An Exposition of Genesis, Exodus · Summary
April 10. 1659.HAving through mercy dispatched the explication of the first Book of Scripture, which contained the History of the original and propagation of the Church for the space of 2369 years, we shall now go on, following the steps of the Spirit in his succeeding History of Gods providence to his Church, as it is recorded in the second Book of sacred Scripture, which discovereth eminent events for the space of 142 years from the death of Joseph: which is made apparent by this calculation.
1. From Josephs death to the birth of Moses are conceived to passe, 60 years.
2. From the birth of Moses to Israels going out of Egypt, 81 years.
3. From Israels egresse to the setting up of the Tabernacle, 1 year. The whole make up 142. Within this compasse of time, the whole Book of Leviticus and some part of Numbers are comprehended, as also of Deuteronomy.
About this Book generally I shall premise,
1. The Author to be Gods own Spirit, and the Penman Moses, which Christ owneth, Mark. 12.26.
2. The name or title inscribed, according to the Hebrew to be the two first words of the Book, These the names. But by the Greek, which Lat. and Engl. and others follow, to be EXODUS, signifying the egresse of Israel out of Egypt. This being the main contents of the first part of the Book.
3. The scope to be a good testimony of Gods faithfulnes in all his promises to Adam and to Abraham, about the meanes of restoring sinners, and that fitted to a double use.
1. To give a sufficient revelation at that time concerning the way of saving sinners, by the onelyonly meanes of reconciliation, the son of God comming in the flesh, suffering, dying and rising, that they then might believe.
2. To be a standing witnes of Gods grace in Christ, to save sinners, when he should come into the flesh, that the Church might know unto the end of the world, that Moses wrote of Christ. And together with this to let all ages know, the various issues, either of believing, or refusing and tempting God in Christ; that he may be glorified in all.
4. The contents or matter of this book to be an history partly of things acted and done by God to Israel, and by them to him; partly of doctrine, which then God delivered to them, which was in summe the additional Covenant, given to that of promise formerly made to Adam and to Abraham. So stiled. Gal. 3.19.
5. The distribution or analysis of the whole book into its parts to be thus.
1. The most general heads or parts are two.
1. The history of things acted from Chap. 1. to Chap. 19.
2. The history of doctrine and discipline setled by God in his Church, from Ch. 19. to the end.
In the former head are considerable,
1. The History of events before Israels egresse from Egypt, from Chap. 1. to 12.
2. The history of their departure. Chap. 12.
3. The history of events after that egresse, Chap. 13, 14.
In the first of these we have to consider,
1. The occasion of this egresse recorded, Chap. 1.
2. The preparatory acts of God hereunto.
1. Raising instruments, Cha. 2, 3, 4.
2. Sending them about the work, and that.
1. In speaking Gods mind.
1. To Israel, Ch. 4, 29.
2. To Pharaoh, Ch. 5.
3. To Israel again C. 6, 7,
2. In working miracles of two sorts,
1. Of strange effects to confirm their message only,Miracles Chap. 7, 8, 13.
2. Of strange judgments to punish obstinacy also from Ch. 7, v. 14. to the end of the 11th Ch. and part of the 12th.Signal. Penal.
The other two heads of historical facts I shall subdivide when I come to them & so also the general history of doctrine.
Now to take up the first head noted, which is the occasion of Israels deliverance from Egypt, this is related in the first Chapter.
Herein two things occurre, which make up the occasion of Gods visiting them.
1. Gods blessing on them to increase, Ver. 1, 7.
2. The Egyptians envy at their good, Ver. 8, &c.