Exodus 4:31

The bowing the head in token of belief had a double signification, and both beautiful. It testified that they would depend upon it. And it testified also, that they gave to God all the glory of it.

REFLECTIONS

Reader! while you and I behold with concern the conduct of one of the most faithful servants of the Lord, in the repugnance which he manifested to an immediate obedience to the Lord's commands; let us consider in him a renewed evidence of the universal taint of our fallen nature, and derive from the view this sweet improvement, that none but our adored Redeemer call be endeared to the heart as holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners. And did Moses need one miracle upon another to gain him over to the interests and services of his God; how many miracles of grace have you and I required, and yet in the present moment the remains of unbelief still lurk within! Well may we both cry out, not only in beholding the obduracy of the avowed enemies of God like that of Pharaoh, but even in the rebellion and unbelief of his friends like that of Moses; from hardiness of heart and contempt of thy word and commandment, good Lord deliver us.

One word more on this Chapter. We see that God's people though persecuted, we're not forsaken; though cast down by men, were not cast off by their God. They were still the Lord's people, and therefore the Lord's care. Now let you and I seek for grace to remember this amidst all our dark and trying dispensations. There is a time to favour Zion, and that time must come. In the covenant all things are ordered and sure. The season for sending trials, the season for removing trials, and one continued stream of love is running through all. Blessed God! give me grace like Israel to believe that the Lord is looking upon my afflictions, and like them in token of submission and thankfulness to bow the head and worship.