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exceedingly angry, and humbled not himself. And when the Egyptians
saw the great preparations being made among the Israelites for that
dreadful night, they ridiculed the token of blood upon their door-posts.
But when the Egyptians, from the king upon his throne down to the
lowliest servant, were afflicted, and their first-born were slain, then
there was wailing throughout all Egypt. Then Pharaoh remembered his
proud boast, “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.” He humbled
himself and went with his counselors and his rulers to Goshen in haste,
and bowed before Moses and Aaron, and bid them go and serve their
God. Their flocks and herds should go also as they had requested.
They implored them to be gone, fearing if they continued longer, they
would be all as dead men. Pharaoh also entreated Moses to bless him,
thinking at the time that a blessing from the servant of God would
protect him from the further effects of the dreadful plague.
The Israelites left Egypt in haste, yet in order. They were divided
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into several bodies, and each division had its leader. The obstinacy
of Pharaoh was such that after they had buried their dead, and they
saw that the dreadful judgments of God had ceased, he repented of
having given Moses permission to depart. The Egyptians regretted that
they had been so foolish as to think that the death of their first-born
was the result of the power of God. They asked in bitterness of one
another, Why have we done this and let Israel go from serving us?
Pharaoh prepared a well-equipped army, composed of the priests of
their idol gods, and of the rulers, and all the great men of his kingdom.
They thought if their priests accompanied them, they would be more
sure of success. The most mighty of Egypt were selected that they
might intimidate the Israelites with the grand display of their power
and greatness. They thought that when the news should reach other
nations, that they were compelled to yield to the power of the God
of Israel whom they had despised, they would be looked upon with
derision. But if they should go with great pomp, and bring Israel back
with force, they would redeem their glory, and would also have the
services of the children of Israel again. They overtook the Hebrews
at the Red Sea. This place was appointed for the last display of the
power of God before the infatuated Egyptians. In the morning they
came up to the Red Sea, and saw the Hebrew host walking upon a dry
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