Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-16

pillar of cloud, caused him to order
that they camp before Pi-hahiroth
the edge of the sedge), between Migdol
Ga watchtoweD and the sea over against
Baal-Zephon.
The exact location of the camp can
not be definitely determined, for there
have been many geological changes In
that section. Lake Timsah was then
connected with the Sea of Weeds. later
called the Red sea, which formed the
eastern boundary of their perilous posi-
ton, and an impossible sand waste
made the western boundary, while In
their front was a lofty mountain range,
and along the rear came the forces Of
Pharaoh because he had learned from
the signals Of the watch tower at Mig
dol that the Hebrews were in trap:
The value of the loss of the 1sraelites
had become apparent, and caused re-
The same spirit that had marked
Pharaohs conduct after the first nine
plaques showed itself again In his pur-
suit after Israel, who had lost all their
manhood during their long periods OF
servitude so that the sound OF the
coming chariots Of the Egyptians filled
them with fear and caused them to
complain to Moses about their peril.
1t was a terrible moment The wild
and excitable cries Of the multitude
show how quickly faith is obscured by
sight. We ourselves are apt to cry
out when trouble threatens and We see
no way out. The Israelites had no
means of defense For them there was
defeat accompanied by terrific slaugh-
ter and slavery. They did not count
upon the presence of God. The hour OF
need is always His hour to show clear
ly Tis power. SO that the difficulties OF
life become for US the methods Of d.
vine instruction The first crisis that
Israel faced was used of God to reveal
His character and relation to them by
overthrowing their enemies. Moses, who
realized the divine plan, sought to
Jehovah would deliver them, but amid
the darkness, doubt and despair the
WORKOUT leader turned to the only source
of relief by appealing to God himself Tor
directions. The answer directed that he
move forward and attempt the impos-
sible for man, but not for the Lord, who
directs human progress with the assur-
ance Of protection and power.
4
Progress, Protection, Power.
The nation had part to perform In
forward All men and nations that
amount to anything have responded to
that ringing command of the Almighty
to 60" which has revealed the truth
that "it Is in Him we move" Behind
every movement God will be found d.
recting the forces of the country. church
and civilization, leading them forward to-
ward larger knowledge of Himself,
higher life and greater service. Every
experience that gives US a larger vision
Of the goodness Of God calls for higher
moral standards and an enlarged Chris
tan efficiency.
Israel was not called upon to attempt
the impossible without some evidence Of
Gods keeping power, for the pillar of
cloud that had directed their movements
as 1t swept with majestic splendor and
glory through the heavens removed from
before them and stood behind them like
a great wall between the two camps. To
the Egyptians the dark and menacing
billowy vapor was a barrier that checked
their movements and hid from their view
the Israelites, to whom the same clouds
gave light casting a sheen upon the
sand and sea, and indicating, with UNI
erring accuracy, the path that should
soon appear" as a result of Gods power.
During the night the psalmist tells us
Of a terrific storm, when .the earth shoox
and trembled; the massy foundations of
the mountains rocked; from out the DARK
ness brooding overhead. the curtains of
Gods pavilion. came the repeated flash of
the lightning. followed by the long rever-
beration Of the thunder. The most High
uttered His voice. which was followed by
the pelt Of hailstones. and the fall Of
hreballs." AS Moses lifted the wonder
working rod above the roaring sea the
wind commenced to drive the retreating
waters before it. piling them up wave
upon wave. until they stood up wall of
foam and tumult, from base to top, fret |
ting. seething. fuming, chafing at the un-
expected restraint that kept the waters
divided SO that a pathway appeared for
Israel to pass over.
History presents no more dramatic or |
scene than that of the He |
brew nation marching rapidly during the |
wild night over the strange road that |
God had constructed for them. by using |
the powers Of His creation to drive the |
waters from OF the surface and make |
the sand Arm beneath their feet Sprinr |
killed. by the spray and foam turned from /
the walls of water by the strong winds, |
Israel went over Into the eastern wilder
ness a triumphant host of believers. who |
had been almost literally baptized into
1eath by passing through what became
Heath" to Pharaohs host, which pursued
them and persisted as result of the
Judgment Of the Lord whose praises Is