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possessions to the king； as had the Egyptians。 Jacob and his sons had
brought their flocks and herds with them to Egypt； where they had greatly
increased。 Before leaving Egypt； the people； by the direction of Moses；
claimed a recompense for their unpaid labor； and the Egyptians were too
eager to be freed from their presence to refuse them。 The bondmen went forth
laden with the spoil of their oppressors。
That day completed the history revealed to Abraham in prophetic vision
centuries before： 〃Thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not
theirs； and shall serve them； and they shall afflict them four hundred
years； and also that nation； whom they shall
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serve； will I judge： and afterward shall they come out with great
substance。〃 Genesis 15：13； 14。＇* SEE APPENDIX； NOTE 3。＇ The four hundred
years had been fulfilled。 〃And it came to pass the selfsame day； that the
Lord did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their
armies。〃 In their departure from Egypt the Israelites bore with them a
precious legacy； in the bones of Joseph； which had so long awaited the
fulfillment of God's promise； and which； during the dark years of bondage；
had been a reminder of Israel's deliverance。
Instead of pursuing the direct route to Canaan； which lay through the
country of the Philistines； the Lord directed their course southward； toward
the shores of the Red Sea。 〃For God said； Lest peradventure the people
repent when they see war； and they return to Egypt。〃 Had they attempted to
pass through Philistia； their progress would have been opposed； for the
Philistines； regarding them as slaves escaping from their masters； would not
have hesitated to make war upon them。 The Israelites were poorly prepared
for an encounter with that powerful and warlike people。 They had little
knowledge of God and little faith in Him； and they would have become
terrified and disheartened。 They were unarmed and unaccustomed to war； their
spirits were depressed by long bondage； and they were encumbered with women
and children； flocks and herds。 In leading them by the way of the Red Sea；
the Lord revealed Himself as a God of compassion as well as of judgment。
〃And they took their journey from Succoth； and encamped in Etham； in the
edge of the wilderness。 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of
cloud； to lead them the way； and by night in a pillar of fire； to give them
light； to go by day and night。 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by
day； nor the pillar of fire by night； from before the people。〃 Says the
psalmist； 〃He spread a cloud for a covering； and fire to give light in the
night。〃 Psalm 105：39。 See also I Corinthians 10：1； 2。 The standard of their
invisible Leader was ever with them。 By day the cloud directed their
journeyings or spread as a canopy above the host。 It served as a protection
from the burning heat； and by its coolness and moisture afforded grateful
refreshment in the parched； thirsty desert。 By night it became a pillar of
fire； illuminating their encampment and constantly assuring them of the
divine presence。
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In one of the most beautiful and comforting passages of Isaiah's prophecy；
reference is made to the pillar of cloud and of fire to represent God's care
for His people in the great final struggle with the powers of evil： 〃The
Lord will create upon every dwelling place of Mount Zion； and upon her
assemblies； a cloud and smoke by day； and the shining of a flaming fire by
night： for above all the glory shall be a covering。 And there shall be a
tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat； and for a place of
refuge； and for a covert from storm and from rain。〃 Isaiah 4：5； 6； margin。
Across a dreary； desertlike expanse they journeyed。 Already they began to
wonder whither their course would lead； they were becoming weary with the
toilsome way； and in some hearts began to arise a fear of pursuit by the
Egyptians。 But the cloud went forward； and they followed。 And now the Lord
directed Moses to turn aside into a rocky defile； and encamp beside the sea。
It was revealed to him that Pharaoh would pursue them； but that God would be
honored in their deliverance。
In Egypt the report was spread that the children of Israel； instead of
tarrying to worship in the desert； were pressing on toward the Red Sea。
Pharaoh's counselors declared to the king that their bondmen had fled； never
to return。 The people deplored their folly in attributing the death of the
first…born to the power of God。 Their great men； recovering from their
fears； accounted for the plagues as the result of natural causes。 〃Why have
we done this； that we have let Israel go from serving us？〃 was the bitter
cry。
Pharaoh collected his forces； 〃six hundred chosen chariots； and all the
chariots of Egypt；〃 horsemen； captains； and foot soldiers。 The king himself；
attended by the great men of his realm； headed the attacking army。 To secure
the favor of the gods； and thus ensure the success of their undertaking； the
priests also accompanied them。 The king was resolved to intimidate the
Israelites by a grand display of his power。 The Egyptians feared lest their
forced submission to the God of Israel should subject them to the derision
of other nations； but if they should now go forth with a great show of power
and bring back the fugitives； they would redeem their glory； as well as
recover the services of their bondmen。
The Hebrews were encamped beside the sea； whose waters
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presented a seemingly impassable barrier before them； while on the south a
rugged mountain obstructed their further progress。 Suddenly they beheld in
the distance the flashing armor and moving chariots betokening the advance
guard of a great army。 As the force drew nearer； the hosts of Egypt were
seen in full pursuit。 Terror filled the hearts of Israel。 Some cried unto
the Lord； but far the greater part hastened to Moses with their complaints：
〃Because there were no graves in Egypt； hast thou taken us away to die in
the wilderness？ wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us； to carry us forth
out of Egypt？ Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt； saying；
Let us alone； that we may serve the Egyptians？ For it had been better for us
to serve the Egyptians； than that we should die in the wilderness。〃
Moses was greatly troubled that his people should manifest so little faith
in God； notwithstanding they had repeatedly witnessed the manifestation of
His power in their behalf。 How could they charge upon him the dangers and
difficulties of their situation； when he had followed the express command of
God？ True； there was no possibility of deliverance unless God Himself should
interpose for their release； but having been brought into this position in
obedience to the divine direction； Moses felt no fear of the consequences。
His calm and assuring reply to the people was； 〃Fear ye not； stand still；
and see the salvation of the Lord； which He will show to you today： for the
Egyptians whom ye have seen today； ye shall see them again no more forever。
The Lord shall fight for you； and ye shall hold