Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-31

One of the most famous and de
cisive events in the worlds history Is
recorded in the deliverance of Israel
at the Red Sea. When they crossed
from Africa TO Asia they left behind
a life of slavery and oppression anC
entered the continent that has beer
the cradle OF all the great religions
of the world. They entered the home
of spiritual ideals, where God nodded
the escaping slaves into united ma
tional life. 1t took time to fit and
prepare the Israelites for their place
in the world II was for this reason
that He did not lead them immedi
ately into Palestine, after He had Sc
cured for the Hebrews their freedom
The short cut would have brought
them into the Promised Land before
they were prepared to assume then
place in the family of nations. The
longer road was needed to give them
the proper preparatory training
which would develop national unity
out of units of slaves and a mixed
multitude. 1t required years OF pa
tient effort in the wilds of the wilder
ness.
Moses had ordered the Hebrews tC
meet at Succoth on the night thai
they prenared to leave by partaklne
of the Passover. He selected a site
that has since become rendevouz
for Mohammedan in making up thelI
caravans for trips to Mecca. In the
northeast on the way to Canaan, II
they took the short cut, the people
would meet the Egyptian Notifications
which Aahmes had erected TO protect
his frontiers from attacks either
by the Philistines or the shepherd
1t, -I,..yr T,n driven
Egypt. A short distance beyond they
would face the Philistine forces. who
would be certain to oppose their en-
trance into the Promised Land. To
prevent the unorganized Hebrews
who were emerging from slavery and
the mixed multitude from meeting
these armed forces in conflict, God
turned the people TO the way by the
desert of the Sea of Weeds Although
the Israelites marched, prepared fol
battle, they would have been routed
had they met disciplined forces. Al
the Red Sea they would learn Gods
power.
Moses took the bones of Joseph In
accordance with the promise made tc
him that the nation would carry his
bones to Palestine. when God visited
them. 1t served to inspire faith and
revealed Ills confidence in the success
of the national liberation movement
which was heing guided by divine di
rection. The braZier of burning Goals
which the leaders carried, just as 1t is
carried by a caravan in the desert
now. that it's smoke by day and its
light by night might show them the
way was chosen to make clear to them
that the Lord was with them. They
had followed His leadership without
fear of pursuit until they encampeG
before Iihahiroth, between Migdo
and the sea" When they pitched their
amp upon the farmstead of Pharaoh
between Migdol. the military watch
tower and the sea, then the Egyp
tianS. who had been engaged in per
forming The sacred ceremonial rites
for their dead. believing that they had
lost their way and were caught in q
cul de sac, followed them. The loss
OF cheap labor prompted them to at
tempt forcing the Hebrews back into
slayary.
Israel Imperiled.
ThesseVidence that they were being
approached by the Egyptian army
filed the Israelites with fear. They
were panic stricken. They did not
know anything about the way the
Red Sea receded under the influence
of the wind. They thought that they
were doomed to meet death or else be
forced back into worse slavery thar
they had experienced before when
they had been cruelty oppressed
They did not know Gods program
They were just commencing a life OF
faith. No one is ever completely de
livered from their old enemies, perils
and passions at the commencement OF
living life of faith. 1t is not t.
! he wondered at that under such cir
cumstances they. cried out to God and
complained to Moses about his leader
ship. Their escape appeared from q
human point of view hopelessly I'm
possible.
Moses faced the criticism of the
multitude with an outward poise, call
ing upon them to Fear not! Stand
still, and see the deliverance of the
! Lord" Ills calmness was due to his
deep-rooted faith in Gods wisdom
goodness and power. Like Washing
ton at Valley Forge, Moses found
that his confidence, conviction and
courage was sustained and strength
ened by communion with God. He
endured as seeing Him who is invis
ible" In the great crises in our
history our leaders have found heir
in their personal dependence upon the
Lord and the prayers of our people
1t is still our source of help and de
Tense. While Moses prayed God called
CONGREGATIONAL.