The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1924-01-26

my salvation-Exod. 1872.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
iC-Israel Saved at the Red Sea.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
Goods Guidance From Egypt to
Sinai.
The tenth stroke from the strong
hand of the Almighty, the tenth tnrn
of the screw of Omnipotence, brought
Pharaoh to time and made him willing
to let Israel 90. The Israelites went
ont on their way to the promised land
with a high hand. Through the land
of the Philistines the journey would
have been comparatively short, but.
God commanded them to turn from
that way, lest, going through the land
Of the Philistines, they would be dis
fcuraged at the sight of wal and de
sire to turn back 10 Egypt. The way
Of the wilderness was a long route,
but it had many valuable lessons for
them. BY this obey escaped the expert
nee of war, but learned the crooked
ness and perFerseness of their own
hearts tDeut. S:2).
The Lord went before them in a pill
lar of cloud by day and Il pillar Of fire
by night. He not only thus indicated
unto them the right path, but walked
with them in it. At the Lords direc-
ton they turned from their first course
and were made to face something diff
ficult. The Red sea was before them
and mountains on either side. The
stricken Egyptians had recovered from
their sorrow and now saw the Israel
ties in a 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 pur-
suit, hoping yet to prevent them from
going out of the country.
|. The Miraculous Escape of the Is
r~aeIites (Exod. IA :21, 22).
They We're in d straitened condi-
ton, but had no reason to fear, for the
Lord had led them there. There seems
to have been a twofold object in lead
ing them into this particular place: to
strengthen the faith of the people and
to lay a snare for the overthrow of the
Egyptians. The people, as usual, dis
played their unbellef, even c~ensuring
Moses for leading them u of Egypt.
Moses replied to their murmurings by
saying: Fear We hot, stand still, and
see the salvation of the Lord" Stand
ing still in such a trial is faith taking
hold on Gods promises. God said to
Moses: :Wherefore criest thou unto
-taea.2 Speak dseo "A children Of Israel,
that they go forward" Having had
His definite promise, to have prayed
would have been unbelief. The
up of the rod simply served as
something tangible upon which their
faith could act. They were to go for
ward d step at a time, without raising
any question as to the outcome, for
from the same source from which came
command came the power to obey.
The presence of the Lord was adapted
to their needs as they went forward.
The form of the Divine presence and
help is determined by His peoples
needs. The cloud then passed to the
and held the enemy at bay. The
presence of God had a double effect:
darkness and confusion to the enemy
md light and guidance to His people.
As they went forward the very thing
which seemed their destruction became
wall of protection on either side.
II. The Overthrow of the Egyptians
,Exod. IA :23-31).
Having seen the Israelites go across
Pharaoh and his people mad
Y pursued them. They ~insanely
that they, in their unbelief,
,ould follow in the wake of Gods
The Lord looked forth from
he cloud and wrought confusion
among the Egyptians. He not only
ooked upon them, but tool off their
wheels, causing them to realize
hat God was fighting against them.
He her directed Moses to stretch
'orth his rod and bring destruction
lpon the Egyptians.
III. The Song of Triumph. (Exod.
3 :1-21).
Standing on the other shore of the
Red sea, they could ittingly sing the
iong of triumph because of the mi
.aculous deliverance and overwhelming
lefeat. They attributed all to God.
self was left out. In a glad coming
lay a similar but larger congregation
will sing the same song with an addi-
namely, of the Lamb Grew. L :3).