Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/188

 Thus did  the  Lord,  by  a splendid  miracle,  deliver  the  Hebrews that day  from  the  Egyptians. And the  people  feared  the  Lord,  and believed in  Him,  and  in  Moses,  His  servant. “And the  children of Israel  came  into  Elim,  where  there  were  twelve  fountains  of waters  and  seventy  palm-trees,  and  they  encamped  by  the  waters.”

The almighty  Power  of  God  divided  the  waters,  held  them  up  as walls  on  either  side,  made  the  burning  wind  to  blow,  and  the  lightning to strike  the  Egyptians.

God's Goodness to  His  people  is  shown  throughout  the  whole  story. First, He  led  His  people  by  a visible  means,  the  pillar  of  cloud. Then He  worked  a great miracle, and  saved  them, for good  and  all,  from the power  of  the  Egyptians. By the  destruction of their  army  the  Egyptians were  so  weakened, and the  damage  done  to them  so  lasting,  that  they were unable  to  molest the Israelites,  the  whole time they  were  wandering in the  wilderness.



The retributive  Justice of  God.  Pharao’s terrible end  was  a punishment for  his  impenitence and obstinate  resistance to God’s grace. His people were  punished also, and  perished  with  him. The Egyptians  drowned  the  Israelite babes in  the  Nile,  and,  in  punishment  for  this,  their  sons  were  drowned in  the  sea. How terrible  is  God’s  justice!

Confidence in  God.  While  the  Israelites,  filled  with  fear,  called upon the  Lord  for  help,  Moses  remained  perfectly  calm. Full of  confidence in  God,  he  said  to  the  people:  “Fear  nothing! The Lord  will fight for  you”: and  his  confidence  was  justified  and  rewarded; for  God, to  whom  nature  is  subject,  sent  thunder  and  lightning,  wind  and  rain