22 Then say to Pharaoh, 'This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son,
22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, 'Thus says the Lord, Israel is my firstborn son,
22 Then you are to tell Pharaoh, 'God's Message: Israel is my son, my firstborn!
22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, 'Thus says the Lord: "Israel is My son, My firstborn.
22 Then you will tell him, 'This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son.
15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
15 We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God's original purpose in everything created.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
15 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation,
(Read Colossians 1:15-23)
Christ in his human nature, is the visible discovery of the invisible God, and he that hath seen Him hath seen the Father. Let us adore these mysteries in humble faith, and behold the glory of the Lord in Christ Jesus. He was born or begotten before all the creation, before any creature was made; which is the Scripture way of representing eternity, and by which the eternity of God is represented to us. All things being created by Him, were created for him; being made by his power, they were made according to his pleasure, and for his praise and glory. He not only created them all at first, but it is by the word of his power that they are upheld. Christ as Mediator is the Head of the body, the church; all grace and strength are from him; and the church is his body. All fulness dwells in him; a fulness of merit and righteousness, of strength and grace for us. God showed his justice in requiring full satisfaction. This mode of redeeming mankind by the death of Christ was most suitable. Here is presented to our view the method of being reconciled. And that, notwithstanding the hatred of sin on God's part, it pleased God to reconcile fallen man to himself. If convinced that we were enemies in our minds by wicked works, and that we are now reconciled to God by the sacrifice and death of Christ in our nature, we shall not attempt to explain away, nor yet think fully to comprehend these mysteries; but we shall see the glory of this plan of redemption, and rejoice in the hope set before us. If this be so, that God's love is so great to us, what shall we do now for God? Be frequent in prayer, and abound in holy duties; and live no more to yourselves, but to Christ. Christ died for us. But wherefore? That we should still live in sin? No; but that we should die to sin, and live henceforth not to ourselves, but to Him.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 4:22
Commentary on Exodus 4:18-23
(Read Exodus 4:18-23)
After God had appeared in the bush, he often spake to Moses. Pharaoh had hardened his own heart against the groans and cries of the oppressed Israelites; and now God, in the way of righteous judgment, hardens his heart against the teaching of the miracles, and the terror of the plagues. But whether Pharaoh will hear, or whether he will forbear, Moses must tell him, Thus saith the Lord. He must demand a discharge for Israel, Let my son go; not only my servant, whom thou hast no right to detain, but my son. It is my son that serves me, and therefore must be spared, must be pleaded for. In case of refusal I will slay thy son, even thy first-born. As men deal with God's people, let them expect so to be dealt with.