Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 10:24
And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you.
24 26. The Pharaoh now summons Moses again, and offers a greater concession than before ( vv. 8 11): the entire people may go; only their flocks and herds must be left behind (as a security for their return). But Moses will not listen to such a compromise. The passage must belong to the same source as vv. 8 11 (J).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Your flocks and your herds – Pharaoh still exacts what would of course be a complete security for their return: but the demand was wholly incompatible with the object assigned for the journey into the wilderness.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Exo 10:24-26
Thou must give us also sacrifices.
Lessons
1. Gods instruments of redemption seek not only liberty of persons, but of means, to serve Him.
2. Due worship and true sacrifice to God are the scope of all Gods redeemed (Exo 10:25).
3. Gods ministers must be resolute for all, and not bate a jot of what God requires. Not a hoof.
4. All the exactions of Gods instruments must be aimed at Gods service truly.
5. Gods servants know not themselves, but depend upon His discovery for what they must offer to Him (Exo 10:26). (G. Hughes, B. D.)
The reluctance with which men yield a complete obedience to the imperative claims of God
I. The fact of this reluctance on the part of man to yield complete obedience to the claims of God.
1. This reluctance is seen in the judgments that are sent to overcome it.
2. This reluctance is seen in the mercy that is despised.
3. This reluctance is seen in the faithful ministries that are rejected.
4. That men resist these judgments, etc., is complete evidence of their great reluctance to surrender all for Him.
(1) This reluctance is a matter of revelation.
(2) This reluctance is a matter of history.
(3) This reluctance is a matter of experience.
II. The reasons of this reluctance on the part of man to yield complete obedience to the claims of God. These reasons are obvious.
1. Depravity of nature.
2. Pride of heart.
3. Selfishness of motive.
4. Obstinacy of will.
III. The folly of this reluctance on the part of man to yield complete obedience to the claims of God.
1. Because it provokes painful judgments.
2. Because it is useless to contend with God.
3. Because final overthrow is its certain outcome.
Lessons:
1. That man will consent to any terms rather than yield a complete submission to the will of God.
2. That God will only be satisfied by an entire surrender to His will. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)
The way in which men endeavour to compromise the service of God
I. That men endeavour to compromise the service of God by nominal allegiance.
II. That men endeavour to compromise the service of God by an occasional performance of duty.
III. That men endeavour to compromise the service of God by a public profession of it accompanied with private reservations.
IV. That men endeavour to compromise the service of God by excluding it from their worldly pursuits.
Lessons:
1. That men must not compromise the service of God.
2. That ministers must warn men against compromising the service of God. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)
The picture of an unregenerate soul
I. It is opposed to the service of God.
II. It is loath to part with its evil possessions.
III. It is slow to heed the voice of the servants of truth. (J. S. Exell, M. A.)
Compromise; or, wealth left behind in Egypt
Only let your flocks and herds be stayed. How many souls are caught in this snare! They have left their business, their work, their worldly interests, down in Egypt. They cannot be very far away in such case, for they must needs go down to Egypt to attend to their possessions. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth; Make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof (Mat 4:9; Rom 13:14). These are words that need to be considered in connection with this last snare of Satan. I think when Satan sees a Christian go out of Egypt with all his flocks and herds, he has no hope of getting him back again. So he makes a last stand here: Keep your business and your religion separate. Give yourself to God; but do not consecrate your property. Now, will you just take a look at the state of the Christian world to-day. Look at the wealth of Christians in London, and in New York, and over the whole world. How they have piled it up–thousands upon thousands, heaps upon heaps! And where is it? Surely in Egypt. It is not held in sacred stewardship for the Lord. It is used for the most part to gratify the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life. Look, I pray, at the magnificence of the residences, the costliness of the furniture, and the expensiveness and luxury of the equipage. Go into the houses of the wealthy Egyptian Christians, and behold the splendour and costliness of their entertainments! See the crowds of Egyptians gathered there to enjoy the feasts and pleasures that are provided by Gods people with the proceeds of the flocks and herds that should be used in His service. Again, look at the condition of the Lords work the world over. Consider the fewness of the number of missionaries who are abroad! Note how from every direction the cry comes up for help! There are men and women who are waiting to give themselves to the work–to forsake home and country, and go to the darkest spots of heathendom; but there are not the men and the women who are ready to spare from their hoards the money to send and support them. If the flocks and herds were out of Egypt, and really given over to the Lord to be used in His service, the world could and would be evangelized in less than five years. (G. F. Pentecost, D. D.)
