EXODUS 4
This chapter is a continuation of the discourse that passed between God and Moses; and here Moses makes other objections to his mission; one is taken from the unbelief of the people of Israel, which is removed by giving him power to work miracles, by turning the rod in his hand into a serpent, and then into a rod again; and by putting his hand into his bosom at one time, when it became leprous, and again into the same place, when it became sound and whole, and by turning the water of the river into, Ex 4:1, another objection is formed from his want of eloquence, which is answered with an assurance, that God, that made man’s mouth, would be with his mouth, and teach him what to say; and besides, Aaron his brother, who was an eloquent man, should be his spokesman, Ex 4:10 upon which he returned to Midian, and having obtained leave of his father-in-law to depart from thence, he took his wife and his sons, and returned to Egypt, Ex 4:18 at which time he received some fresh instructions from the Lord what he should do before Pharaoh, and what he should say unto him, Ex 4:21 then follows an account of what befell him by the way, because of the circumcision of his son, Ex 4:24 and the chapter is closed with an account of the meeting of Moses and Aaron, and of their gathering the elders of Israel together, to whom the commission of Moses was opened, and signs done before them, to which they gave credit, and expressed their joy and thankfulness, Ex 4:27.
EXODUS 5
Moses and Aaron go in to Pharaoh, and desire leave for the children of Israel to go into the wilderness three days’ journey, to sacrifice to the Lord, and are answered in a very churlish and atheistical manner, and are charged with making the people idle, the consequence of which was, the taskmasters had orders, to make their work more heavy and toilsome, Ex 5:1 which orders were executed with severity by them, Ex 5:10, upon which the officers of the children of Israel complained to Pharaoh, but to no purpose, Ex 5:14, and meeting with Moses and Aaron, lay the blame upon them, Ex 5:20, which sends Moses to the Lord to expostulate with him about it, Ex 5:22.
EXODUS 6
The Lord encourages Moses to hope for success from his name Jehovah, and the covenant he had made with the fathers of his people, Ex 6:1, orders him to assure the children of Israel that he would deliver them from their bondage and burdens, and bring them into the land of Canaan; but through their distress and anguish they hearkened not to him, Ex 6:6 but Moses is sent again to Pharaoh to demand the dismission of Israel, to which he seems reluctant, and both he and Aaron are charged both to go to the children of Israel, and to Pharaoh, Ex 6:10, next follows a genealogy of the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, and Levi, which seems to be given for the sake of Moses and Aaron, and to show their descent, Ex 6:14, who were the persons appointed of God to be the instruments of bringing the children of Israel out of Egypt, Ex 6:26.
Taken from John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible, published roughly around 1748-1760.
Chronological Bible Readings 