Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 10:29
And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more.
Verse 29. I will see thy face again no more.] It is very likely that this was the last interview that Moses had with Pharaoh, for what is related, Ex 11:4-8, might have been spoken on this very occasion, as it is very possible that God gave Moses to understand his purpose to slay the first-born, while before Pharaoh at this time; so, in all probability, the interview mentioned here was the last which Moses had with the Egyptian king. It is true that in Ex 12:31 it is stated that Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron by night, and ordered them to leave Egypt, and to take all their substance with them, which seems to imply that there was another interview, but the words may imply no more than that Moses and Aaron received such a message from Pharaoh. If, however, this mode of interpreting these passages should not seem satisfactory to any, he may understand the words of Moses thus: I will see thy face – seek thy favour, no more in behalf of my people, which was literally true; for if Moses did appear any more before Pharaoh, it was not as a supplicant, but merely as the ambassador of God, to denounce his judgments by giving him the final determination of Jehovah relative to the destruction of the first-born.
1. To the observations at the conclusion of the preceding chapter, we may add that at first view it seems exceedingly strange that, after all the proofs Pharaoh had of the power of God, he should have acted in the manner related in this and the preceding chapters, alternately sinning and repenting; but it is really a common case, and multitudes who condemn the conduct of this miserable Egyptian king, act in a similar manner. They relent when smarting under God’s judgments, but harden their hearts when these judgments are removed. Of this kind I have witnessed numerous cases. To such God says by his prophet, Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more. Reader, are not the vows of God upon thee? Often when afflicted in thyself or family hast thou not said like Pharaoh, (Ex 10:17,) Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only THIS ONCE, and take away from me this death ONLY? And yet when thou hadst respite, didst thou not harden thy heart, and with returning health and strength didst thou not return unto iniquity? And art thou not still in the broad road of transgression? Be not deceived; God is not mocked; he warns thee, but he will not be mocked by thee. What thou sowest, that thou must reap. Think then what a most dreadful harvest thou mayest expect from the seeds of vice which thou hast already sown!
2. Even in the face of God’s judgments the spirit of avarice will make its requisitions. Only let your flocks and your herds be stayed, says Pharaoh. The love of gain was the ruling principle of this man’s soul, and he chooses desperately to contend with the justice of his Maker, rather than give up his bosom sin! Reader, is this not thy own case? And art thou not ready, with Pharaoh, to say to the messenger of God, who rebukes thee for thy worldly mindedness, &c., Get thee gone from me. Take heed to thyself, and see my face no more. Esau and Pharaoh have both got a very bad name, and many persons who are repeating their crimes are the foremost to cover them with obloquy! When shall we learn to look at home? to take warning by the miscarriages of others, and thus shun the pit into which we have seen so many fall? If God were to give the history of every man who hardens himself from his fear, how many Pharaoh-like cases should we have on record! But a day is coming in which the secrets of every heart shall be revealed, and the history of every man’s life laid open to an assembled world.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Thou hast spoken well, Heb. right; not morally, for so it was very ill said; but logically, that which agrees, though not with thy duty, yet with the event and truth of the thing; for as thou hast warned me to see thee no more, so I in the name of God assure thee that thou shalt see me no more, to beg my prayers, or to be helped out of thy troubles by my means. And therefore that discourse of Moses to Pharaoh, which follows, Exo 11:4, &c., though it be put there out of its order and proper place, as many other passages are, yet was delivered at this time, and upon occasion of these words.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
29. Moses said, Thou hast spokenwell.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And Moses said, thou hast spoken well,…. Not that which was good, in a moral sense, for it was very wicked, but what would eventually prove true:
I will see thy face again no more; which may be understood either conditionally, except he was sent for, and he desired to see him, he would not come of himself; or absolutely knowing by a spirit of prophecy that he should be no more sent unto him, and that Pharaoh should in a little time be drowned in the Red sea, when he would be seen no more by him nor any other; for as for what is said in the following chapter, it is thought by many to have been said at this time, as it might even before he went out of the presence of Pharaoh, which in Ex 11:8 he is said to do in anger: and as for Pharaoh’s calling for him at midnight, and bidding him rise and begone, Ex 12:31 it might be delivered by messengers, and so he be not seen by Moses and Aaron. By this speech of Moses, it appears he was not afraid of Pharaoh and his menaces, but rather taunts at him, and it is to this fearless disposition of Moses at this time that the apostle refers in
Heb 11:27.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(29) The division between Exodus 10 and Exodus 11 is unfortunate. The interview between Pharaoh and Moses was not yet over. It is continued in Exo. 10:4-8 of the next chapter, and only terminates when the prophet went out from Pharaoh in a great anger. Exo. 10:1-3 of Exodus 11 are parenthetic.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 10:29. I will see thy face again no more That is, no more in the way of a messenger from God, or of an adviser to thee to do that which is right. And it does not appear that Moses ever came again before Pharaoh: for, as to what follows in the next chapter, Exo 10:4; Exo 10:8 that was most probably delivered now before he left Pharaoh’s presence. And, with respect to Exo 12:31 it by no means follows from thence, that Moses appeared again before Pharaoh: for, alarmed by the terrible circumstances of his people, Pharaoh arose in the night, and called for, or sent by messengers to Moses and Aaron, ordering them forthwith to rise up and get out of the country.