Not an hoof be left behind.—
Full redemption
Now, it seems to me, that this grand quarrel of old is but a picture of Gods continual contest with the powers of darkness. Evil is hard in dying; it will not readily be overcome. But this is the demand of God, and to the last will He have it. All My people; the whole of, every one of them, and all that My people have possessed, all shall come out of the land of Egypt. Christ will have the whole; He will not be contented with a part, and this He vows to accomplish. Not an hoof shall be left behind.
I. First, then, Christ will have the whole man. In His people whom He has purchased with His blood He will reign without a rival. No sin is to be spared; no service shunned; no power unconsecrated.
II. This is equally true of the whole church as of the whole man–Not an hoof shall be left behind. When I come to the matter of redemption it seems to me that whatever Christs design was in dying, that design cannot be frustrated, nor by any means disappointed. All that His heavenly Father gave Him shall come to Him. Iii. Jesus Christ will not only have all of a man, and all the men He bought, but He will have all that ever belonged to all these men. That is to say, all that Adam lost Christ will win back, and that without the diminution of a single jot or tittle, Not an inch of Paradise shall be given up, nor even a handful of its dust resigned. Christ will have all, or else He will have none.
IV. Christ will have the whole earth. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
All or none; or, compromise refused
This was the Divine policy of No surrender, and I plead for it with you. Satan says, Do not use your property for God. Do not use your talents and your abilities; especially do not use your money for the Lord Jesus. Keep that for yourself. You will want it one of these days, perhaps. Keep it for your own enjoyment. Live to God in other things, but, as to that, live to yourself. Now, a genuine Christian says, When I gave myself to the Lord I gave Him everything I had. From the crown of my head to the soul of my foot I am the Lords. He bids me provide things honest in the sight of all men, and care for my household; and so I shall; but yet I am not my own, for I am bought with a price; and therefore it becomes me to feel that everything I have, or ever shall have, is a dedicated thing, and belongs unto the Lord, that I may use it as His steward, not as if it were mine, but at His discretion and at His bidding. I cannot leave my substance to be the devils. That must come with me, and must be all my Lords, for His it is even as I am. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Every hoof to be brought out
Gods will is that we should be completely set free. This will be accomplished. Repeated conflicts first.
I. The truth suggested that our deliverance will be complete.
1. Our natures will be entirely freed from the thraldom of sin. Every power of body, mind, and soul will ultimately escape from the dominion of evil.
2. Our families shall be saved.
3. The whole Church shall be saved.
II. The encouragement that may be derived from this truth. We need encouragement. The bondage is often bitter, and hope fails. The enslavers powerful and the chains strong. But a deliverance, complete, triumphant, and eternal, is sure. This ought to lead us–
1. To live in the expectation of perfect freedom from all evil.
2. To continue to strive, believe, and pray for it.
3. To pray and labour zealously for the salvation of our families.
4. To sympathize with and aid the weak and lowly in the Church. (W. O. Lilley.)
We know not with what we must serve the Lord until we come thither.—
Going forth to serve God
I. Some things are uncertain in the future.
1. The continuance of our life on earth.
2. The new circumstances in which we shall be placed.
3. The particular duties which will be required of us.
II. Some things are certain in the future.
1. The obligation of service.
2. Special opportunities of service.
3. Adequate directions for services.
III. Some things are necessary for the future.
1. Diligent preparation of heart.
2. Humble dependence on God.
3. Hopeful anticipation of better things to come. (B. Dale, M. A.)
The Lords stewards
I. The teaching is that not a part, but the whole, of our possessions must go out of egypt with us. There shall not an hoof be left behind. Is that so with you? Are you conscious that all your possessions are solemnly consecrated to the Lord, withdrawn from all Egyptian unrighteousness and sinful self-indulgence? Or are you using your wealth as any other worldly man might use it?
