Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 10:2
And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son’s son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I [am] the LORD.
2. thou ] i.e. Moses, addressed however as the representative of Israel. Cf. the plural ye at the end of the verse.
in the ears of thy son, &c.] The story is to be passed on to the children. The interest in the instruction of future generations, as Deu 4:9; Deu 6:7; comp. also ch. Exo 12:26 f., with the note, and Jdg 6:13, Psa 44:1; Psa 78:5-6.
how I have mocked the Egyptians ] so RVm. rightly: cf. 1Sa 6:6 RVm. (also with reference to the Egyptians), Exo 31:4 RVm. AV. itself has the rend. mock in Num 22:29, Jer 38:19. The word used cannot mean ‘wrought’: in Arabic the corresponding word means to divert or occupy oneself; the Heb. word is applied in a bad sense, to ‘divert oneself at another’s expense,’ i.e. to make a toy of, or, by a slight paraphrase, to mock. As used here, ‘it is an anthropomorphism which is not consonant with the higher Christian conception of God’ (McNeile).
done ] better, set, as the same verb, also of ‘signs’ ‘set’ in Egypt, is actually rendered, Jer 32:20 AV., RV., Psa 78:43 RV., cv. 27 RV. (cf. Isa 66:19).
and that (G.-K. 112p) ye may know, &c.] cf. on Exo 8:10.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
2, 3a. Before the last plague comes, the Israelites are to make request of the Egyptians, as directed in Exo 3:21-22; cf. Exo 12:35-36.
2. every man ] in Exo 3:22 only the women are to make the request.
and jewels of gold ] LXX. Sam. add and raiment (as Exo 3:22, Exo 12:35). It must be supplied, or understood, from Exo 12:36, to be included.
3a. gave. &c.] according to the promise of Exo 3:21 a; cf. Exo 12:36.
3b. Cf. Num 12:3 ‘Now the man Moses was very meek,’ &c.; also, for ‘the man Moses,’ Gen 19:9, Jdg 17:5, 1Sa 1:21, 1Ki 11:28, Est 9:4.
was very great, &c.] on account viz. of the wonders wrought by him. The words suggest a reason why the Egyptians acceded the more readily to the Israelites’ request.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 2. That thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son] That the miracles wrought at this time might be a record for the instruction of the latest posterity, that Jehovah alone, the God of the Hebrews, was the sole Maker, Governor, and Supporter of the heavens and the earth. Thus we find God so did his marvellous works, that they might be had in everlasting remembrance. It was not to crush the poor worm, Pharaoh, that he wrought such mighty wonders, but to convince his enemies, to the end of the world, that no cunning or power can prevail against him; and to show his followers that whosoever trusted in him should never be confounded.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
2. And that thou mayest tell . . .of thy son, and of thy son’s son, &c.There was a furtherand higher reason for the infliction of those awful judgments,namely, that the knowledge of them there, and the permanent record ofthem still, might furnish a salutary and impressive lesson to theChurch down to the latest ages. Worldly historians might havedescribed them as extraordinary occurrences that marked this era ofMoses in ancient Egypt. But we are taught to trace them to theircause: the judgments of divine wrath on a grossly idolatrous king andnation.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son’s son,…. Not of his sons and grandsons only; for Moses here, as Aben Ezra observes, was in the stead of Israel; and the sense is, that it should be told to their posterity in all succeeding ages:
what things I have wrought in Egypt; the plagues that he inflicted on the Egyptians:
and my signs which I have done amongst them; meaning the same things which were signs:
that ye may know how that I am the Lord; that their God is the true Jehovah, and the one only living and true God; the Lord God omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, infinite, and eternal.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
CRITICAL NOTES.
Exo. 10:2. What things I have wrought] A special word is here used, and it is used in a special conjugation, and both circumstances unite to give life and beauty to the expression in the original. The verb is not applied to working off, forming or doing a thing at once, but to constant, repeated turning and moving about in work or action.Frst. How beautifully this suits the infliction of plague after plague on Egypt, any one can see at a glance. And then the form of the word puts it in the reflexive conjugation, one of the uses of which is to show that the action is done to or for oneself;thus keeping up the avowal of Jehovah that in his visitations on the Egypt he sought to glorify himself in the eyes of men. It is difficult, many times, to translate all that is in the original without resorting to paraphrase; as, here, we are tempted to render: What I wrought out for myself by a series of acts. We shall be glad if, by these notes, we can kindle in some minds the determination to spare no pains requisite to be able to repair to the fountain-head.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.Exo. 10:2
THE SIGNS OF GOD TO THE GENERATIONS OF THE FUTURE
God respects the general good of the race in multiplying retributive evils upon individuals. Hence the plagues sent upon Pharaoh and his nation were calculated to instruct the generations of the future, as well as to punish Pharaoh. Children must be instructed in the ways of God, and neglect of this tuition is sinful and contrary to the Divine command. What are the signs of God made known by the plagues of Egypt for the moral instruction of future generations?
