Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-08-04


ment, God will surely pass over the
soul marked with the blood of the spot
less Lamb.
The turning of the waters Of the Nile
into blood, threatened in our last lesson,
failed of any good effect on the heart of
Pharaoh. II was therefore necessary,
if the beneticent purpose OF God were
not to be defeated, that other plaques
should be visited upon him. What
these were, and how they were received,
is told us in the chapters we have now
passed over.
In all, these plaques were ten in mum.
Der, and they were of increasing severi
ty. The first three fell upon the Egyp.
tians and children of Israel alike: for
Israel had need of chastisement, and
fresh atillctions were needed to make
them willing to leave the land of their
birth. But from the remaining seven
they were exempt; these fell upon the
Egyptians only.
That in a historical narrative so great.
ly condensed so much space should be
devoted to- such controversy, may
seem remarkable; but there was good
reason for it. 1t was the first great con.
fict between worldly powers and Gods
people. And as lesson for them and
for all time, he would make his fidelity
and power known. However he might
chastise his people, he would never
cease to be their help and salvation
In this view the record of these plaques
is most instructive, and the chapters
omitted in our studies are not TO be
unread.
The increasing severity of the divine
strokes was a sign OF Gods mercy, and
fruit of his patience. But, under it all,
the heart of Pharaoh relcnted only to
show itself more and more stubborn
and defiant. His defiance eliminated
with the ninth visitation, when he
drove Moses and Aaron from his pres.
ence, with threats of death should they
ever return.
The one last plague was to be more
appalling than all the rest, and after
it Pharaoh would let the people 90.
About midnight God would 90 out into
the midst OF Egypt and smite every
frst.born Of man and beast, from the
palace Of the monarch to the hut Of the
lowliest servant. 1t should thus be
known chow that the Lord put dif.
ference between the Egyptians and
Israeli
In the present lesson we are told how
the deliverance of Israel from this last
stroke was effected, and OF the insttu.
tion of the Passover as perpetual
memorial Of it.
The time corresponded with our April.
As indicating that this deliverance was
really their birth as n nation, il was
thenceforth to begin the ecclesiastical
year.
The means of their escape was the
blood of lamb. In a sense, the lamb
was a substitute for the first born. Its
death was to be their life. Thus the
pastoral lamb was type Of Christ, and
the shedding OF its blood a symbol of
our redemption from the curse of sin
by his blood. "Christ our Passover is
sacrificed for u.s. One, therefore, will
. readily trace a typical purpose not only
in the choice of the victim for the of.
fering, but also in the directions con.
cerning it, II was TO be a lamb, meek
and innocent, male of the first year,
the strongest of the flock, in the prime
of its strength, without blemish, and,
though slain and roasted with fire, not
n bone was TO be broken.
The blood Of the lamb was to be
sprinkled on the door posts Of all the
houses. Without this the offering Of
the lamb would be OF no avail. No
family would be safe where this was
not done. This was to be q token
and when God. on his destroying er.
rand, should see it, he would pass
over the dwelling whereon il should
be found. 1t is not indicated that
the mark was put there that God
might see and make no mistake. 1t
was bis pledge, but it was TO be applied
by men. The sprinkling of it wLs the
expression of their faith. IL was their
acceptance of offered salvation. So by
faith we apply the blood Of Christ to
our souls for our eternal salvation.
No doubt the feast to be kept had re.
lation to their physical need. They
were to start at midnight on an exhaust.
ing journey. But it had also n spiritual
meaning. Saved by sprinkled blood,
they would still have need of support
and strength. So the soul that has
been spiritually saved by the spriukIed
or appropriated blood of Christ, still
has need to feed upon him by contn
ued acts Of appropriating faith. 1t is
tEHt ne tuNtih iHlu tue luii blteHths
ness offered through the divine Pc.
deemer. The unleavened bread would
signify the purer life they were TO live;
while the bitter herbs would remind
them Of trials and sins escaped.
All this was TO be for a perpetual
memorial. The Hebrews have never
ceased to keep it as such, and have
made it the greatest Of their feasts.
By Christians It's deepest significance is
perpetuated in the Memorial supper
that feast of feasts. so full OF humble
joy, by which we commemorate o de.
liverance of which that from Egypt was
but a dim shadow.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
/. The delverance effected by Christs
sacrifice on the cross, is with the Church
the beginning of months and years:
The greatness Of that event Is confessed