Chapter 25—The Exodus
This chapter is based on
Exodus 12:34-51
;
13-15
.
With their loins girt, with sandaled feet, and staff in hand, the peo-
ple 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 assem-
bled 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, 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 serve, will I judge: and
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afterward shall they come out with great substance.”
Genesis 15:13,
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