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for the people, because "Israel is my son, even my firstborn," andHe threatened, in
case of Pharaoh's refusal, "to slay" his "son," even the king's "firstborn." So terriblea
threat was to prove the earnestness of the Divine demand and purpose. On the other
hand, the tidegiven to Israel implied that God would not leave "His firstborn" in the
bondage of Egypt. In thecontest with Pharaoh Jehovah would surely prevail. That
precious relationship between God and Hispeople, which was fully established in the
covenant at Mount Sinai, (Exodus 19:5) might be said tohave commenced with the
call of Abraham. Israel was "the son of God" by election, by grace, andby adoption
(Deuteronomy 32:18; Isaiah 64:8; Jeremiah 3:4; Malachi 1:6; 2:10) As such, the
Lordwould never withdraw His love from him, (Hosea 11:1; Jeremiah 31:9-20) but
pity him even as afather his children; (Psalm 103:13) and, although He would chasten
the people for their sins, yetwould He not withdraw His mercy from them. Such a
relationship is nowhere else in the OldTestament indicated as subsisting between God
and any other nation. But it is exceedingly significantthat Israel is only called "the
firstborn." For this conveys that Israel was not to be alone in the familyof God, but
that, in accordance with the promise to Abraham, other sons should be born into
theFather's house. Thus even the highest promise spoken to Israel included in it the
assurance of futureblessing to the Gentiles.
And yet he who was to declare Israel the heir to this precious legacy was himself at
the time living inneglect of the sign of that very covenant! His own second son had
not been circumcised accordingto the Divine commandment (Genesis 17:14) -
whether from neglect, owing to faith discouraged, or,more probably, as we gather
from the subsequent conduct of Zipporah, on account of his wife'sopposition, which in
his depressed circumstances he could not overcome. But judgment must beginat the
house of God; and no one is fit to be employed as an instrument for God who in any
way livesin neglect of His commandments. God met even His chosen servant Moses
as an enemy. His life wasin imminent danger, and Zipporah had to submit, however
reluctantly, to the ordinance of God. Buther mood and manner showed that as yet she
was not prepared to be Moses' helpmate in the workbefore him. He seems to have
understood this, and to have sent her and the children back to hisfather-in-law. Only at
a later period, when he had "heard of all that God had done for Moses and forIsrael
His people," did Jethro himself bring them again to Moses. (Exodus 18:1-7)
Thus purged from the leaven of sin, Moses continued his journey. Once more God had
anticipatedHis servant's difficulties; we might almost say, the fulfillment of His own
promises. Already He haddirected Aaron "to go into the wilderness to meet Moses."
At the mount of God the two brothersmet, and Aaron willingly joined the Divine
mission of Moses. Arrived in Egypt, they soon "gatheredtogether all the elders of the
children of Israel." At hearing of the gracious tidings which Aaronannounced, and at
sight of "the signs" with which he attested them, it is said, "they bowed their headsand
worshipped." Then God had not forsaken His people whom He foreknew! So then, not
(^)