The Winslow mail., 1924-01-25
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
Sl1n2doySchool q
' Lesson
(By REV. P. B. FITZWATER, DID,,
Dean of the Evening School, Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago)
90, 1924, Western Newspaper Union.)
LESSON FOR JANUARY 27
ISRAEL SAVED AT THE RED SEA

LESSON TEXT-Exod. 14:21-31
GOLDEN sTEXT-The Lord is my
strength and song, and he is become
my salvation.-EXod. 1872.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Israel Saved at the Red Sea.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-Gods Guidance From Egypt to
Sinai.
The tenth stroke from the strong
hand of the Almighty, the tenth turn
of the screw of Omnipotence, brought
Pharaoh to time and made him willing
to let Israel go. The Israelites went
out on their way to the promised land
with 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
couraged at the sight of war and de-
sire to turn back to Egypt. The way
Of the wilderness was long route,
but it. had many valuable lessons for
them. By this they escaped the expert
ence of war, but learned the crooked
ness and perverseness Of their own
hearts (Deut. 8:2).
The Lord went before them in a pill
lar Of cloud by day and 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-
tiOT t11r nd firct
and were made to face something diff
fcult. 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
raeites (Exod. ID :21, 22).
They were in a straitened condi-
ton, but had no reason to fear, for the
Lulu 1ldu 1Cu luCIn IA1CA C. A1lCLC SCClllo
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 unbelief, even censuring
Moses for leading them out of Egypt.
Moses replied to their murmurings by
saying: "Fear ye not, stand still, and
see the salvation of the Lord" Stand
ing still in such a trial is faith taking
Moses: Wherefore criest thou unto
me? Speak unto the children of Israel,
that they go forward" Having had
His definite promise, to have prayed
longer would have been unbelief. The
lifting up of the rod simply served as
something tangible upon which their
faith could act. They were to go for
ward a step at a 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 the Divine presence and
help is determined by His peoples
needs. The cloud theme 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.
AS they went forward the very thing
which seemed their destruction became
wall of protection on either side.
IL. The Overthrow of the Egyptians
(Exod. IA :23-3D.
Having seen the Israelites go across
dryshod, Pharaoh and his people mad
ly pursued them. They insanely
thought that they, in their unbelief,
could follow in the wake Of Gods
children. The Lord looked forth from
the cloud and wrought confusion
among the Egyptians. He not only
looked upon them, but took off their
chariot wheels, causing them to realize
that God was fighting against them.
He then directed Moses to stretch
forth his rod and bring destruction
upon the Egyptians.
Ill. The Song of Triumph. (Exod.
Is :1-2D.
Standing on the other shore of the
Red sea, they could fittingly sing the
song of triumph because of the mi
raculous deliverance and overwhelming
defeat. They attributed all to God.
All self was left out. In glad coming
day a similar but larger congregation
will sing the same song with an addi-
tion, namely, of the Lamb (Rev. 10 :3).