REFLECTIONS.When sin is not repented of, God’s wrath, is not turned away; and though there may be intervals of respite, yet his hand is stretched out still.
1. A more dismal plague overtakes them; total darkness, so dark as to be felt; and made more frightful from the terrors of conscience, which now must seize them; as well as perhaps from fiends of darkness, who, as tradition reports, with horrid yells tormented and haunted those miserable souls. Note; Hell is the place of darkness and of torment. They who choose the darkness of sin, are doomed to this outer darkness, where is weeping and wailing, and gnashing of teeth. If three days so spent were dreadful, what must it be to spend eternity thus?
2. Israel had light in their dwellings. How much better the lightsome tent of a Hebrew servant, than the darkened palaces of proud Pharaoh? Note; The soul in a cottage, enjoying the light of God’s countenance, is unspeakably more happy than the greatest monarch that walks in the darkness of sin.
3. Pharaoh again sounds a parley, advances a little farther. Moses is peremptory; a hoof shall not be left behind. Note; False repentance is always partial, and some secret sin is reserved: true repentance is universal, in renouncing every known evil. Allowedly, not a hoof must be left behind.
4. Mad with rage, Pharaoh thrusts him out, and threatens him with death, if he dare ever appear in his presence again. Impotent threats! The ungodly gnash with their teeth, and pine away. Moses consents to his commands, and leaves him quickly with juster indignation. That soul, that people, that place, who thrust out God’s ministers from them, and have the dust of their feet shaken off for a testimony against them, are then, most probably, past recovery.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
REFLECTIONS
There is not a more important reflection to be kept alive in the human mind, than that both the creation and government of the whole world of intellectual and spiritual beings is for the divine glory. The praise ascribed to Jehovah in heaven, corresponds to what all things teach us here on earth. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power: for thou hast created all things; and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Blessed God! let it be my happiness to record thy praises, and to speak of all the signs and wonders which thou hast wrought in a way of redeeming my soul, and the souls of all thy people, from the house of spiritual bondage, in the accomplishment of which thou hast subdued Egypt and destroyed it, and scattered thine enemies abroad with a mighty hand. Oh! may it be written upon my heart with the pencil of the living God, that it is not by might, nor by power in ourselves, that thou hast brought us out; but by thy right hand, thine arm, and the light of thy countenance. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord, and thy blessing is upon thy people.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 10:29 And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more.
Ver. 29. Thou hast spoken well, ] q.d., When I see thee next, do thy pleasure by me. a This was an act of faith in him, whereby he “feared not the wrath of the king.” Heb 11:27 So when Valens, the Arian Emperor, threatened Basil with bonds and banishment, Pueris illa terriculamenta proponat, said he; Let him threaten boys with those tortures. The emperor may take away my life, but not my faith; my head, but not my crown.
a .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
no more. Moses did not leave Pharaoh’s presence till Exo 11:8. So this is the Figure of speech Prolepsis (App-6).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
I will see: Exo 11:4-8, Exo 12:30, Exo 12:31, Heb 11:27
Reciprocal: Act 8:1 – except
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Exo 10:29. I will see thy face no more Namely, after this time, for this conference did not break off till Exo 11:8, when Moses went out in great anger, and told Pharaoh how soon his proud stomach would come down; which was fulfilled Exo 12:31, when Pharaoh became an humble supplicant to Moses to depart. So that after this interview Moses came no more till he was sent for.