224
Patriarchs and Prophets
of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand
to slay us.”
[259]
As Moses listened to these reproaches he was greatly distressed.
The sufferings of the people had been much increased. All over the
land a cry of despair went up from old and young, and all united
in charging upon him the disastrous change in their condition. In
bitterness of soul he went before God, with the cry, “Lord, wherefore
hast Thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that Thou hast sent
me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Thy name, he hath done
evil to this people; neither hast Thou delivered Thy people at all.” The
answer was, “Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with
a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he
drive them out of his land.” Again he was pointed back to the covenant
which God had made with the fathers, and was assured that it would
be fulfilled.
During all the years of servitude in Egypt there had been among
the Israelites some who adhered to the worship of Jehovah. These
were sorely troubled as they saw their children daily witnessing the
abominations of the heathen, and even bowing down to their false
gods. In their distress they cried unto the Lord for deliverance from
the Egyptian yoke, that they might be freed from the corrupting influ-
ence of idolatry. They did not conceal their faith, but declared to the
Egyptians that the object of their worship was the Maker of heaven
and earth, the only true and living God. They rehearsed the evidences
of His existence and power, from creation down to the days of Jacob.
The Egyptians thus had an opportunity to become acquainted with the
religion of the Hebrews; but disdaining to be instructed by their slaves,
they tried to seduce the worshipers of God by promises of reward, and,
this failing, by threats and cruelty.
The elders of Israel endeavored to sustain the sinking faith of
their brethren by repeating the promises made to their fathers, and the
prophetic words of Joseph before his death, foretelling their deliver-
ance from Egypt. Some would listen and believe. Others, looking at
the circumstances that surrounded them, refused to hope. The Egyp-
tians, being informed of what was reported among their bondmen,
derided their expectations and scornfully denied the power of their
God. They pointed to their situation as a nation of slaves, and taunt-
ingly said, “If your God is just and merciful, and possesses power