[From the 1st to the 18th chapters.]
Preached at Wittenberg from October 2, 1524 to 1526.
Preface.
So far we have interpreted the first book of Moses and have heard of many beautiful, comforting sayings, in which the main articles of our Christian faith are contained. In addition, we have been presented with all kinds of wonderful examples and models of a godly and Christian life in the Old Fathers and Patriarchs, and have learned from the
The same book also teaches how God is the almighty Creator of heaven, earth, and all creatures, whom alone we should honor, love, fear, and trust above all things; likewise, how all things are in God's power and hand, and He must govern, protect, and preserve all things; item, how the human race may multiply and grow.
*) After Luther had finished the sermons on the first book of Moses, he began to preach on the second book of Moses in the vesper services on the 19th Sunday after Trinity, October 2, 1524. Only in the year 1526 he came to an end with it. This time determination, which Aurifaber gives in the first part of the Eisleben collection, is confirmed by a note in an index volume to Poach's sermons in the Zwickau Rathsschulbibliothek (Buchwald, Ungedruckte Predigten, Vol. I, p. XX, Note 3.): "Anno 1524 Sonntag nach Michaelis hatt er angefangen
Adam and Eve fell into sin, death, and the power of the devil and the devil's shells, but through the promised Seed they attained righteousness, eternal life, and blessedness.
(2) We have also heard how the two generations of men, the godly and the ungodly, that is, the right, true church of God, and the false church, the bride of the devil, have lived, grown and prospered in the world. And in this book we are also presented with comforting examples of divine graces and benefits, how God blessed the pious and did good to them, and on the other hand, examples of wrath, how he punished the wicked. This book is therefore worthy of our knowledge and learning, so that we may draw from it to the kingdom of Christ and to a Christian, penitent life.
3 Now we turn to the interpretation of the other book of Moses, in which the following is said
of the departure of the children of Israel from Egypt, when they were delivered and redeemed from the house of bondage and the hard prison of Pharaoh. This also presents us with beautiful, glorious examples of how God truly keeps His promises; item, examples of divine grace and kindness toward afflicted, troubled and frightened Christians; and, on the other hand, examples of His wrath, punishment and disgrace toward the stubborn and impenitent. And after Abraham's, Isaac's and Jacob's descendants were to become a nation and kingdom of their own, God also gives them laws and rights in this book, orders worship and religion, and sets up authorities, as Moses, who is a commander and captain of this people, who is to lead them out of Egypt; and divides the people into twelve principalities or tribes, over which he sets twelve princes. [So he set up this people with laws and rights, so that (because this people was very many) every man might know what he should do.