Exodus 3

Exodus 3:1

THE back side] Seeking for fresh pstures, further into the Desert Of God] This mountain got this name as well by reason of this vision, as chiefely because God did chuse it, and consecrate it, to bee as it were his tribunall of glory, out of which he pronounced his Law. Exo〈…〉 11 Horeb] It should seeme this was the gen〈◊〉 name of all that row of mountaines, and that Sinai was the particular name of that mountaine from which the Law was given.

Exodus 3:2

The Angel] Which was the sonne of God himselfe, which appeareth by that he is called the everlasting Lord. verse 4. 6, 7. 14 Deuteronomy 33:16. Mark 12:26. And Angel by reason of Mediator. See Genesis 16:7 In a lae] The flame signifieth the presence of God in power and spirit, the bush represents the Church, as well for her meane and weak condition in the world: As also because in her sinfull nature she cannot subsist before the devouring fire of Gods Majesty, no more than thornes can endure the materiall fire, Isa. 9. 18. and 27. 4. 5. and 33. 14. But God tempereth his prsence in such sort, that it doth not make it feele the hurtfull effcts of the fire, but the comfortable enlightning of it, warming and purifying it. See Isa. 4. 4. 10. 17.

And it is also signified that the afflictions of the world cannot disannull the Church. Psalme 129. 2. Isaiah 43:2.

Exodus 3:5

Draw not nigh] No nearer than thou art, to shew the reverence that is due to Gods Majesty, and how all rash curiosity ought to be avoyded. See Exo. 19. 12. 21 Put off] A figure of the cleansing from the filth of sinne, required of everyone that drawes neare to God, Hebrews 10:22. sinne, wherewith the faithfull man is yet spotted, through the contagion of the world, being compared to the dirt upon ones feet or shoes, John 13:10. Wherefore the Jewes, though without any expresse commandement, did not come into the Temple, but bare-foot, and washed Holy ground] Through my presence, and so long as I shall appeare in it, not for any inherent or perpetuall quality.

Exodus 3:6

Hee was afraid] See upon the sixetenth Chapter of Genesis and the thirteenth verse: and the sixth Chapter of Isaiah, and the second Verse.

Exodus 3:7

I know] The Italian hath it, have taken notice] as Exodus 2:1-25; Exodus 25:1-40.

Exodus 3:8

I am come downe] See Gen. 11. 7. 18. 21 Unto the place] and into their habitation.

Exodus 3:11

Who am I] What meanes have I to doe this, being in that misery, and exiled, as I now find my selfe? Moses knew when hee was in Egypt, that hee was ordained thereunto. See Exodus, chapter the second, verse the twelfth. But it seemeth that hee then beleeved hee should free the people through the favour and power which he had in Egypt; and having lst that, he might now think that he was loosed from his bond: Seeing hee wanted meanes to accomplish it.

Exodus 3:12

Shall be a token unto thee] As in this place I tell thee thy calling; so hereafter in the same place, I will give thee an expresse remembrance and assurance of it; for thou shalt here receive my Law concerning my service, and here thou shalt aso begin to exercise thy calling. So in Scripture oftentimes signes are taken from future things, when God will assure the continuance of the thing promised, which is not yet to come in long time. See the first booke of Samuel, the second Chapter, and the foure and thirtieth Verse. And the second book of Kings, the nineteenth Chapter, and the nine and twentieth Verse. And the seventh Chapter of Isaiah and the fourteenth Verse. And the second Chapter of John, the eighteenth and nineteenth verses.

Exodus 3:13

What is] Not that the people was altogether ignorant of the true God, or of the sacred names, under which hee had revealed himselfe to the ancient Fathers, but because Gods common names had beene transferred to the Creatures, and given to Idolls: and also because the Nations wee divided into severall Religions, and superstitious, and had particular names for their owne proper Deities. Moses therefore desireth God to reveale some particular, and incommunicable name unto him, by which the people may distinguish him from the false Gods of Egypt, and they themselves may be distinguished in their religion from all prophane nations.

Exodus 3:14

I am] I am the onely true God, truely subsisting, and not onely through the opinion of men as Idolls are, that have an everlasting being, unchangeable, subsisting of it selfe, not depending from others, infinite, most simple, the author of all things: Not borrowed, changeable, finite, dependent, and compounded, as all other creatures are. Of this mine essence will I give thee the highest, expressest, and most generall name; he that is, which hath remained in ue amongst the Hebrewes, and was then first revealed by God: Exodus, chapt. 6. vers. 3.

Exodus 3:15

The Lord God] In the Hebrew the Text there’s the same aforesayd name, framed in the third person. He that is, in stead of the first, I am what I am: which following the reverent custom of the ancient Jewes, and the Apostles themselves, wee interpret with the word Lord Memoriall] whereas Idolaters doe faine divers representations and remembrances, this my glorious and speciall name shal serve to put you in mind at all times, who is your God, See Isaiah 57:8. Hosea 12:9.

Exodus 3:16

The Elders] The heads of the people, who either by reason of their age or being the first borne, or through election, had the government of it: and it is likely they were seventy in number, according to the seventy soules which came into Egypt. See Exodus 24:9. Numbers 11:16 Visited] See Genesis 50:24.

Exodus 3:18

Hath met us] Hath appeared unto us unrequested. Thus will God have his grace acknowledged, which pveventeth all humane motion and endeavour, and also that through his authority they might be blamelesse before Pharaoh Let us goe] God would indeed quite deliver his people, and doth not command this dissimulation, but will have Pharaoh’s malice & tyranny discovered, throgh this so just request, thereby to draw Gods judgements upon him, because that when the inferiour power differeth from the supreame, man is freed from the inferiour, and is bound to follow the supream one.

Exodus 3:19

By a mighty] See Ex. 6. 1. and 13. 3. and Psalms 136:12.

Exodus 3:21

Favour] That they shall freely lend them whatsoever they shall desire. See Genesis 39:21. Palme 106. 46. Proverbs 16:7. Daniel 1:9.

Exodus 3:22

Shall borrow] According to the Egyptians intent. Exodus 12:36. Though Gods command be absolute to borrow, without saying to what purpose. Now howsoever it be, the Egyptians presently after this, moved warre against the Israelites, and did unjustly assault them: So that by right their spoyles belonged to the victors, who were assaulted. which was brought to passe by Gods secret providence, to recompence his people for the slavery which they had endured in Egypt. See Genesis 31:9.