Pharaoh charged all his people— This was, most probably, enjoined under severe penalties; and that, as it appears from the next chapter, not only upon the Egyptians, who were to see the order executed; but also upon the Israelites, who were to execute it themselves. The Lacedemonians, Calmet observes, used to destroy the children of their slaves, lest they should increase too much. This cruel order of the king was not published till after the birth of Aaron, and it was probably revoked soon after the birth of Moses: for if it had subsisted in its rigour, during the whole eighty-six years servitude, the number of Israelites capable of bearing arms would not have been so great as Moses mentions, Numbers 2. There would have been none but old men among them.
REFLECTIONS.—1. When God's people are the objects of enmity, persecutors often divest themselves not only of pity, but humanity. 2. From the midwives' disobedience we may observe, that where we must disobey God or man, there can be no hesitation. He that fears God, as these midwives, will rather risk the loss of man's favour, nay, of life too, than of his own soul by sin. 3. From God's kindness to them we see, that none who serve his people shall do it without wages, especially in suffering seasons. 4. From the bloody edicts of the king, we may learn, (1.) That disappointed rage usually makes men more furious. (2.) That the patience of the saints must be proved by trial upon trial.