Psalm 105:23-36
23 Israel also came into Egypt.
Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. 24 He increased his people greatly,
and made them stronger than their adversaries.
25 He turned their heart to hate his people,
to conspire against his servants. 26 He sent Moses, his servant,
and Aaron, whom he had chosen. 27 They performed miracles among them,
and wonders in the land of Ham. 28 He sent darkness, and made it dark.
They didn’t rebel against his words. 29 He turned their waters into blood,
and killed their fish. 30 Their land swarmed with frogs,
even in the chambers of their kings. 31 He spoke, and swarms of flies came,
and lice in all their borders. 32 He gave them hail for rain,
with lightning in their land. 33 He struck their vines and also their fig trees,
and shattered the trees of their country. 34 He spoke, and the locusts came,
and the grasshoppers, without number, 35 ate up every plant in their land;
and ate up the fruit of their ground. 36 He struck also all the firstborn in their land,
the first fruits of all their manhood.
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.