The Green Forest tribune., 1913-08-15

it was that Moses encountered the first of that complaining (v. 10) against which he struggled until God took him from this earth. They cried (v. 10) but they did not rest. It 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 (v. 13) was from God see Acts 4:12; Heb. 5:S, g.. Gods leading, 18:31, 22, had brought them to this place; now He will mani fest His glory, will get unto Himself honor" (v. ID.
 Testing the lsraelites.
 l. Protection, w. 1922. As the an gel of God (Chfist?) came between Israel and the Egyptians We are re minded of Ps. 34:7 the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him and deliyereth them" The same cloud that brought darkness to the Egyptians brought light to the lsraelites. Even so We have the Light" Luke 2:32; John SIP, 9:5, and are admonished to walk in the light, Eph. 5:8. While God brought confusion to the Egyptians and was testing the Israelites by causing them to fear not, stand still and see" (v. 13), He was at the same time giv- ing Moses an opportunity to work out His plan of deliverance (y. 16). AS the strong east wind blew it heaped up the waters, dried out the muddy bottom and opened passage for the deliyerance of all the chosen ones. Then it was time for prayer to cease (v. 14. 15) and for action to begin, the seemingly impossible is now quite possible, Matt. 1926. Notice how ever, that God had used man (Mosesl in His work of deliverance It was a very simple shepherds staff that God directed Moses to use Surely the power was not in the staf1 nor in the arm back of the staff. The same waters that had seemed to be such barrier are now used as wal. of protection (v. 22) on the right hand and on the left leaving no opportunity for a flank attack. Their only way of escape was forward and each steb they took was one of faith. In He brews 11:29 we are told that this part of the Hebrews journey was a victory of faith. It was as much a miracle for the Israelites to see that God was preparing way of deliver ance and to trust the strength of those wet walls as any other act of faith could possibly be. God com, manded Moses to speak and he spake. to lift his shepherds crook, signiti- cant act of worship, and Moses lifted the rod; to stretch forth his hand anG rod, significant of action and to di vide, e. g., to expect results. God used natural force, "a strong east wind"
 II. Pursuit, w. 23-25. Pharaoh had judged that the Israelites were en tangled, perplexed" (v. 3 in the vii 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 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 unrepeptant sinner Jehovah was near at hand that morn ing watch" (v. 24), even as today He blesses those who keep that hour One look" from Jehovah brought confusion and discomfort upon the pursuers. Their going was made heavy, probably the waters seeped in beneath the walls on either side and in the mire the wheels came off their chariots and thereby made them to drive heavily" (R. " marg V. 25). One look from Jesus brought Peter to repentance and those who reject Christ shall yet look "on Him whom they pierced" Will we rejoice or be confused when we see Him face to face? Jehovah is now fighting the battle for Israel (vv. 14) What had been dry ground trodden by the feet of faith step at a time now be- comes the place of confusion (unbe- lief danger and finally of death
 The Safe Path.
 III iSh Uu rTha 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 ized that Jehovah was fighting and sought to flee. Again God uses a 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 (v. 27 marg.). A careful read ing of this story, especially verse 28 R. ", clearly indicates the probability that Pharaoh himself did not perish Thus it was that Israel saw the hand work of the Lord upor the Egyptians while they themselves remained saved people, saved by the power of Jehovah. Great fear came upon them (v. 31) and they Believed the Lord and His servant Moses" How sad that their faith proved so short lived and that they so soon murmured