124
Spiritual Gifts, Volume 3
of God he was free to go before Pharaoh, and there was nothing in the
way to hinder the ministration of angels in connection with his work.
In the time of trouble, just previous to the coming of Christ, the
lives of the righteous will be preserved through the ministration of
holy angels. Those who come up to that trying time, neglecting to
obey God’s commands, will have no security of their lives. Angels
cannot protect them from the wrath of their enemies while they are
living in neglect of any known duty, or express command of Jehovah.
The Lord had informed Moses that Aaron, his brother, three years
older than himself, would come forth to meet him, and when he should
see him, would be glad. They had been separated for many years.
Angels of God had instructed Moses in regard to the work he should
perform. Angels also were sent to teach Aaron to go forth and meet
Moses, for the Lord had chosen him to be with Moses, and when he
should meet his brother to listen to his words, for God had given Moses
[197]
words to speak to him in regard to the part he should act in connection
with the deliverance of Israel. “And the Lord said to Aaron, Go into
the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mount
of God, and kissed him. And Moses told Aaron all the words of the
Lord who had sent him, and all the signs which he had commanded
him. And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders
of the children of Israel. And Aaron spake all the words which the
Lord had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the
people. And the people believed. And when they heard that the Lord
had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their
affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped.”
The Hebrews expected to be delivered from their bondage without
any particular trial of their faith, or suffering on their part. They were
many of them ready to leave Egypt, but not all. The habits of some had
become so much like the Egyptians that they preferred to remain with
them. “And afterward, Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh,
Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may
hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. And Pharaoh said, Who is the
Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord,
neither will I let Israel go. And they said, The God of the Hebrews
hath met with us; let us go, we pray thee, three days’ journey into the
[198]
desert, and sacrifice unto the Lord our God, lest he fall upon us with
pestilence, or with the sword.” The request of Moses and Aaron was