The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1913-08-14

NO sooner were Ine lSTdellIeb beuI
on their journey than the Egyptians
repented and pursued (vv. 5-9). Then
1t was that Moses encountered the
first Of that complaining ". 10)
against which he struggled until God
took him from this earth. They
"cried' w. 10) but they did not rest
1t did look like dangerous situation
and there were but three possible
methods of procedure. (a) To return
to slavery, (b) to die in the wilder
ness, or (3) to go forward in faithful
obedience, trusting God for deliver
ance. Their salvation ". 13) was
from God, see Acts 4:12; Heb. SIS, 9.
Gods leading, 1881, %, had brought
them to this place; now He will mani
fest His glory, will get unto Himself
honor ". 10.
Testing the IsraeIites.
]. Protection, w. 1922. As.the an
gel of God (Christ?) came between
Israel and the Egyptians we are re-
minded of Ps. BAIT, "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" w.
13), He was at the same time Civ
ing Moses an opportunity to work out
His plan of deliverance ". 16). AS
the strong east wind blew it heaped
up the waters, d.ied out the muddy
bottom and opened passage for the
deliverance of all the chosen ones.
Then, it was time for prayer to cease
W A, 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 stair
nor in the arm back of the staff The
same waters that had seemed to be
such barrier are now used as a wall
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.
u. 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 a 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 a 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.
Ill. 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 fee. Again God uses a
man in the working out Of His plan
aGd Moses is instructed to stretch
forth his hand over the sea, v. &c.
AS the morning breaks the waters re-
turn to their level and again God
uses natural forces in supernatural
manner. Like as one would shake
on some useless, offensive, appendage
so God was rid Of the army of Pha-
raoh ". 27 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 q
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 30 short lived
and that they 80 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 a 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 deliyerance.