THEIR AGE.
EXODUS 7:7
7. Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh.
Moses was four score years old (80).—Moses was fourscore years old—This advanced age was a pledge that they had not been readily betrayed into a rash or hazardous enterprise and that under its attendant infirmities, they could not have carried through the work on which they were entering had they not been supported by a divine hand. Compare Deuteronomy 34:7; Acts 7:23; Acts 7:30. The air of Egypt, and, even more, that of the desert, was favorable to longevity. The Egyptian monuments show many cases of officials actively employed after they were a hundred years old. Moses lived in affliction and banishment forty years before he commanded his office to deliver God's people.
The age of Moses (80) and Aaron (83) is confirmed by the statement (in ; Deuteronomy 34:7) that Moses was a hundred and twenty at his death. St. Stephen also accepts it as exact (Acts 7:23, 30). Moderns are surprised that a man could undertake and carry through a difficult and dangerous enterprise at such an age. However, in Egypt, one hundred and ten years was not considered a very long life, and men frequently retained their full vigor till seventy or eighty. Exodus 7:7
At this time, which is added partly to show how long Israel had been afflicted in Egypt; for their significant troubles and miseries began about the time of the birth of Moses, or a little before, as appears from the above history; and partly to show the patience and forbearance of God with the Egyptians, and how just and righteous were his judgments on them; with this perfectly agrees Stephen's account of the age of Moses, Acts 7:23 and Aaron eighty-three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh; so that they were men that had had an extensive experience of things, and had been training long for the service designed to be done by them; they were men of wisdom and prudence, of sedate and composed countenances, and fit to appear before a king, whose age and venerable aspect might command attention to them. The observation has been made that "in all the Scripture there is no mention of any prophets that prophesied in their old age but these because their excellency was greater than all the prophets.''By this, it appears that Aaron was three years older than Moses. A Jewish chronologer says that it is affirmed in their exposition that Aaron prophesied to the Israelites in Egypt eighty years ago, making him a very young prophet when he first entered the office. The Arabic writers say that Miriam was at this time eighty-seven, so she was seven years older than Moses and four years older than Aaron; see Exodus 2:4.
Joseph, who was to be only a servant to Pharaoh, was preferred at thirty years old; but Moses, who was to be a god to Pharaoh, was not so dignified until he was eighty. It was fitting he should wait long for such an honor and be long in preparing for such a service.
The ages of Moses and Aaron here, as of Levi and Kohath Exodus 6:16,18, and before them of Jacob and Joseph, are so precisely recorded that we may, understand the accomplishment of God's prediction, Genesis 15:13, and the time of Israel's being in Egypt.
God glorifies himself. He makes people know that he is Jehovah. Israel is made to know it by the performance of his promises to them and the Egyptians by pouring out his wrath upon them. Moses, as the ambassador of Jehovah, speaking in his name, laid commands upon Pharaoh, denounced threatenings against him, and called for judgments upon him. Pharaoh, proud and great as he was, could not resist. Moses stood not in awe of Pharaoh but made him tremble. This seems to be meant in words; "Thou shalt be a god unto Pharaoh." At length, Moses is delivered from his fears. He makes no more objections, but being strengthened in faith, he goes about his work with courage and proceeds with perseverance.
"I will lay My hand on Egypt," i.e., smite Egypt, "and bring out My armies, My people, the children of Israel." Israel uses "Armies" regarding its leaving Egypt equipped (Exodus 13:18) and organized as an army according to the tribes (cf. Exodus 6:26 and Exodus 12:51 with Numbers 1 and 2 to contend for the cause of the Lord and fight the battles of Jehovah. In this respect the Israelites were called the hosts of Jehovah. The calling of Moses and Aaron was now concluded. Exodus 7:6 and Exodus 7:7 pave the way for the account of their performance of the duties consequent upon their call.
