Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1913-08-14

GOLDEN TEXT-"Before thay cali
will answer. "-lsa- 6ofA
No sooner were the israeiftes sent
on their journey than the Egyptians
repented and pursued (vv. 6-e). Then
it was that Moses encountered the
first Of that complaining w. 10)
against which he struggled until God
took him from this earth They
''cried" ". 10) but they ala 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 go TO go forward In faithful
obedience, trusting God for deliver
ance Their salvation ", 49, was
from God. SEQ Acts 4:12; Heb. t;s. 0.
Gods leading, 49, 81. 90, had brought
them 70 this place; now He will mani
fest His glory. win get unto Himself
honor" ". ID.
Testing tho tsraeiites.
I. Protection, w. 1922. AS the an
gel Of God (Christ? came between
Israel and the Egyptians we are re-
minded of Pa 84:7. the angel Of the
Lord encampeth round about them
that fear Him and deffvereth them :
The same cloud that brought darkness
to the Egyptians brought light 10 the
Nraeiitea Even 30 we have the
Light" Luke 1882: John S:12, 8:5,
and are admonished to walk In the
light Eph- 6:S While God brought
confusion TO the Egyptians and was
testing the Israelttss by causing them
TO fear not, stand still and see' ".
49,, He was at the same time CIV
ing Moses an opportunity to work out
His plan OF delfveranoe ". 16). AS
the strong east wind blew it heaped
up the waters, dried out the muddy
bottom and opened q passage for the
deliverance of all the chosen ones
Then 1t was time for prayer to cease
w. IA, l5) and for action to begin.
the seemingly impossible is now quite
possible, Matt 1926 Notica how
ever. that God had used man
(Moses) In His work Of delfverance.
II was a very simple shepherdp stan
that God directed Moses TO use
Surety the power was not IN tho stan
nor In the arm back of the stan The
same waters that had seemed to be
such barrier are DOW used az q wall
of protection ". 82) ON the right hand
and on the left leaving no opportunity
for a flank attack. Their only way
of escape was forward and each step
they took was one OF faith.
n. Pursuit, w. 23-2a 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
Egypttans. 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 win 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.
III. Punishment, w. 26-31. 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 OF their chariot wheels and
fear overcame them Then they real
lied that Jehovah was fighting and
sought to fee Again God uses q
man In the working out of His plan
and Moses is Instructed to stretch
forth his hand over the sea. v. 20
AS the morning breaks the waters 10
turn to their level. and again God
uses natural forces In q supernatural
manner. Like as one would shake
on some useless. offensive. appendags
30 God was rid of the army of Pha
raoh ". 81 mars.). A careful read
ting Of this story, especially verse 2S
R. ". clearly indicates the probability
that Pharaoh himself did not perish
Thus 1t was that Israel saw the hand
worn OF the Lord upon the Egyptiant
while they themselves remained q
saved people. saved by the power Of
Jehovah. Great fear came upon then
". s1) and they believed the LORD
and His servant MoseA" How SAD
that their faith proved % short lived
and that they 30 soon murmuret
against God and HIS eervant Moses
Thus we sec the nation delivered
consecrated and placed under the di
rect government and guidance of God
Egypt did not ksep nith with Israe
to lot them 20 and worship" anc
God wrought . complete deliverance
0od's Judgment Of the SIN of Egyp
was carried out TO the last degree
but in Strict Justice On one hand Il
Gods guidance and over against tina
u lengths nnsn will 60 whose hearts
afo hardened IN rohellSon The bias