II. Notice, that it is more than taking wealth on to religious ground. It is distinctly taking it out for the purpose of serving the Lord. Not that the Lord is to have a portion; but that it is all held at His call, for, says Moses, We know not with what we must serve the Lord. It may be that He will want few, it may be that He will want many sacrifices. We must hold all subject to His call. This is a high standard to hold up before us; but it is without question the true one. I do not believe God grudges to His children any comfort which may be had out of wealth honestly and righteously won from the world; but without doubt the Lord does insist that the necessities of His service must first be met, before we can indulge ourselves. How far we must allow ourselves to go in self-provision is a question that can be easily settled by the man or woman who is honestly out-and-out–spirit, soul, body, and property–for the Lord. (G. F. Pentecost, D. D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 24. Only let your flocks and your herds be stayed] Pharaoh cannot get all he wishes; and as he sees it impossible to contend with Jehovah, he now consents to give up the Israelites, their wives and their children, provided he may keep their flocks and their herds. The cruelty of this demand is not more evident than its avarice. Had six hundred thousand men, besides women and children, gone three days’ journey into the wilderness without their cattle, they must have inevitably perished, being without milk for their little ones, and animal food for their own sustenance, in a place where little as a substitute could possibly be found. It is evident from this that Pharaoh intended the total destruction of the whole Israelitish host.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
And Pharaoh, or therefore, or then, to wit, after the darkness was either wholly or in part removed.
Let your flocks and your herds be stayed, either as a pledge of your return after your sacrifice is ended, or as a recompence for the cattle which I have lost by your means. Let your little ones also go with you, and consequently the women, whose help and service was necessary for their little ones in divers regards.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
24-26. Pharaoh called unto Moses,and said, Go ye, serve the LordTerrified by the preternaturaldarkness, the stubborn king relents, and proposes anothercompromisethe flocks and herds to be left as hostages for theirreturn. But the crisis is approaching, and Moses insists on everyiota of his demand. The cattle would be needed for sacrificehowmany or how few could not be known till their arrival at the scene ofreligious observance. But the emancipation of Israel from Egyptianbondage was to be complete.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And Pharaoh called unto Moses,…. After the three days, as the Targum of Jonathan, when the darkness was over, or at least much diminished, fearing that still worse evils would befall him:
and said, go ye, serve the Lord, only let your flocks and your herds be stayed; stopped or remained behind, as a pledge and security of their return; and these the rather he was desirous of retaining, because of the great loss of cattle he had sustained by the murrain and boils upon them, and by the hail: let your little ones also go with you; this he had refused before, but now consents to it, which he thought was doing them a great favour, and that upon such terms they might be content to go.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Verses 24-26:
Once more Pharaoh sent for Moses. He would now let all Israel go including their children, but they must leave their flocks behind. This was unacceptable to Moses. He knew that they must have their flocks for a livelihood. Also, he did not know the specific animals which Jehovah would require for sacrifice; so, there must not be left behind even “a hoof.”
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
24. And Pharaoh called unto Moses. We gather that he was greatly alarmed by this infliction; because of his own accord he again calls to him (as before) the men who were so troublesome to him, and the authors of such sore calamities, that he may treat with them of their departure. But it is asked how, if no one rose from his place for three days, Pharaoh could send for Moses and Aaron? If we were to answer that the messengers were sent after the darkness had been dispersed, this objection must readily arise, via, that it does not appear probable that this untamable wild beast should be so much subdued, when the severity of the punishment was relaxed; for thus far we perceive that, as often as God withdrew his hand, the proud tyrant, having cast aside his fear, returned to his ferocity. My own opinion is, that whilst the exigency was still pressing upon him, and he feared lest the darkness should be upon him for ever, he took counsel how to appease Moses. But when it is here related, that “none rose from his place,” I understand that it is spoken hyperbolically, as though it were said that they ceased from all the occupations which required light. But although the night does not allow of our executing the works in which men are employed by day, still it does not so confine them that they are unable to move about. Neither has this hyperbole (127) anything harsh or severe in it, that the Egyptians were so overwhelmed with darkness as to remain each one fixed as it were in his own place, and not to behold each other; because in the three days darkness God forbade them from performing their customary actions. Although Pharaoh is prepared to accord somewhat more than before, still he does not make an end of shuffling. He allows their little ones to go, provided their herds remain; either because he hoped that the people might easily be recalled through fear of famine; or because his loss would be at any rate less, if he were enriched by such spoils. For it. is plain that he was very anxious about the men themselves, because he so very reluctantly made the concession that they might go out to sacrifice without their goods; which he would not have been unwilling to do, if he had only been desirous of spoiling them. But this passage again teaches us, that the wicked only partially yield to God, though they cease not meanwhile to struggle like malefactors, who are compelled to follow the executioner when he drags them by a rope round their necks, and yet are not on that account any the more obedient. This, too, is to be observed, that the wicked are quick in inventing subterfuges, when they are suffering under God’s hand, and that they turn and twist about in every direction to discover plans for escaping from a sincere and hearty submission. When he says, “let your little ones also go with you,” by this particle of amplification he would make a specious show of generosity, in order to cajole Moses and Aaron; as if he said, that he now at length granted them what they had seemed chiefly to require.
