I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians— That is, I will suffer the hearts of the Egyptians to be hardened by their own violent and infatuating passions. See the note on ch. Exodus 9:34. I will get me honour] The original word signifies, to be glorified. Exodus 14:19. The Angel of God, which went] The Divine Messenger and Leader of the Israelites, who, as we have heretofore shewn, was Christ, caused the miraculous pillar to intervene between them and the Egyptians, in such a manner, that it gave perfect light in the night (in that night, about the beginning of which the dreadful order was given to Moses, Exodus 14:16.) to the Israelites, while it was complete darkness to the Egyptians, and entirely secluded the host of Israel from their sight, Exodus 14:20. Houbigant remarks, that it is plain, from this place, that the cloud was dark on one side, and lucid on the other.
REFLECTIONS.—Moses speaks the language of confidence to the people, and lifts up his heart in prayer to God. Prayer and faith are mutual helpers: faith quickens prayer, and prayer strengthens faith, Observe,
1. God's direction to Moses: Go forward. Whither, into the sea? No, to the sea, and trust for the rest. Note; However dangerous and dark the way of duty; when we go forward, God will take care of the event. The sea shall be divided; and that which affords a passage to Israel, shall be the grave of the Egyptians. Thus God will get honour from both; in his mercies on the one, in his judgments on the other. Note; The damnation of the sinner shall as surely redound to the glory of God, as the salvation of his saints.
2. The guard he sets to preserve his people from the Egyptians. The cloud removes between them; a light to guide the one through the sea, and a barrier to prevent the other from approaching to hurt them. This pillar of the cloud still stands in the same aspect. To the impenitent sinner, every prospect is covered with darkness: to the child of God, light surrounds his path: and as their present ways are directed, so will be their end. The darkness of sin will lead down to the darkness of eternal death: the light of Grace will conduct us to eternal light and life in glory.