Chapter 3—Go Forward
The vast armies of Israel marched in glad triumph from Egypt,
the scene of their long and cruel servitude. The Egyptians would not
consent to release them until they had been signally warned by the
judgments of God. The avenging angel had visited every house among
the Egyptians and had stricken with death the first-born of every family.
None had escaped, from the heir of Pharaoh to the eldest-born of the
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captive in his dungeon. The first-born of the cattle also were slain
according to the mandate of the Lord. But the angel of death passed
over the homes of the children of Israel and did not enter there.
Pharaoh, horror-stricken at the plagues that had befallen his people,
called Moses and Aaron before him in the night and bade them depart
from Egypt. He was anxious that they should go without delay; for he
and his people feared that unless the curse of God was removed from
them, the land would become a vast burial ground.
The children of Israel were joyful to receive the tidings of their
freedom and made haste to leave the scene of their bondage. But the
way was toilsome, and at length their courage failed. Their journey led
them over barren hills and desolate plains. The third night they found
themselves walled in on each side by mountain ranges, while the Red
Sea lay before them. They were perplexed and greatly deplored their
condition. They blamed Moses for conducting them to this place, for
they believed they had taken the wrong course. “This surely,” said they,
“is not the way to the wilderness of Sinai, nor to the land of Canaan
promised to our fathers. We can go no farther; but must now advance
into the waters of the Red Sea, or turn back toward Egypt.”
Then, as if to complete their misery, behold, the Egyptian host
is on their track! The imposing army is led by Pharaoh himself,
who has repented that he freed the Hebrews and fears that he has
sent them out to become a great nation hostile to himself. What a
night of perplexity and distress was this for Israel! What a contrast
to that glorious morning when they left the bondage of Egypt and
with glad rejoicings took up the line of march into the wilderness!
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