McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1913-08-15
Testing the lsraelites.

u FToteCtIon, W. lSsZZ. AS the al
gel Of God (Christ?) came between
Israel and the Egyptians we are re-
minded of Ps. BAT, "the angel of the
Lord encampeth round about them
that fear Him and delivereth them"
The same cloud that brought darkness
to the Egyptians brought light to the
Israelites. Even SO We have the
Light" Luke 1892; John S:12, 9:5,
and are admonished to walk In the
light, Eph. 5:S. While God brought
confusion to the Egyptians and was
testing the Israelites by causing them
to fear not, stand still and see" ~.
13), He was at the same time Civ.
ing Moses an opportunity to work out
His plan of deliverance ". 10y. AS
the strong east wind blew 1t heaped
up the waters, dried out the muddy
bottom and opened a passage for the
deliverance of all the chosen ones
Then 1t was time for prayer to cease
". IA, 15) and for action to begin,
the seemingly impossible is now quite
possible, Matt. 1926. Notice, how.
ever, that God had used man
(Moses) in His work of deliverance.
1t was a very simple shepherds staff
that God directed Moses to use.
Surely the power was not In the staff
nor in the arm back of the staff. The
same waters that had seemed to be
such q ho rriar ora ,ouy ,,cad ae n uou
of protection ". 22) on the right hand
and on the left leaving no opportunity
for flank attack. Their only way
of escape was forward and each step
they took was one of faith.
II. Pursuit, w. 1925. Pharaoh had
judged that the Israelites were en-.
tangled, "perplexed" ". 81 in the will.
derness and that Moses had inadvert-
antly led them into natural trap
which was to the advantage of the
Egyptians. Further, we judge that
with the darkness of the cloud before
them, the Egyptians were not fully
aware Of the fact that they were fol.
lowing Israel into the midst of the
waters. Blind fury will lead man
into strange surroundings and to per
form insane acts. This new way was
not prepared for Pharaoh nor is the
straight and narrow path which leads
to glory for the unrepentant sinner.
Jehovah was near at hand that morn.
ing watch" ". 24), even as today He
blesses those who keep that hour.
One "look" from Jehovah brought
confusion and discomfort upon the
pursuers.
The Safe Path.
III. Punishment, w. 1851. The path
that is safe for faith is no place for
the disobedient. God looking through
that cloud paralyzed the proud forces
Of Pharaoh in the place of all places
most dangerous. God not alone looked
but took off their chariot wheels and
fear overcame them. Then they real.
lied that Jehovah was fighting and
sought to flee. Again God uses
man in the working out of His plan
and Moses Is instructed to stretch
forth his hand over the sea, v. 26.
AS the morning breaks the waters re.
turn to their level, and again God
uses natural forces in a supernatural
manner. Like as one would shake
off some useless, offensive, appendage
SO God was rid of the army of Pha-
raoh ". 81 marg.). A careful read
ing Of this story, especially verse %
r. ", clearly indicates the probability
that Pharaoh himself did not perish.
Thus it was that Israel saw the hand
work of the Lord upon the Egyptians
while they themselves remained
saved people, saved by the power of
Jehovah. Great fear came upon them
". 81 and they Believed the Lord
and His servant Moses" How sad
that their faith proved SO short lived
and that they so soon murmured
against God and His servant Moses.
Thus we see the nation delivered.
consecrated and placed under the d.
rect government and guidance of God
Egypt did not keep faith with Israel
to let them "go and worship" and
God wrought complete deliverance
Gods judgment of the sin of Egypt
was carried out to the last degree,
but in strict justice. On one hand is
Gods guidance and over against that
the lengths men will go whose hearts
are hardened in rebellion. The bias
phemous daring of the Egyptians was
rebuked as they attempted to march
along Gods highway of deIiyeranca