Exodus 1:4:13-14 (Cont’d.)
WE KNOW that had God so willed it, the people of Israel could have made good a full escape from Egypt without this threat from their old enemy. Unless God had allowed it, neither Pharaoh, nor one of the Egyptians could have taken one step in pursuit of them. Why then, was Pharaoh permitted to advance in so threatening a manner, and instill such fear in those who had fled from his land? Certainly we can see the wisdom and purpose of God in all that took place.
The children of Israel had been sheltered by the blood of the Lamb on the night of judgment and terror in Egypt. The blood had kept the destroying angel of God out — this was the great thing on that night. But then they were still in Egypt and God was known only as Judge. Here, however, at Pi-hahiroth the great question is decided, “Was God to have them now, or Satan?” It was a moment of intense pressure in which they learned to “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.” For here it is that God takes the place of Saviour-God of His people.
Salvation always means a great deal more than that my sins are judged in the death of Christ, as typified in the passover lamb. Salvation means that I am brought consciously to know God in the triumph of redemption by Christ for me. It is the known destruction of all our foes, a complete deliverance from all that can be brought against us.
As for the Egyptian host — it was to be totally and ingloriously destroyed and that, not by some disaster back in the confines of their land, but Israel were to see their enemies dead on the seashore. Thus God would “get honor upon Pharaoh” where it would be visibly manifested to all. In this, too, they received a token of how He would do with their enemies on many another occasion in coming days. It became a vivid memorial in their history, which their thoughts were often called. Prophetically, this was a for shadowing of the coming day of tribulation, when the faithful remnant of Israel will cry unto God for deliverance from their enemies and will destroy their oppressors completely. In that day they will declare: “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him... we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” Isaiah 25:99And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. (Isaiah 25:9).
But we may be sure this experience, at the start of the long journey, was for the instruction and encouragement of His people. They were here to learn that they could not go in their own strength at all and to prove, more blessedly, that Jehovah Himself would be with them in every circumstance, if they would but “Stand still and see His salvation.”
It is good for us to prove the effect of this, too. “If God be for us, wilt can be against us?” should not only prove a bulwark against Satan, but a cheer and comfort to the heart of every believer, who is thus assured that he does not walk the earthly pathway alone. One is there who will never leave nor forsake His own Trials will come indeed. The Chris tian is not promised a smooth and unruffled way through this world but His promise is, “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee” and the soul trusting this is thus enriched through trial and testing in a way that would never be experienced if all of life wen but a tranquil sea. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:77That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 1:7).
ML-07/06/1969