Basic HTML Version
Israel’s Escape From Bondage
95
“And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and
herds, even very much cattle.” The children of Israel went out of
Egypt with their possessions, which did not belong to Pharaoh, for
they had never sold them to him. Jacob and his sons took their flocks
and cattle with them into Egypt. The children of Israel had become
exceedingly numerous, and their flocks and herds had greatly in-
creased. God had judged the Egyptians by sending the plagues upon
them, and made them hasten His people out of Egypt with all that
they possessed.
“And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that
God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines,
although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people
repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: but God led the
people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And
the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.
And Moses took the bones of Joseph up with him: for he had straitly
sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and
[121]
ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.
The Pillar of Fire
“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 a 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.”
The Lord knew that the Philistines would oppose their passing
through their land. They would say of them, They have stolen
away from their masters in Egypt, and would make war with them.
Thus God, by bringing them by way of the sea, revealed Himself
a compassionate God as well as a God of judgment. The Lord
informed Moses that Pharaoh would pursue them, and He directed
him just where to encamp before the sea. He told Moses that He
would be honored before Pharaoh and all his host.
After the Hebrews had been gone from Egypt some days, the
Egyptians told Pharaoh that they had fled and would never return
to serve him again. And they mourned because they had permitted