Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-15

CONTExT-ln the ml0St OF Oedtn aiu
public sorrow the heart of Pharaoh was
broken. He quickly discerned that the ca
lamity that had befallen the nation was
of supernatural origin. No such visitation
could be accounted for as due to the ord1-
nary influences at work among men. He
rightly judged also that the God of the
Hebrews was dealing with him, as had been
the case in the series Of plaques sent upon
him. Accordingly, he called for Moses and
ordered him to depart with all his follow
ers, and Immediately preparations were
made for the exodus. But no sooner had
the movement begun than Pharaoh relented
and pursued the hosts of Israel. The lat
ter in their march came to a point by the
sea from which escape seemed to be I'M
possible. The Egyptians behind them and
the flood Of waters before them. they we're
seized with great alarm. Then all began
to mvrmur, declaring that they had antici-
pated these misfortunes and that sure death
awaited them. Here our lesson begins.
SALVATION oversees Is and 1D.-Moses
met the murmuring people with words IS, OF
encouragement. He recognized their strait
ened condition and their apparent peril.
shut in as they were between their enc.
mics and the sea. He informed them tnat
there was nothing for them to do. nothing
they could do. They were In no way lifted
to fight, and escape was impossible. There
was no attempt to diminish in their minds
the. gravity OF tno SlLudtlOH Ioul oh eh1s
account they must not abandon hope. There
was one source Of help to which they might
turn, even as every man does or should IN
time Of great extremity. the Lore wouia
which never had been delivered to them
before. For centuries they had been un,
der the oppressor's heel, and no power had
appeared in their behalf. Now at the very
would be their deliverer, further display
of what he had done through the time OF
the plaques. The people were told that Lnls
would be such signal deliverance that
they should see the Egyptians no more 1t
would be a complete and final salvation.
They must be still, cease to murmur and
wait on God.
ADVANCE oversees Is and 10.-It may
be that Moses did not know, certainly
the people did not know, how this deliver.
ance would come All were left to accept
the promise, bold and naked, and to rest
upon it. But Moses, feeling the responsfbal-
ity of the hour, had cried unto God for
direction and help. He was told to cease
his praying. 1t was q time TOR action. EaS
was ordered to go forward and to command
the people to advance That seemed an
impossible act, but 1t was the only course
open On either side were the high hills,
which could not be scaled. In the rear
were the Egyptians eager to capture ana
return all to their services as slaves. But
to go forward was to plunge into the sea
and be drowned. And yet God proposed to
prepare a way even through the flood for
his people. But how? Moses was directed
to reach out his hand with the rod that
had been with him from the time of his call
to the great mission. And that extended
toward the sea should open path through
ground, Israel should march in safety to
the opposite shore. This was Gods plan
of deliverance.
HONOR oversees II and 1874 part
Of the divine plan was concealed in these
directions to Moses, but made known later.
God not only intended to bring salvation
to Israel, but to do so in such way that his
name would be honored among the nations
round about. However important the de-
liverance, 1t was equally necessary to exalt
the name Of Jehovah. For years afterward
great interests would be at stake and vast
plans would be laid, all requiring that other
people should have due regard to- the God
Of all the Hebrews: In order to the ac-
complishment of this God is said to have
hardened Pharaohs heart. In reality, he
withheld the gracious influences OF his
cording to his pleasure. AS consequence.
1t was predicted that the king would ad-
here to his wicked purpose and pursue after
Israel even when the latter was crossing
the sea by the path prepared for them
This attempt would be fuller proof Of
Pharaoh's opposition to God. a sufficient
ground for another judgment, in infiicting
which God would be honored in the eye
Of all.
PILLAR oversees 10 and 2O).-In execut-
ing this purpose q change of much impor-
lance was effected There had been set in
the heavens before the advancing Israelites
a pillar Of cloud to lead them in the way
(Ex., xiii:2D. By that they were to march:
1t had led them from their starting point
to their encampment by the sea. In that
cloud was the angel OF the Lord who
changed the course Of the journey from
time to time as best suited his purpose.
Thus there was a phenomenal and spiritual
presence granted at all times to make sure
that they were in the right way, SO that
they might proceed in safety When the
Lord ordered Moses to advance that cloud
arose and moved to the rear of the Israelit-
ish camp. thus hanging between the He
brews and the Egyptians. 1t might have
been thought by some that this change
indicated a retreat. that the people were to
return by the way In which they had come
and SO encounter the Egyptians. But that
was not the case. The order had come to
60 forward and Israel must proceed, fol-
lowed by the Divine Presence and pro-
tected thereby against the enemies. That