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ed their schemes. But in the greatness of his excellency, God lifted up himself, and overthrew them. They rose up against the king he had made, the people he had chosen, and the religion he had established; and he sent forth his wrath, which consumed them as stubble; and perhaps there scarce ever was a victory, to which this similitude, consumed as stubble, might more justly be applied; so speedily and irrecoverably were they defeated. Let us learn to guard against pride and insolence, when speaking of the most contemptible enemy, for the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. Those that walk in pride, God is most likely to abase. He resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 4. When under impressions of gratitude for great deliverances, let us bind ourselves by solemn ties to the Lord, and devote ourselves, and what we have and are, to his service. Moses, in v. 2. takes advantage of the good disposition of the people, to lead them to promise that they would be grateful, dutiful, and obedient: and this should be the fruit of those good impressions which divine mercy makes upon us. Has the Lord preserved our liberty, our property, and religion? Let all be employed for him. Let us study, that we may render to the Lord, according to his benefits; and consider what we can do for his honour, and what good offices for the house of our God. Let us not only offer to God thanksgiving, but pay our vows, the vows we made in the day of trouble. Every fresh remembrance of divine favour, is a renewed call to be grateful and obedient. Are we delivered out of the hands of our enemies? Let us serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness; not like Israel, who sang his praises, but soon forgat his works. Let us remember them, and be engaged by them to obey his laws, and serve his interest. This is the best and most acceptable expression of gratitude to obey is better than sacrifice; better than even singing and giving praise: it is the likeliest way to obtain further favour. Let us then, this day, lay our souls under fresh engagements to do the will of God, in all its branches, with all steadiness and cheerfulness. An humble, holy heart, is the best habitation we can prepare for him, and well doing is the surest and best method of exalting and glorifying him.

5. Let us take encouragement from what God hath done, to trust him for the future, and to hope that he will still protect us: thus Moses did. The malice of our enemies was restless and implacable; they seemed desirous to move heaven and earth to bring about their purposes, and were quite mad with envy, rage, and disappointment. But he that sitteth in heaven laughed at them; the Lord had them in derision. Thus, like the Canaanites before Israel's God, they trembled and melted away. Let us adore that kind Providence, which not only suppressed the rebellion, but brought to light the secret combinations and rebellious associations of those, who, while they stiled themselves patriots,

and the only espousers and defenders of the interests of their country, have been labouring to subdue and undermine it; or, which is nearly as bad, have stood tamely by to see others do it. God hath not yet forsaken our land, but will, we trust, discover and confound all the plots of our enemies, that fear and dread shall fall upon them, and that they shall be still as a stone. May we not hope, that the Lord, who is our strength and our song, will, with regard to this also, become our salvation. Let our souls make our boast in God, and place our confidence in him alone, who hath delivered, and doth deliver, and we trust will still deliv

er us.

6. Let us be thankful for our more excellent deliverance by Jesus Christ, and, with the song of Moses, join also that of the Lamb. This reflection and advice is never unseasonable. When we commemorate temporal deliverances, we should then, especially, stir up our hearts to remember spiritual ones. God's right hand became glorious in power, when by his Son, he destroyed the works of the devil, and overcame principalities and powers; and he shall at length destroy all the church's enemies. According to Rev, xv. 2, 3, 4. the heavenly host, those especially that had gotten the victory over the beast, stood upon the sea of glass, having the harps of God in their hands. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest. This is described as their stated employ ; it is an abridgment of this song we have been considering: they celebrate the complete victory over their enemies, and ascribe the honour of all to God. It is called the song of the Lamb, because Jesus, the Lamb of God, is therein celebrated as the author and finisher of that great deliverance. He does for his people, what Jehovah did for Israel. Let us be solicitous, that, by divine grace, we may be qualified to bear our part in this song. Let us boldly oppose the yoke of our spiritual enemies, and carry on our warfare against them, till victory be completed. In the prospect of this, let us begin the song of heaven upon earth, and long to perfect it in a better world, where no tears are mingled with the song, no murmurings nor provocations are known. We shall there see Moses and the Lamb, and by them be taught these songs of praise; and see abundantly more of their excellency, beauty, and suitableness, than it is possible for us to do here. Thither all the redeemed of the Lord shall come, with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

CHAP. XV. 20, to the end.

Having considered the song of Moses, we have here an account of the manner in which it was sung; and some circumstances that attended Israel's march from the Red sea.

