A good land and a large, &c.— The land of Canaan is here described as good and large, and abounding with plenty; flowing with milk and honey, a proverbial expression, denoting plenty; and, as such, frequently used, not only in the Scriptures, but also in prophane writers. So Euripides, speaking of a country, says, that it flows with milk and honey, and the nectar of bees. The fertility of Canaan is manifest from the number of inhabitants which it maintained, as well as from the attestation of various writers: nor can any objection to the Scripture-account arise from its present barrenness, which is owing to its want of inhabitants and cultivation; though there may also be at present a curse resting upon it. It is called, a large land, not only with respect to the narrow tract of Goshen, to which the children of Israel were now confined; but also, in reference to the whole of the territories, to which their future conquests should extend.
REFLECTIONS.—1. God here begins to open his designs toward his people. He observes their sorrows and oppression, and hears their cry; and will not only deliver them from it, but bring them into the land promised, to their fathers, and of slaves maketh them princes. Thus shall Jesus not only bring us from the bondage of our corruptions, but raise us up to be kings on thrones of glory.
2. He sends Moses his ambassador to demand their release. The weak things in God's hands are mighty. A shepherd brings Israel from Egypt: afterwards, a few despised fishermen lay the foundations of the Christian church, against which all the powers of earth, or malice of devils, never could, and never shall prevail.