“Nevertheless thy saints had a very great light, whose voice they hearing, and not seeing their shape, because they also had not suffered the same things, they counted them happy.”
Their. The Hebrews’ (Menochius) or rather the Egyptians’ voice. The land of Gossen was preserved from these horrors, (Calmet) though such Egyptians as might be found there, were exposed to them; and their dismal lamentations made the people of God appreciate their own happiness. They are styled saints, (Haydock) as the Church is holy, and has always some saints in her society. Out of it there is no sanctity. (Worthington)
“Instead whereof thou gavest them a burning pillar of fire, both to be a guide of the unknown journey, and an harmless sun to entertain them honourably.”
Therefore. “Instead of those things, ” (Greek) darkness and complaints, (Haydock) God led away his people in triumph. (Habacuc iii. 3.) — A harmless sun. A light that should not hurt or molest them; but that should be an agreeable guest to them; (Challoner) or the desert should receive them, where they should be provided with food. (Menochius)
“For they were worthy to be deprived of light and imprisoned in darkness, who had kept thy sons shut up, by whom the uncorrupt light of the law was to be given unto the world.”
Was. Literally, “began.” (Haydock) — In Egypt, the Hebrews themselves were unacquainted with the law, which was given at their arrival at Sinai, and by means of the Greek version, and the propagation of the gospel, it was more divulged. (Calmet) — The unwritten law was, however, better preserved in that nation, than in any other: and the Jews were selected, in order that they might communicate the treasure to all. (Haydock)
“And when they had determined to slay the babes of the saints, one child being cast forth, and saved, to reprove them, thou tookest away the multitude of their children, and destroyedst them altogether in a mighty water.”
One child. Viz., Moses. (Challoner) — He was preserved to be the leader of the Hebrews, when the Egyptians were drowned (Worthington) in the Red Sea. (Menochius)
“Of that night were our fathers certified afore, that assuredly knowing unto what oaths they had given credence, they might afterwards be of good cheer.”
Fathers. God had assured the patriarchs, that he would visit his people, and Moses had told them what would take place, during the night of their deliverance, Exodus iv. 22., and xi. 4. (Calmet)
“For the righteous children of good men did sacrifice secretly, and with one consent made a holy law, that the saints should be like partakers of the same good and evil, the fathers now singing out the songs of praise.”
Men. The patriarchs. Their children, the Israelites, offered in private the sacrifice of the paschal lamb; and were regulating what they were to do in their journey, when that last and most dreadful plague was coming upon their enemies. (Challoner) — Alike. The feast was a bond of union with God and their neighbour, (Calmet) and the Hebrews resolved to be always true to one another both in prosperity and adversity. (Haydock) — Fathers. Abraham, &c. Songs usually accompanied feasts, and the promises made to the patriarchs filled the Hebrews with confidence that they would shortly take possession of Chanaan. (Calmet)
“So they all together had innumerable dead with one kind of death; neither were the living sufficient to bury them: for in one moment the noblest offspring of them was destroyed.”
Noblest. The first-born (Challoner) of Pharao, and those of slaves and cattle, were slain, Exodus xii. (Calmet)
“For while all things were in quiet silence, and that night was in the midst of her swift course,”
Course. This description of the decree, or angel of the Lord, is most magnificent. The Church applies it to Christ’s nativity, who is thought to have been born at midnight. (Calmet) — It insinuated his coming, when the world should enjoy a profound peace, though buried in the darkness of ignorance. (Worthington)
“Then suddenly visions of horrible dreams troubled them sore, and terrors came upon them unlooked for.”
Visions. These informed the Egyptians, that their miseries were not to be attributed to any natural cause. The dying proclaimed the same, as Moses had done, Exodus xi. 4.
“For when the dead were now fallen down by heaps one upon another, standing between, he stayed the wrath, and parted the way to the living.”
Living. Whom the angel was prevented from attacking, Numbers xvi. 47. (Calmet)
“For in the long garment was the whole world, and in the four rows of the stones was the glory of the fathers graven, and thy Majesty upon the diadem of his head.”
Priestly. Literally, robe of the poderis, (Haydock) “reaching down to the feet,” and made of sky-blue linen, with pomegranates and bells at the bottom. (Calmet) — The colours represented the four elements. (Haydock) — See St. Jerome, ep. cxxviii.; Josephus, [Jewish Antiquities?] iii. 8. — Fathers. The twelve descendants of Jacob, whose names appeared in the stones of the breast-plate, Exodus xxviii. 17. — Majesty. On a golden plate worn by the high priest on his forehead, was inscribed “Holiness to the Lord.” (Ibid.[Exodus?] xxxvi.) (Calmet) — Sanctitas Jehova. (Menochius)
“Unto these the destroyer gave place, and was afraid of them: for it was enough that they only tasted of the wrath.”
Afraid. Or shewed a regard for them. (Haydock) — Great is the power of a saint, of holy vestments, and of prayer. (Menochius) — Enough. God did not intend to exterminate his people, as he had done the first-born of Egypt. (Calmet)