Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-15
for SUNDAY Scbool8.
STAR LESSON FOR JUNE 16,
BY Rev. J. E. Gilbert, DID,,
"IsRAEL's ESCAPE FROM EGYPT" Exodus xiv 1927.

cloud meant safety on one side and con-
fusion on the other.
PASSAGE oversees Fl and 22).-The pill
lar of cloud having changed its POSITION, and
all things being in readiness, the command
was given. The rod was stretched out over
the sea by the great leader, who displayed
his marvellous faith in the power of God.
A strong east wind from the Arabian coast
sprang up and blew steadily all the night
through, dividing the waters into two great
parts and leaving dry path for the feet
OF the people. Two walls, one above and
one below, held the floods in check. And
when the morning came the people saw
with establishment what God had done in
providing for them a way Of escape. With
glad hearts the advance began. The land
of bondage was left behind, and the land
OF deliverance and hope might be seen in
the distance. Eagerly on the hosts pursued
their way, no one doubling or fearing all
rejoicing and expecting. a motley company
of men. women, children and cattle. the
stock out of which God intended to build
a nation for the accomplishment Of his
purposes.
PURSUIT oversees o. "a and 25.-When
Israel went down into the sea the Egyp-
had so long resisted Gods message. though
at times softened, was again hardened, and
he determined to regain and bring back a
race deemed to be necessary to the national
welfare because Of its labor. Proudly and
confidently the chariots and the horsemen.
the pride OF the realm, entered into the mar
row way. The same wall held back the
waters. and the same smooth bed, in which
the softened mud had been dried by the
wind, afforded place for the feet. There
must have been feelings of exultation and
expectations of triumph in the hearts of
the pursuers, as they saw before them the
fleeing Israelites, and many of the latter,
II they looked behind them. may have
thought that after all their escape was
exceedingly doubtful. And so the march
proceeded, those before filled with some
anxiety but not without hope. escaping for
their lives. 1t was then God interfered
He looked on the Egyptians took off their
chariot wheels until they felt that God was
fighting against them and proposed to nee.
OVERTHROW oversees % to 27).-Then
the END came suddenly. It was then they
were apprehenstve Of their peril, when they
felt that the God Of Israel was at war with
them. They had not considered that the
power employed to defend Israel would not
defend the enemies of Israel. With pre-
sumption they had entered into the way
which the Almighty had prepared for His
had plunged into the very jaws Of death
Then came the word Of the Lord to Moses,
Stretch out thine hand over the sea-" The
same movement employed in dividing the
waters was to be again employed for their
return to their accustomed place. This was
the end to be sought 1t could have been
reached without human instrumentality. 1t
was intended to recognize and honor Moses
as the appointed leader. Inc mana was
stretched forth, and the walls that held
back the floods gave way. The waters in
great torrents poured down from above. fill
ing the vacant passage. The Egyptians at
tempted to flee, but all in vain They were
overcome and overwhelmed. All the hosts
of Pharaoh. without single exception, per-
ished, buried in the depths of the sea. :.
CONCLUsION.-By this narrative we
learn, FIRST that mans extremity Is Gods
opportunity. Salvation Is wrought out by
divine power without mans aid. That Is
the meaning of the term: second, the saliva
tion Of God may be expected only when
men accept 1t. They must cease their muir
muring and trust in Him. assured that He
will bring to pass that which He purposes
in His own time; third, good men have no
reason to fear those who rise up against
them. Nothing can harm those whom God
protects, provided they trust in Him:
fourth, let mountains Of difficulties be
round about and let the deep sea be before
US. God can make a way throdghlth the sea
and bring His own to the other side in
safety; fifth, let those who array them.
selves against God beware. For time
they may seem to prosper, but ere long
when the time is right they shall be over
whelmed. The glorying Of the wicked is
short lived. The triumph of Gods people
Is certain.