Commentary on Genesis and Exodus, Book 2 · Chapter 15 · Moral observations
6. Places of Morall Observations.
1. Observ. Against vaine confidence in strength or riches.
Vers. 4. HIs chosen captaines were drowned also in the red sea. Notwithstanding, their great power, nobility, favour with the King, skill in feats of warre, the Lord being mightier than they, and a greater man of warre, was able to confound and overthrow them: this sheweth that no man should put confidence in his nobility, power, riches. Ferus. As the Prophet saith, Ierem. 4.23. Let not the wiseman glory in his wisdome, nor the strong man glory in his strength, neither the rich man glory in his riches, &c.
2. Observ. The enemies of the Church are the enemies of God.
Vers. 7. THou hast overthrowne them, that rise against thee. They which are enemies unto the Church, the Lord holdeth them to be his enemies: they which rise against his people, doe set themselves against the Lord: as the Lord Jesus said to Saul, Why persecutest thou me▪ Simler. They then, which oppose themselves to the Church and people of God, doe bid battell to the Lord himselfe, and hee will take their cause in his owne hand, and maintaine it.
3. Observ. Sinne presseth downe to hell.
Vers. 10. THey sunke as lead in the mighty waters. Sinne is heavy, and presseth downe, ye… it weigheth downe to hell: Examinemus ergo nos per poenitentiam ne deprimamur gravitate pec…atorum usque in profundum: Let us therefore examine our selves by repentance, lest wee bee pressed downe with the weight of our sinnes, into the deepe. Ferus. So the Apostle exhorteth, That wee should cast away everything that presseth downe▪ and sinne that hangeth on so fast, Hebr. 12.1.
4. Observ. Not to give over to goe on in our calling, notwithstanding the unthankefulnesse of men.
Vers. 24. THen the people murmured against Moses, and he cried unto the Lord. Moses notwithstanding the peoples murmuring, goeth on in his calling, and leaveth not off to pray for them, though they were a very stubborne and ungratefull people: this teacheth the servants of God, to goe on with courage in their calling, notwithstanding, the evill acceptance in the world of their labours: Ministers must looke for small thanke at the hands of men, for their paines: nor yet must such as labour, either by preaching or writing, to propagate the knowledge of the truth, looke for their reward among men: nay it ought to be a comfort unto them, that they find not their reward here, for it is a sure signe, that a greater reward is laid up for them in heaven: As the Lord saith by his Prophet Ieremy, R…fraine thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from teares, for thy worke shall be rewarded, Ierem. 31.16. As Moses here prayeth for a murmuring and unthankfull people; the like doth Samuel, God forbid that I should sinne against the Lord, and cease praying for you, but I will shew you the good and right way, 1. Sam. 1….23.
5. Observ. Obedience the best remedy against sicknesse.
Vers. 26. IF thou wilt keepe all his ordinances, then I will put none of these evill diseases upon thee. The best medicine then, against diseases and sicknesse, is obedience, and to walke in the feare of God. Osiander. And sinne is that which causeth dis…ases: as S. Paul sheweth, that divers among the Corinthians, were some sicke, some weake, some were fallen asleepe, because of certaine abuses, which they committed in celebrating the Lords Supper: And in the same place, the Apostle sheweth the best remedy: that they should judge themselves, (by repentance and amendment of life) and then they should not bee judged of the Lord, by sicknesse, mortality, and other such judgements, 1. Cor. 11.30, 31.
6. Observ. After heavinesse commeth joy.
Vers. 27. ANd they came to Elim, where were twelve fountaines, &c. After they had gone thorow d…y and barren places, the Lord bringeth them to a pleasant and comfortable station: thus the Lord after heavinesse sendeth comfort, after labour rest, after affliction prosperity. Simler. As it is in the Psalme, Weeping may abide in the evening, but joy commeth in the morning, Psal. 30.5.