The Deliverance from Egypt

Notes

"If the descendants of Abraham had kept the covenant, of which circumcision was a sign, they would never have been seduced into idolatry, nor would it have been necessary for them to suffer a life of bondage in Egypt."—"Patriarchs and Prophets," page 364.

Notes

Why was it necessary that the child Jesus should go down into Egypt? Read Matt. 2:13-15.

Note the evidences that the deliverance from Egypt was by faith.

When will the song of Moses (Exodus 15) be sung again? What will it then be called? Why?

What parallel is there between the false miracles wrought by the magicians of Egypt and those mentioned in Rev. 13:13, 14.

What has been the work of prophets in connection with some of the marked experiences of the people of God? Read Hosea 12:13; Ezra 6:14; Matt. 11:7-9. What might naturally be expected in this second advent movement?

Observe some of the lessons connected with the experiences of the children of Israel? Read 1 Cor. 10:1-11 and Heb. 3:16 to 4:2.

Of what was the way out of Egypt a type? Read Isa. 11:15, 16 and 51:9-16.

"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, and had they neglected to separate their children from the Egyptians, had they slain the lamb, but failed to strike the door-post 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.

"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 cooperate with these saving agencies; he must appreciate and use the helps that God has provided, —believe and obey all the divine requirements. . . .

"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 was 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 door-post, and joined the 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 blood—the sign of a Saviour's protection—was on their doors and the destroyer entered not."—"Patriarchs and Prophets," pages 278, 279.

"The people were weary and terrified, yet if they had held back when Moses bade them advance, God would never have opened the path for them. It was 'by faith' that 'they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land.' In marching down to the very water, they showed that they believed the word of God as spoken by Moses. They did all that was in their power to do, and then the Mighty One of Israel divided the sea to make a path for their feet.

"The great lesson here taught is for all time. Often the Christian life is beset by dangers, and duty seems hard to perform. The imagination pictures impending ruin before, and bondage or death behind. Yet the voice of God speaks clearly, 'Go forward.' We should obey this command, even though our eyes can not penetrate the darkness, and we feel the cold waves about our feet. The obstacles that hinder our progress will never disappear before a halting, doubting spirit. Those who defer obedience till every shadow of uncertainty disappears, and there remains no risk of failure or defeat, will never obey at all. Unbelief whispers, 'Let us wait till the obstructions are removed, and we can see our way clearly,' but faith courageously urges an advance, hoping all things, believing all things."—Id., page 290.