ]
And the magicians did so — By God's permission with their enchantments; and this served Pharaoh for an excuse not to set his heart to this also, (Exodus 7:23,) and a poor excuse it was. Could they have turned the river of blood into water again, it had been something; then they had proved their powe... [ Continue Reading ]
Seven days were fulfilled — Before this plague was removed.... [ Continue Reading ]