I. That God is supreme over the kingdom of nature. The plagues that came upon Egypt would give to future generations abundant demonstration of this fact, that the rivers, the dust of the ground, the atmosphere, the thunder, lightning and the hail are all at the immediate control of God. Man may have a certain power over nature, but it is limited, and subject to the Divine. Science places the natural universe under the command of man. This is the Divine ordination. But mans power over nature is derived; Gods is underived and independent. Hence,
1. He can inflict pain on the wicked.
2. He can protect the good from harm.
3. He can send famine or plenty.
II. That God is supreme over the cunning and power of the Devil. The magicians of Egypt were agents of the Devil. They were inspired by him in their opposition to Moses and Aaron. They were aided by his cunning. Their defeat was his defeat also. Satan cannot work a miracle. He may perform a marvel. He is subject to the control of God. This is evident in the history of the plagues. If he could have resisted the power of heaven, it would have been to his interest to have done so, and he would have done so. He may deceive men. He cannot protect them from the wrath of God. Hence:
1. God can deliver men from the power of the Devil.
2. God can destroy the works of the Devil.
3. God can frustrate the designs of the Devil. Teach this blessed truth and glorions fact to the youthful; that the good agencies of the universe are more potent than the bad. This will lead youthhood to confide in God.
III. That goodness is happiness, and that conflict with God is the misery of man. This is clearly taught by the plagues of Egypt. In them we see the history of a man in conflict with God; and what a record of pain and woe! When men contend with God they are sure to be plagued. Life is happy in proportion as it is good, and as it is in harmony with the Supreme Being of the universe. When men commit sin they must expect to be plagued. This must be taught to the youthful, that purity of life and true enjoyment are inseparably connected. To be happy we must be at peace with heaven. The Divine supremacy over nature, the Divine power over Satan, the greatness of God, the safety of the good, and the misery of sin, are Gods signs, manifested in the history of Pharaoh to the generations of the future. LESSONS:
1. That in the lives of individuals we have signs of God.
2. That all the signs of God in human life are to be carefully noted and taught to the young.
3. That all the signs of life are evidence of the Divine supremacy.
THE MINISTRY OF SIN
God makes Pharaoh to stand for the benefit of Israel, and in them for the benefit of humanity. It was for Pharaoh in the first instance to resist Divine light and grace, and oppress Israel,it was then for God to economize the tyrant and his wrath. The conduct of the Egyptian king served
I. To reveal God. That ye may know how that I am the Lord. The cloud of evil in its very nature is calculated to eclipse the Divine glory, and hide the Divine One from the eves of mankind, but as the sun overmasters the clouds of the sky, and makes them to enchance his splendour, so God causes the cloud of evil to become the back ground on which His glorious shape and infinite perfections are the more clearly and forcibly displayed. Pharaohs perverseness revealed all the more fully.
1. The Divine love. The more the Children of Israel were wronged the more Gods grace and kindness were demonstrated to them.
2. Divine righteousness. Each successive miracle exhibited more impressively the righteousness of Gods administration.
3. The Divine power. Each judgment, rising in severity, declared the more unmistakenably the absolute sovereignty and awful power of God. And so throughout the whole world, and throughout all life, sin which would hide God, reveals Him, sin which would dethrone God only shows the strength and splendour of His awful throne. Evil was not necessary for the revelation of the Divine Being, but since evil has invaded the universe, such is the perfection of Gods wisdom and might, that devils become the heralds of His glory, and the dissonant voice of evil swells into fuller power the pan of His praise. And the perverse conduct of the Egyptian king serves
II. To further the interests of Israel. Their highest interest was furthered by their attaining a fuller knowledge of God, and their permanent interest was secured by these wonders impressing themselves on the popular mind. And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy sons son, what things I have wrought in Egypt. Sin was not necessary to the development of mankind, but since it has forced its way into the universe, God overrules it to high and happy issues. From the sin of Egypt came the higher education of Israel, and through them the higher education of mankind at large, and from sectional evil God still educes general good. God reigns, and confounds evil, making that serve which was designed only to blast and destroy. Bad man are apostles, missionaries, martyrs, redeemers of society; but, alas! apostles whom Christ will deny, missionaries without Heavens smile, martyrs without the palm, redeemers to whom pertains the cross without the crown. Unconsciously, unwillingly, they glorify God, and serve society. Let not the Church fear, let the sinners be afraid. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. (Psa. 2:4-7.)W. L. Watkinson.
TRANSMITTING THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUE GOD
The world had then nearly lost the knowledge of the True God. The ordinary operations of his hands did not reveal him to mens callous hearts. Idols usurped his throne. He therefore manifested himself by signs. The silence of uniformity was broken. He wrought wonders.
