Psalm 105:23-36
23 Then Israel entered Egypt, Jacob immigrated to the Land of Ham. 24 God gave his people lots of babies; soon their numbers alarmed their foes.
25 He turned the Egyptians against his people; they abused and cheated God's servants. 26 Then he sent his servant Moses, and Aaron, whom he also chose. 27 They worked marvels in that spiritual wasteland, miracles in the Land of Ham. 28 He spoke, "Darkness!" and it turned dark - they couldn't see what they were doing. 29 He turned all their water to blood so that all their fish died; 30 He made frogs swarm through the land, even into the king's bedroom; 31 He gave the word and flies swarmed, gnats filled the air. 32 He substituted hail for rain, he stabbed their land with lightning; 33 He wasted their vines and fig trees, smashed their groves of trees to splinters; 34 With a word he brought in locusts, millions of locusts, armies of locusts; 35 They consumed every blade of grass in the country and picked the ground clean of produce; 36 He struck down every firstborn in the land, the first fruits of their virile powers.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 105:23-36
Commentary on Psalm 105:8-23
(Read Psalm 105:8-23)
Let us remember the Redeemer's marvellous works, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth. Though true Christians are few number, strangers and pilgrims upon earth, yet a far better inheritance than Canaan is made sure to them by the covenant of God; and if we have the anointing of the Holy Spirit, none can do us any harm. Afflictions are among our mercies. They prove our faith and love, they humble our pride, they wean us from the world, and quicken our prayers. Bread is the staff which supports life; when that staff is broken, the body fails and sinks to the earth. The word of God is the staff of spiritual life, the food and support of the soul: the sorest judgment is a famine of hearing the word of the Lord. Such a famine was sore in all lands when Christ appeared in the flesh; whose coming, and the blessed effect of it, are shadowed forth in the history of Joseph. At the appointed time Christ was exalted as Mediator; all the treasures of grace and salvation are at his disposal, perishing sinners come to him, and are relieved by him.
Commentary on Psalm 105:24-45
(Read Psalm 105:24-45)
As the believer commonly thrives best in his soul when under the cross; so the church also flourishes most in true holiness, and increases in number, while under persecution. Yet instruments shall be raised up for their deliverance, and plagues may be expected by persecutors. And see the special care God took of his people in the wilderness. All the benefits bestowed on Israel as a nation, were shadows of spiritual blessings with which we are blessed in Christ Jesus. Having redeemed us with his blood, restored our souls to holiness, and set us at liberty from Satan's bondage, he guides and guards us all the way. He satisfies our souls with the bread of heaven, and the water of life from the Rock of salvation, and will bring us safely to heaven. He redeems his servants from all iniquity, and purifies them unto himself, to be a peculiar people, zealous of good works.