And the Lord gave— This, perhaps, might be better rendered, the Lord will give. The Vulgate, Samaritan, Houbigant, &c. render it in the future. Some imagine that the clause following was mentioned as the reason why Pharaoh did not attempt any thing against the person of Moses; whom all his people now considered as the immediate messenger of GOD, and, consequently, held in most high veneration.
REFLECTIONS.—They who despised Moses at first, begin to fear and honour him at last. God gives him his last directions. Israel had served for no wages long enough; God will now repay them in the jewels of Egypt. Some way or other, they who suffer for him shall obtain their reward. God has a short work to do: one stroke more, and then they shall be as earnest to thrust them out, as before to hold them prisoners. Note; There is one judgment yet to come after this life against sinners, which shall humble them, in a bad sense, if nothing else does.