按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
must receive and assimilate the word of God so that it shall become the
motive power of life and action。 By the power of Christ they must be changed
into His likeness； and reflect the divine attributes。 They must eat the
flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God； or there is no life in them。
The spirit and work of Christ must become the spirit and work of His
disciples。
The lamb was to be eaten with bitter herbs； as pointing back to the
bitterness of the bondage in Egypt。 So when we feed upon Christ； it should
be with contrition of heart； because of our sins。 The use of unleavened
bread also was significant。 It was expressly enjoined in the law of the
Passover； and as strictly observed by the Jews in their practice； that no
leaven should be found in their houses during the feast。 In like manner the
leaven of sin must be put away from all who would receive life and
nourishment from Christ。 So Paul writes to the Corinthian church； 〃Purge out
therefore the old leaven； that ye may be a new lump。 。 。 。 For even Christ
our Passover is sacrificed for us： therefore let us keep the feast； not with
old leaven； neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness； but with the
unleavened bread of sincerity and truth。〃 1 Corinthians 5：7； 8。
Before obtaining freedom； the bondmen must show their faith in the great
deliverance about to be accomplished。 The token of blood must be placed upon
their houses； and they must separate themselves and their families from the
Egyptians； and gather within their own dwellings。 Had the Israelites
disregarded in any particular the directions given them； had they neglected
to separate their children from the Egyptians； had they slain the lamb； but
failed to strike the doorpost with blood； or had any gone out of their
houses； they would not have been secure。 They might have honestly believed
that they had done all that was necessary； but their sincerity would not
have saved them。 All who failed to heed the Lord's directions would lose
their first…born by the hand of the destroyer。
279
By obedience the people were to give evidence of their faith。 So all who
hope to be saved by the merits of the blood of Christ should realize that
they themselves have something to do in securing their salvation。 While it
is Christ only that can redeem us from the penalty of transgression； we are
to turn from sin to obedience。 Man is to be saved by faith； not by works；
yet his faith must be shown by his works。 God has given His Son to die as a
propitiation for sin； He has manifested the light of truth； the way of life；
He has given facilities； ordinances； and privileges； and now man must
co…operate with these saving agencies； he must appreciate and use the helps
that God has providedbelieve and obey all the divine requirements。
As Moses rehearsed to Israel the provisions of God for their deliverance；
〃the people bowed the head and worshiped。〃 The glad hope of freedom； the
awful knowledge of the impending judgment upon their oppressors； the cares
and labors incident to their speedy departureall were for the time
swallowed up in gratitude to their gracious Deliverer。 Many of the Egyptians
had been led to acknowledge the God of the Hebrews as the only true God； and
these now begged to be permitted to find shelter in the homes of Israel when
the destroying angel should pass through the land。 They were gladly
welcomed； and they pledged themselves henceforth to serve the God of Jacob
and to go forth from Egypt with His people。
The Israelites obeyed the directions that God had given。 Swiftly and
secretly they made their preparations for departure。 Their families were
gathered； the paschal lamb slain； the flesh roasted with fire； the
unleavened bread and bitter herbs prepared。 The father and priest of the
household sprinkled the blood upon the doorpost； and joined his family
within the dwelling。 In haste and silence the paschal lamb was eaten。 In awe
the people prayed and watched； the heart of the eldest born； from the strong
man down to the little child； throbbing with indefinable dread。 Fathers and
mothers clasped in their arms their loved first…born as they thought of the
fearful stroke that was to fall that night。 But no dwelling of Israel was
visited by the death…dealing angel。 The sign of bloodthe sign of a
Saviour's protectionwas on their doors； and the destroyer entered not。
At midnight 〃there was a great cry in Egypt： for there was
280
not a house where there was not one dead。〃 All the first…born in the land；
〃from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of
the captive that was in the dungeon； and all the firstborn of cattle〃 had
been smitten by the destroyer。 Throughout the vast realm of Egypt the pride
of every household had been laid low。 The shrieks and wails of the mourners
filled the air。 King and courtiers； with blanched faces and trembling limbs；
stood aghast at the overmastering horror。 Pharaoh remembered how he had once
exclaimed； 〃Who is Jehovah； that I should obey His voice to let Israel go？ I
know not Jehovah； neither will I let Israel go。〃 Now； his heaven…daring
pride humbled in the dust； he 〃called for Moses and Aaron by night； and
said； Rise up； and get you forth from among my people； both ye and the
children of Israel； and go； serve the Lord； as ye have said。 Also take your
flocks and your herds； as ye have said。 。 。 。 And be gone； and bless me
also。〃 The royal counselors also and the people entreated the Israelites to
depart 〃out of the land in haste； for they said； We be all dead men。〃
（281）
Chapter 25
The Exodus
With their loins girt； with sandaled feet； and staff in hand； the people of
Israel had stood； hushed； awed； yet expectant； awaiting the royal mandate
that should bid them go forth。 Before the morning broke； they were on their
way。 During the plagues； as the manifestation of God's power had kindled
faith in the hearts of the bondmen and had struck terror to their
oppressors； the Israelites had gradually assembled themselves in Goshen； and
notwithstanding the suddenness of their flight； some provision had already
been made for the necessary organization and control of the moving
multitudes； they being divided into companies； under appointed leaders。
And they went out； 〃about six hundred thousand on foot that were men； beside
children。 And a mixed multitude went up also with them。〃 In this multitude
were not only those who were actuated by faith in the God of Israel； but
also a far greater number who desired only to escape from the plagues； or
who followed in the wake of the moving multitudes merely from excitement and
curiosity。 This class were ever a hindrance and a snare to Israel。
The people took also with them 〃flocks； and herds； even very much cattle。〃
These were the property of the Israelites； who had never sold their
possessions to the king； as had the Egyptians。 Jacob and his sons had
brought their flocks and herds with them to Egypt； wher