Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Exodus Ch.5 / 40 Ch.s
EX:5
* Pharaoh's displeasure, He increases the tasks of the
Israelites. (1-9) The sufferings of the Israelites, Moses'
complaint to God. (10-23)
#1-9 God will own his people, though poor and despised, and will
find a time to plead their cause. Pharaoh treated all he had
heard with contempt. He had no knowledge of Jehovah, no fear of
him, no love to him, and therefore refused to obey him. Thus
Pharaoh's pride, ambition, covetousness, and political
knowledge, hardened him to his own destruction. What Moses and
Aaron ask is very reasonable, only to go three days' journey
into the desert, and that on a good errand. We will sacrifice
unto the Lord our God. Pharaoh was very unreasonable, in saying
that the people were idle, and therefore talked of going to
sacrifice. He thus misrepresents them, that he might have a
pretence to add to their burdens. To this day we find many who
are more disposed to find fault with their neighbours, for
spending in the service of God a few hours spared from their
wordly business, than to blame others, who give twice the time
to sinful pleasures. Pharaoh's command was barbarous. Moses and
Aaron themselves must get to the burdens. Persecutors take
pleasure in putting contempt and hardship upon ministers. The
usual tale of bricks must be made, without the usual allowance
of straw to mix with the clay. Thus more work was to be laid
upon the men, which, if they performed, they would be broken
with labour; and if not, they would be punished.
#10-23 The Egyptian task-masters were very severe. See what need
we have to pray that we may be delivered from wicked men. The
head-workmen justly complained to Pharaoh: but he taunted them.
The malice of Satan has often represented the service and
worship of God, as fit employment only for those who have
nothing else to do, and the business only of the idle; whereas,
it is the duty of those who are most busy in the world. Those
who are diligent in doing sacrifice to the Lord, will, before
God, escape the doom of the slothful servant, though with men
they do not. The Israelites should have humbled themselves
before God, and have taken to themselves the shame of their sin;
but instead of that, they quarrel with those who were to be
their deliverers. Moses returned to the Lord. He knew that what
he had said and done, was by God's direction; and therefore
appeals to him. When we find ourselves at any time perplexed in
the way of our duty, we ought to go to God, and lay open our
case before him by fervent prayer. Disappointments in our work
must not drive us from our God, but still we must ponder why
they are sent.