McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1919-01-24

sons for them. By this way they es-
capped the experience of war, but
learned the crokedness and perverse-
ness of their own hearts deuteronomy
1922.
The Lord went before them in q
pillar of cloud by day and pillar of
fire by night. He not only thus indi-
Gated unto them the right path. but
walked with them In 1t. God does not
deliver and then leave us alone, but
becomes our companion. At the Lords
direction they turned from their first
course and were made to face a SEEM
ing difficulty. The Red sea was before
them, and mountains on either side.
The stricken Egyptians had recovered
from their sorrow and now saw the
1sraelites In situation from which
they could not extricate themselves.
They interpreted this to mean that
Moses was unable to lead them out of
their difficulty; therefore, they went
In pursuit, hoping yet to prevent them
from going out Of the country.
!. The Miraculous Escape Of the
israeIites (14:13-22).
They were in a straitened condition
but had no reason TO fear, for the
Lord had led them there. It Is safe
to be where the Lord leads, though
every avenue is closed against us.
There seems to be two-fold object in
leading them into this peculiar place /:
to strengthen the faith of the people
and to lay snare for the overthrow
of the Egyptians. The people, as usual,
displayed their unbelief and even CEN
sured Moses for leading them out Of
Egypt Moses replied to their muir,
murs by saying, Fear We not, stand
still and see the salvation Of the
Lord" Standing still In such trial
is faith taking hold on Gods prom
ises. This is hard for the natural
man to do. Before the salvation Of
the Lord can ever be seen or expert
enced we must come thus to him.
While reposing our confidence In the
Lord, there comes time when we
must make our. faith active. God said,
Wherefore criest thou unto me?
Speak unto the children of Israel that
they go forward" Having had his
definite promise, to have prayed long
err would have been unbelief. The thing
to be done then was to step out
upon his eternal promise. The lifting
up of the rod simply served as some
thing tangible upon which their faith
could act. They were to go forward a
step at time, without raising any
question as to the outcome; for from
the same source from which came the
command, came the power to obey.
The presence of the Lord was adapted
to their needs as they went forward.
The form Of his presence and help Is
determined by his peoples needs. The
cloud then passed to the rear and held
the enemy at bay. The presence of
God had double effect; darkness and
confusion to the enemy and light and
guidance to his people. The ark In the
Philistines' country brought death and
destruction, while In the house Of
Obed-edom it brought peace and pros
perity. The gospel Of Christ is saver
Of life unto life and death unto death.
As they went forward the very thing
which seemed their destruction be-
came wall of protection on either
side.
II. The Overthrow Of the Egyptians
(23 :27).
Having seen the Israelites 60 across
dry-shod Pharaoh and his hosts mad
~ pursued them. They insanely
thought that they in their unbelIef
could follow in the wake Of Gods chill
dren. The very things which are
wall and defense to the faithful be.
come snare and a means of destruc
ton to the enemies of Gods people.
The Lord looked forth from the cloud
and wrought confusion among the
Egyptians. There is day coming
when look from the Almighty will
cause much greater CONSERVATION
among the wicked (Revelation GIG,
II; 2O:l1-13). He not only looked
upon them but took Off their chariot
wheels, which caused them to realize
that God was fighting against them.
He then directed Moses to stretch
forth his rod and bring destruction
upon the Egyptians. So complete was
the overthrow that it is said that not
one escaped. This is but type of the
utter overthrow of the ungodly in the
future.
~. The Song Of Triumph (15 :1-21).
Standing on the other shore of the
Red sea, they could fittingly sing the
sorg of triumph, because of the mirac-
uious deliverance and the overwhelm-
ing defeat. Every one who has been
saved from the bondage of sin and
death should sing praises unto Jeho.
yah for his mighty deliverance. They
attributed all to God. All self was left
out. In glad coming day. similar
but larger company VIII sing the same
song with an addition. namely, "of
the Lamb" Revelations Is 81