(127) Excez de parler. — Fr.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.Exo. 10:24-26
THE RELUCTANCE WITH WHICH MEN YIELD A COMPLETE OBEDIENCE TO THE IMPERATIVE CLAIMS OF GOD
I. The fact of this reluctance on the part of man to yield complete obedience to the claims of God.
1. This reluctance is seen in the judgments that are sent to overcome it. What judgments were sent to overcome the reluctance of Pharaoh to a complete surrender to the claims of God! How varied! How numerous! How afflictive! And yet all in vain. He continued to defy the servants of heaven. He sought to make a compromise with God and duty. There are many like him in our own times. They are afflicted by a providence designed to bring them to the performance of duty; yet they refuse subjection to the will of heaven.
2. This reluctance is seen in the mercy that is despised.
3. This reluctance is seen in the faithful ministries that are rejected. Moses and Aaron were many times sent to urge the king to compliance with the commands of God; but in vain. How many faithful and persuasive appeals have been made to us to give up all sin, and to render an unreserved service to the King of heaven! That men resist these judgments, these ministries, and the abundant mercy of God, is complete evidence of their great reluctance to surrender all for Him.
(1.) This reluctance is a matter of revelation.
(2.) This reluctance is a matter of history.
(3.) This reluctance is a matter of experience.
II. The reasons of this reluctance on the part of man to yield complete obedience to the claims of God. These reasons are obvious:
1. Depravity of nature. Man is depraved in soul. He has fallen away from God. He has lost the love of God from his heart. Hence he has an aversion to the Divine service. He is at enmity with the Being who demands obedience. This is one reason of mans reluctance.
2. Pride of heart. Man is proud and does not like to be humiliated by surrendering all to God. Pharaoh likes to keep his slaves. He fancies that they augment his importance, and the prowess of his nation. Men imagine that sin is an exaltation; hence they are unwilling to give it up.
3. Selfishness of motive. Pharaoh was selfish. He would not give up the wealth brought to his treasury by the energies of his slaves. Men imagine that sin is a gain and a profit; hence they are reluctant to make an entire surrender of it at the call of heaven.
4. Obstinate in will. Pharaoh was obstinate. He did not wish to yield to Jehovah, of whom he had but little knowledge. Men obstinately resist a fancied invasion of their rights, and hence will not yield to the claims of God.
III. The folly of this reluctance on the part of man to yield complete obedience to the claims of God.
1. Because it provokes painful judgments.
2. Because it is useless to contend with God.
3. Because final overthrow is its certain outcome. Surely we see the folly of this reluctance in the case of Pharaoh, in the plagues it brought on him and his people, in the useless conflict he conducted with the Infinite, and in his final overthrow in the Red Sea. Men who will not yield to the claims of God are ultimately overtaken with sad calamity. Are we reluctant to yield entire obedience to the claims of duty? LESSONS:
1. That man will consent to any terms rather than yield a complete submission to the will of God.
2. That God will only be satisfied by an entire surrender to His will.
THE WAY IN WHICH MEN ENDEAVOUR TO COMPROMISE THE SERVICE OF GOD
I. That men endeavour to compromise the service of God by nominal allegiance. Pharaoh consented that Moses and the Israelites should worship God in the land of Egypt (Exo. 8:25). He would then have rendered any assistance for the service; as it would not much have interfered with his selfish and despotic purpose. After the worship the slaves could have returned to their bondage and toil. There are many who seek thus to compromise the service of God. They consent to the worship of God, but they wish to do it in their own way, and at their own time, and so to nullify its design. They seek to pay homage to heaven and yet to retain their sins. Their homage is only nominal. It is the outcome of fear or policy.
II. That men endeavour to compromise the service of God by an occasional performance of duty. Pharaoh told Moses that Israel might go into the wilderness and sacrifice, provided they did not go very far away; so that they might afterwards return. And so some people try to satisfy the claims of God by going occasionally into the wilderness to sacrifice to Him. They go to the wilderness for this purpose once a month, and then spend all the rest of their time in rejection of the Divine will. This is mockery. It shows that men know better, but that they have not sufficient moral resolution to do better. The service of heaven cannot be compromised in this manner. Men cannot serve God and Satan.