I. Jehovah made himself known to the Israelites in Egypt as the only true God by signs. He separated Himself form the idols of Egypt by overthrowing their power and bringing them into contempt. His wondrous acts revealed His supremacy. Miracles manifest the presence of the True God. Acts reveal character. The Bible, which contains the fullest revelations of God, is a record of His acts. The plagues did not however fully reveal the character of God. Judgment is His strange work. God adapts Himself in His revelations to the spiritual condition of men. The Israelites were in a state of of spiritual infancy. God revealed to them his power and faithfulness. He asserted His supremacy over all false deities, His power over nature and ability to protect his chosen people, and His truth in remembering His covenant with their forefathers. He revealed himself more fully in after years. Christ is the fullest revelation of the true God.
II. That this knowledge is to be transmitted from generation to generation. God would have Himself known. He delights to reveal Himself to men. He acts in one age for all time. Divine knowledge must not be hidden. Men have to transmit it. Posterity should be cared for. The knowledge of useful inventions, scientific discoveries, social achievements is gladly transmitted, how much more this which is far more valuable! The young should be instructed in this knowledge above everything else. This is a public duty. Society should make provision for the transmission of the knowledge of the true God. Especially is this a parental duty. Tell it in the ears of thy son and of thy sons son. Relationship, peculiar affection, and the tender solicitude which every parent feels for the welfare of his children should lead him to instruct them in Divine knowledge. To shew them His acts is to reveal Him. To give to them a clear conception of the true God is to bestow upon them the greatest of all blessings. Parents can impart no higher good. It is eternal. It is greater than wealth, or rank, or any other temporal advantage. Parental influence the most potent in telling of Gods acts. No lips teach like the lips of loving authority. Some parents neglect this solemn duty. Ever ready to speak about worldly enterprises, the acts of great men, their own, but they are silent about Gods. Such neglect is ruinous to their children, and dishonouring to God.
III. In the transmission of the knowledge of the true God is the hope of the world. Wherever the knowledge of the true God prevails, righteousness and peace are found. Idolatry has ever been the bane of mankind. A false conception of God debases. Worship becomes a degradation. Mens ideas of God affect not only their religious views but their moral principles and social customs. In knowing the true God is true life. This is life eternal, to know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou has sent. Just as men acknowledge and serve the God that revealed himself by Moses in Egypt, and afterwards more fully by Jesus Christ are they elevated, saved, and blessed. In the spread of this knowledge is every uplifting influence. Superstition, violence and error will disappear. The Heavenly Jerusalem will be built on earth. God being known will be loved and obeyed. Men rising from the ruin of the fall will be one with God, and God be all in all. For the sake of future ages Gods mighty acts should be told in the ears of thy son and of thy sons son. In the instruction of the young is the truest hope of the advancement of mankind. The future of the world depends upon how much knowledge of the true God is possessed.
SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS ON THE VERSES
Exo. 10:2. The acknowledgment of God in His Church is the main end of His wonderful plagues.
By signs:
1. Showing the woe of sin.
2. The folly of human malice.
3. The justice of God.
4. The safety of the Church.
The Divine supremacy:
1. Rejected by the proud.
2. Received by the good.
3. Revealed by the works of God.
4. To be acknowledged by all.
The signs:
1. Their nature.
2. Their locality.
3. Their design.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
(2) That thou mayest tell.Those who experience Gods mercies are bound to hand on the memory of what He has done for them to future generations. Natural gratitude would prompt such action. But, lest the duty should be neglected, the Israelites had it at this time constantly enjoined upon them (Exo. 12:26-27; Exo. 13:14-15; Deu. 32:7; Jos. 4:6, &c):
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2. And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son See instances of this in Psalms 78, 106 .
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Deu 6:20-22
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 10:2 And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son’s son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I [am] the LORD.
Ver. 2. And that thou mayest tell. ] The memory of God’s magnalia, his great works, must be transmitted to posterity –
“ Ut nati natorum et qui nascentur ab illis, ”
that later ages may hear and fear this great God. See 1Sa 4:8 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
And that: Exo 13:8, Exo 13:9, Exo 13:14, Deu 4:9, Deu 6:20-22, Psa 44:1, Psa 71:18, Psa 78:5, Psa 78:6, Joe 1:3, Eph 6:4
that ye: Exo 7:17, Psa 58:11, Eze 20:26, Eze 20:28
Reciprocal: Jos 24:18 – will we also Jer 32:20 – hast set Rom 9:17 – that
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
10:2 And that thou mayest tell in the {a} ears of thy son, and of thy son’s son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I [am] the LORD.
(a) The miracles would be so great, that they would be spoken of forever: where also we see the duty of parents toward their children.