The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-13
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IllEIkBERNACLE
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CROSSING THE RED SEA
Exodus 14.19-31--Aupus II

Before they call 1 will answer
Isaiah 65:24.
The Bible story of IsraeFs miracu-
lous crossing of the Red sea, which
later overwhelmed the Egyptian army
has long been questioned by agnostics
who also question the large number
ascribed to the Israelites-6oO,G coo men
implying a total of 100000 or more
However, the Bible finally is triumph
ing. Mistranslations and failures prop
erly to interpret figures of speech were
the basis of our misunderstanding
Prof. Flinders Petrie calls attention
to the fact that the Hebrew word alaf
is used in the scriptures sometimes to
mean a thousand and at other times to
signify group. families, or tents, very
much in the same way that we use
the word regiment as sgnifying a
group of a thousand men, yet often far
less in number especially after bat
tie. Thus understood. the record, "Ju-
dah 1900, would read. Judah, "A
families. or tents. with 600 men in all !;
so they set forward, every one after
their families. according to the house
of their fathers. Numbers 2:s4.
Thus reckoned. the entire host of the
Israelites who left Egypt-men women
and children-might be estimated at
about 10000. Even this was a goodly
host to be the descendants of Jacob in
but little more than two centuries
That the Israelites were very prolific
was evidenced by the Egyptian decree
which sought to destroy their children
fearful that eventually they would out
number the Egyptians.
Necessity of the Miracles
miracle is not necessarily a viola
tion of law of nature. A wonder, an
unusual occurrence, indicating an in
terposition of divine power in human
affairs, would be miracle. even though
it conformed to natural laws. God rare
ly works miracles except where there
is a necessity.
Three roads led out of Egypt in the
direction of Palestine: but as a mill
ranean sea to the Red sea to protect
against invading armies, these roads
had access into Egypt only through
strong iron gates
One of these roads led through the
country of the Philistines, to pass
through which so large a body of people
would have been prohibited The sec
oiio iOetd itu tHlOuS1 IL SdIuy NtStll, anu
would have been entirely unsuitable fur
nishing neither provender nor water. The
third road was the one which the Israel
ties took, leading through the wild noun
tain regions of Sinai, where they found
pasturage.
After the death of Egypt's first borns
and the beginning of Israers exodus, sew
eral days elapsed before the Israelites
reached the Red sea- Meantime, Phar-
ma had MAJ a lra pa
covered from their mourning. Pharoah
perceived that the Israelites had wan
dered about as though undecided which
road to take, and concluded that 1t would
be easy to bring them back The gates
of the wall were ordered closed, and sew
eral hundred chariots and footmen sent
to pursue.
Meantime, the Israelites had passed be-
tween two mountain ranges, up against
the northern arm of the Red seattle
Gulf of Suez. Apparently the Israelites
had gone into pen, from which there
was no escape Divine providence ar
ranged that a heavy pillar of cloud. or
fog, hovered over the camp of the Egyp-
tians, while there was a bright light in
the camp of the Israelites. Thus tile
Egyptians We're delayed, and the Israel
ties moved on until they came to the sea
and beheld that they were hemmed in.
Then they cried to the Lord and to Moses.
discouraged, requesting to be permitted
to return TO Egyptian bondage.
But the word of the Lord through
Moses was that the people should be of
good courage and that soon they would
see Jehovah God bring deliverance from
their troubles and from their enemies.
Meantime, the wind began to blow from
the north, and gradually the waters re-
ceded southwark. uncoverlng ledge and
sand bar, upon which the Israelites
crossed to the other side. The befogged