III. That men endeavour to compromise the service of God by a public profession of it accompanied with private reservations. Pharaoh gave permission for the men to go with Moses to sacrifice to God (Exo. 10:10-11). But the little ones were to remain in bondage. Thus he hoped to satisfy the Divine claims upon him. He no doubt thought this a great concession. And there are people who seek to be religious by letting their great sins go, but they reserve their little faults. They make outwardly a great pretence of goodness, whereas inwardly there are reservations of heart displeasing to God.
IV. That men endeavour to compromise the service of God by excluding it from their worldly pursuits. Pharaoh gave Moses permission to go and sacrifice to God, only he was to leave the flocks and herds behind, in the possession of the tyrant. And how many business men, who feel the claims of Gods service resting upon them, seek to let all go but the flocks and the herds! They are not willing to bring religion into their business. They think that they would suffer loss by so doing. Such a compromise can never be allowed. LESSONS:
1. That men must not compromise the service of God.
2. That ministers must warn men against compromising the service of God.
SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS ON THE VERSES
Exo. 10:24-26. Gods instruments of redemption seek not only liberty of persons but of means to serve Him.
True worship and true sacrifice to God, is the duty of Gods redeemed people.
Gods ministers must be resolute, and not abate a jot of what God requires.
All the exactions of ministers must be made for Gods service.
Gods servants know not themselves, but depend upon His discovery for what they must offer to Him.
THE PICTURE OF AN UNREGENERATE SOUL
I. It is opposed to the service of God.
II. It is loath to part with its evil possessions.
III. It is slow to heed the voice of the servants of Truth.
Every hoof to be brought outpart of Exo. 10:26. Evil personified in Pharaoh. Egypt our sinful condition that clings around us, and brings us into bondage. Gods will is that we should be completely set free. This will be accomplished. Repeated conflicts first.
I. The truth suggested that our deliverance will be complete.
(1.) Our natures will be entirely freed from the thraldom of sin. Every power of body, mind, and soul will ultimately escape from the dominion of evil. The body shall be delivered from the grave. Every facultyeven the lowliestshall be set free for God. Not a hoof, &c.
(2.) Our families shall be saved. Often there is much anxiety about the wayward and the fallen; but every truly pious parent should expect the salvation of his children. No child that is sincerely prayed for and worked for will be left to perish in Egypt.
(3.) The whole Church will be saved. Christ will deliver all who believe in Him. Not one of His true followers shall finally be left in the bondage of evil. The weakest, the most desponding, the poorest and most insignificant, shall all escape. Not one faithful soul shall be missing: for Not a hoof, &c.
II. The encouragement that may be derived from this truth. We need encouragement. The bondage is often bitter, and hope fails. The enslavers powerful and the chains strong. We groan to be delivered from our bondage, and deliverance is delayed. But a deliverance, complete, triumphant, and eternal, is sure. This ought to lead us
1. To live in the expectation of perfect freedom from all evil.
2. To continue to strive, believe, and pray for it.
3. To pray and labour zealously for the salvation of our families.
4. To sympathise with and aid the weak and lowly in the Church. Nothing is too hard for God; He can overthrow the most direful bondage. He has declared by His servants that He will bring His people, and all that they possess, out of the land of Egypt.
W. Osborne Lilley.
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
(24) Let your little ones also go with you.Rather, your families. Pharaoh yields another point, but he will not yield all. He has not yet made up his mind really to let the people go. He must still keep some hold on them, and the cattle will serve his purpose equally with the little ones. If the Israelites depart without their cattle, they will be sure to return for them.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
24. Go ye, serve the Lord Now Pharaoh is willing that all the people should go, but insists that the flocks and herds should remain, as hostages for their return .
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The treaty is again renewed, but all in vain. Pharaoh’s heart still retains the same hardness, and the Lord’s terms cannot vary.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 10:24 And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you.
Ver. 24. Called unto Moses, ] viz., When the darkness was over: though some think that, even during the darkness, Pharaoh – such was his madhess – raged against God, and menaced Moses.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
let your flocks and your herds be stayed. Pharaoh’s second objection to Jehovah’s fifth and final demand in Exo 10:9.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
said, Go ye
i.e. “Leave your property in the world.” Cf. Mat 16:25-27; Luk 18:18-25.
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Go ye: Exo 10:8, Exo 10:9, Exo 8:28, Exo 9:28
flocks: Gen 34:23
little ones: Exo 10:10
Reciprocal: Gen 46:5 – in the wagons Exo 3:18 – that we may Exo 8:8 – and I will Hos 5:6 – go