John Calvin Commentary Exodus 11:3

"And Jehovah gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh`s servants, and in the sight of the people." — Exodus 11:3 (ASV)

And the Lord gave ¹³⁵ the people favor. Because the Israelites never could have hoped that the Egyptians, who had before rapaciously stripped them of everything, would become so kind and generous to them, Moses declares that people's hearts are turned this way or that by God.

For, as the Psalm testifies, the Egyptians were impelled by Him to hate His people, (Psalms 105:25), so that He might make way for their glorious deliverance. In the same way, He was also able to incline them in the opposite direction, so that they would freely give what they had previously harshly refused, and not without threats and blows.

This doctrine is exceedingly useful to know because, when people are harsh and cruel to us, it teaches us patience, while we are assured that the passions of wicked people only thus assail us, insofar as God would chastise our sins, and exercise and humble us.

It also affords considerable consolation to alleviate our pains and seasonably arouses us to call upon God, that He would turn the minds of our enemies from brutality and unkindness to gentleness.

It appears from many passages that this was always the persuasion of all the pious. Unquestionably, the expression of Jacob to his sons, God Almighty give (dabit) you mercy before the man, was founded on this general feeling (Genesis 43:14). But, since Scripture is full of such testimonies, let it be enough to have quoted this single one.

Again, God does not always incline people to mercy by the Spirit of regeneration, so that they are changed from wolves to lambs. Instead, sometimes by His secret inspiration He softens them for a short time, though they do not know it, as we read here concerning the Egyptians.

In the second clause of the verse, where it is said, Moreover the man Moses, etc., an inferior and subordinate reason is given. This reason served both to change the Egyptians and to encourage the Israelites, so that both of them reverently deferred to his words. For although this whole matter was governed by the power of God alone, still He did not act simply by Himself. Having chosen Moses as His minister, He assigned¹³⁶ a certain charge to him.

Hence the veneration that made the Egyptians, as well as the Israelites, obedient to him, so that his labor might not be in vain. He speaks, indeed, only of the Egyptian nation (for after having spoken of the land first, he adds two divisions: Pharaoh’s servants, i.e., the nobles and courtiers, and then the common people, for that is how I understand the word people in this place); however, we shall soon see that the miracles also had a good effect on the Israelites, so that they would more readily believe and obey.

But this passage teaches us that God’s servants are often prized and honored where, however, faith in their doctrine is not possessed. For although the Egyptians reverence and highly esteem Moses, they do not therefore incline to seek¹³⁷ piety. And so, the wicked often fear God Himself when influenced by particular circumstances, and yet do not devote themselves to His service.

¹³⁵ Lat., “dabit.”., “dabit.”

¹³⁶ “Il luy a laisse ce qui estoit de sa charge et vocation;” he left to him what pertained to his charge and calling. — Fr..

¹³⁷ “A craindre Dieu d’une droite affection.” — Fr..