The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-01-17

are but incidents in a long train of
historical events, chief among them
the war, which signify that God is
bound to have His way in the world.
The ten plaques which God sent
upon Egypt were natural events su-
pernaturally administered. Each of
them had at some time or other, in
Egyptians: so they were fully aware
of the dreadfulness of these vista
lions, which came and went at the bid
ding of Jehovah's messenger. Moses,
by the way. was the first man in the
scriptural history to bear a COM
work miracles: for miracles the
plaques undoubtedly were, although
each had its natural analogy.
Then followed the crushing blow
which broke Pharaoh's proud spirit
and accomplished the deliverance of
the Hebrews. This time there was
no display of the rod, no tragic in
vocation of the high heavens aid, no
insti umentality to impress the peo-
pie, no awesome warning. Silently and
unseen by any mortal, the final blow
was delivered in this audacious duel
between a proud earthly monarch and
the almighty King of kings. In all the
mystery of unexpectedness and mid
night darkness, by no visible sword,
the first-born of Egypt persisted.
Pharaoh had doomed all the male
infants of Israel to die: now his own
son (the Pharaoh of the oppression
was succeeded on the throne by his
widow, according to some authorities) 4.
and the first-born of every family,
down to that of the slave toiling at
the mill; yes. down to the first-born
of every beast, was suddenly smitten
with death. Terrible indeed was the
measure, but nothing less could bring
Pharaoh to his knees and accomplish
the deliverance of His chosen people.
And God must be God at any cost;
they who will not follow His shepherd
staff must be driven by His kingly
scepter.
A Sign of Escape.
Here we find the beginning of an
institution which has been kept up
ever since, wherever the children of
Abraham have dwelt. 1t was the di-
vine design to pass over His own peo-
pie in this dread visitation; therefore
he appointed the sign of the blood and
the sacrificial feast, crowded with the
| significance of fuller, greater Pass
over and its Lamb yet to come: and
this memorial continues to this day,
historic practice more eloquent than
| the monuments. A keen writer, (Les-
. lie) two centuries ago found in the
| Passover institution four marks which
are never lacking from any event of
4
ity, memorial observance and contem-
| poI--Ieousness of institution" More
/ impressive than any comment is the
moving narrative itself. as found in
| Exodus:
Then Moses called for all the elders
/ of Israel, and said unto them. Draw
| out and take you lambs according TO
your families. and kill the passover.
And We shall take a bunch OF ffyssop.
and dip 1t in the blood that Is in the
| basin, and strike the Intel and the
! two side-posts with the blood that is
/ in the basin; and none of you shall
go out of the door of his house until
! the morning. For Jehovah will pass
thru to smite the Egyptians; and when
, He seeth the blood upon the Intel, and
( on the two side-posts, Jehovah will
pass over the door. and will not suffer
the destroyer to come in unto your
houses TO srnite you. And We shall OBJ
serve this thing for an ordinance To
thee and to thy sons forever. And IL
shall come to pass, when ye are come
to the land which Jehovah will give
you. according as He hath promised
that he shall keep this service. And
it shall come to pass, when your chill
/ dren shall say unto you, What mean
ye by this service? that ye shall say
II is the sacrifice of Jehovah's pass
over. who passed over the houses Of
the children of Israel in Egypt. when
He smote the Egyptians. and delivered
our houses.
] And the people bowed the head
and worshiped- And the children oil
Israel went and did SO: as Jehovah
had commanded Moses and Aaron. SC
did they. And IL came to pass p
midnight that Jehovah smote all tbs
first-be-n in the land of Egypt. from
the first-born of Pharaoh that sat or
his throne unto the first born of the
captive that was in the dungeon. and
all the first-born of cattle. And
Pharaoh rose up in the night. he and
all his servants. and all the Egyptians;
and there was a great cry In Egypt: