Commentary on Harmony of the Law Volume 1 Complete John Calvin (continued)
HARMONY OF THE LAW · VOLUME 1 and exportation of merchandise; the fertility of their fields arose from its inundations; in a word, Egypt attributed the chief part of its prosperity to the Nile. But now God gives warning not only that it should not profit the Egyptians, but that it was in His power to turn all its advantages into injuries; nay, that the very stream which used to fertilize their land by its irrigation, should cover and defile it with blood. With respect to the words, the "voice of the sign" is figuratively applied to mean a demonstration of the power of God, by which the Israelites might be taught that Moses was sent them by God as their deliverer. For although the rod turned into a serpent could not speak, yet very loudly, indeed, did it announce, that what the Israelites deemed altogether impossible, would not be difficult to God. Others thus resolve the particleאת,51 "If they will not believe your voice, because of the sign;" but the former interpretation is more correct. The meaning of the expression, however, is added soon afterwards, in this distinction — "If they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice;" as though God had said, that His power cried out, or thundered in His miracles, to obtain a hearing for the teaching of His servant.
Exodus 4:10-17
10. And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant; but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.
10. Tunc dixit Moses ad Jehovam, Obsecro Domine, ego non sum vir disertus, neque a die hesterno, neque nudius tertius, neque ex quo locutus es servo tuo: quoniam ore lento, et lingua lenta ego sum.
11. And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? Or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?
11. Respondit autem illi Jehova, Quis posuit os in homine? aut quis statuit mutum, vel surdum, aut videntem, vel caecum? annon ego Jehova?
12. Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
12. Nunc igitur proficiscere, et ego adero ori tuo, et te docebo quae loquaris.
noun substantive translated a sign, andאתthe particle indicating an accusative case, are the same word in Hebrew, if points are not used. Hence Calvin has called the אתhere a particle, though avowedly commenting upon its purport as a noun. — W