A

20 ND Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, and half sister of Moses, took a timbrel, or small drum, in her hand and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances, which was the usual way of rejoicing in 21 those days. And Miriam answered them, that is, the men, saying, probably after every verse that they sung,* Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

22

So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur, or Etham, of which Shur might be a part; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. This was a great difficulty to them and 23 their cattle. And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they [were] bitter therefore the name of it was called Marah, that is, bitterness,

24

And the people, instead of looking up to God, ungratefully murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? 25 And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD showed him a tree, [which] when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: God could have done this with a word, but he chose to use means, to exercise the faith and submission of Moses and the Israelites: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance; he admonished them to take heed of murmuring, and to carry themselves more obediently for the future : and made this a statute, that if they would do so, he would be gracious to them; and there he proved them; tried their faith, by the want of water, and their obedience, by this 26 general command; And he said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians : for I [am] the LORD that healeth thee; am able to heal and help thee in body and soul, and to preserve thee from all evil, both present and future.†

27

And they came to Elim where [were] twelve wells of water, enough for themselves and their cattle, and threescore and ten palm trees, which were refreshing, both by their shade and their fruit; and they encamped there by the waters, which was one of the most pleasant spots in their journey.

This was a common method among the Israelites, and their temple worship was a good deal in this way.

It was necessary this precaution should be added: considering what God had done for them, they might expect he would bear with every thing, and not be displeased with, nor punish their disobedience; but here he declares the contrary.

1.

WE

REFLECTIONS.

E learn hence, how soon the most pleasing circum stances in life may be imbittered. The Israelites were very happy on the borders of the Red sea; wonderful miracles were wrought for them, and their enemies were quite destroyed: they entered into the wilderness, and there wanted water; but they could find none but bitter water. This is often the case of the Israel of God: when they have got rid of this or the other difficulty, or enemy, they think all is safe, and that there is no more danger but the next stage of their journey tries their faith and their patience again. They see water, and expect comfort and refreshment in it, but meet with disappointment. Thus are we often pleased with expectations that only tantalize us. We should therefore not expect too much in this wilderness, should not be too fond of any creature enjoyment. If at any time we come to Elim, to wells of water, we should be thankful for it, but not take up our rest there; we should think of going forward. Let us keep Canaan in view, and the prospect of that will bear us through all the difficulties and hardships of the wilderness.

2. Let us take encouragement from God's promises to Israel, humbly to hope, that if we hearken to the voice of the Lord our God, and do that which is right in his sight, he will bring none of those diseases upon us, which he brought upon the Egyptians; that we shall find him ready to bless us, and to secure us from those evils, which he brings upon his enemies. God's commandments are life to them that find them, and health to all their bones. Let us hope that he will heal our diseases, and crown our lives with loving kindness. But if not, he will in a spiritual sense be our physician, the Lord that healeth us; he will rectify our disorders, make afflictions useful, and subservient to the health of our souls; and at length bring us to the heavenly Canaan.

CHAP. XVI.

The last chapter concluded with an account of Israel being easy and happy at Elim, but here we find them in the wilderness, in diff.culties and straits. They murmur for want of meat; God promises to provide for them; he accomplishes the promise ; and gives directions about the management of their new provisions.

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ND they took their journey from Elim, and all the con

derness of Sin, which [is] between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt, just a month from their coming out of Egypt; so long the provisions lasted which they brought with them.

2 And the whole congregation, that is, the greatest part of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD, by any of the plagues, in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, [and] when we did eat bread to the full ;* for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger. Ungrateful people! thus to censure Moses and Aaron, who had been instruments of such deliverances, and whose hearts were full of kindness to them.

4

Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain, not fire and brimstone, which they might justly have expected, but bread from heaven for you, that is, manna, whereof they made themselves bread; it shall fall down from heaven, in the manner of rain; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate, an omer, every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no, whether they will be drawn to obedience 5 hereby, or still continue obstinate and refractory. And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day of the week, they shall prepare [that] which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.

6

And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel, At even, then ye shall know that the LORD hath brought you out from the land of Egypt, and not we, as you say, to kill you 7 with hunger: And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD, the glorious appearance of God in the cloud, (v. 10.) for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD and what [are] we, that ye murmur against us? We are but instruments that God makes use of in this great work; he is the principal author; therefore your murmurings reflect more 8 upon him than us. And Moses said, [This shall be,] when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what [are] we? your murmurings [are] not against us, but against the LORD.

9 And Moses spake unto Aaron, Say unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, Come near, in the place of public worship, before the LORD: for he hath heard your murmur10 ings. And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud, with an extraordinary brightness.

11 12 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye

Probably they had not such plenty in Egypt, nor did they think it so good, while they were slaves there; but their impatience and fretfulness made them say this.

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