Exodus 2:23-25 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage… I. THE KING DYING. 1. He was despotic in his rule. Unmoved by human suffering. 2. He was vindictive in his temper. 3. He was altogether out of sympathy with the providential arrangements of God. And now he dies. The despot meets with the conqueror. He must appear before the God whose authority he has tried to dethrone. The folly — woe — eternal ruin of sin. II. THE PEOPLE SUFFERING. 1. Their suffering was tyrannic. Freedom lost. Spirit broken. 2. Their suffering was intense. "Sighed." 3. Their suffering was long continued. 4. Their suffering appealed to the Infinite.Suffering should link our souls to God. It should be an inspiration to prayer. III. GOD REIGNING. 1. God reigns, though kings die. Wisdom of trusting only in the Infinite. 2. God reigns, though men suffer. Realize the Divine Rulership. 3. God reigns in harmony with His covenant made with the good.The Divine will is not capricious, but benevolent in design, and continuous in operation. Let every nation and family have a covenant with God. Lessons: 1. Do not despond in times of affliction. 2. Afflictions are designed to bring us into harmony with the requirements of God's covenant for our good. 3. It is the purpose of God to work the freedom and welfare of men. (J. S. Exell, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. |
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