Israel is my son, &c.— See Psalms 89:27; Psalms 2:7. This phrase is expressive of God's peculiar regard and favour to the people of Israel; whom he had chosen and adopted, as it were, to share the first and greatest privileges of his children, and to be the grand repositories of his best blessings to mankind.
REFLECTIONS.—We may observe here, 1. Moses taking leave of his father-in-law. We must never be wanting in respect to our parents, whatever calls of duty may be upon us. 2. God speaks farther to him for his encouragement. His old enemies in Egypt are dead. His fears are thus silenced: not that he should find Pharaoh favourable: though the miracles be wrought before him, he will be obstinate; but he shall suffer for it. We must expect to find in the work of the ministry many a heart like Pharaoh's. 3. Moses takes his family along with him. They who are hearty in God's cause, are very willing to hazard all in his service.