OUR chapter last month treated on the injunction “Sit still”; which we observed is a position becoming one who is waiting for the Lord.
When Israel were in Egypt as bondsmen for two hundred and fifteen years, although they had to labor under cruel taskmasters, they were in respect to the Lord’s mind sitting still for His deliverance; but “their cry came up unto God.” “And God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.”
Moses, their future deliverer, is keeping watch over a flock of sheep belonging to Jethro his father-in-law, when “the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush,” which although burning was not consumed. Moses was about to turn aside to see this great sight, when the Lord called unto him out of the midst of the bush by hi name, and warned him not to draw nigh, for the place whereon he stood was holy ground. Moses hid his face, but the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I knoll their sorrows; and I am come down to deliver them.” And God confirmed it by declaring His name, “I AM THAT I AM,” saying, “Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name forever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.”
The Lord however assured Moses that the king of Egypt would not let Israel go, “no, not by a mighty hand”; but “I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in thy midst thereof; and after that he will let you go.” And God did as He had said. He plagued the Egyptians with sore plagues and judgments, and finally cut off all the firstborn of every household, from the king to the peasant, and also all the firstborn of cattle; which produced such a cry in Egypt that the Egyptians became urgent for the Israelites to depart. They went forth with all their children, and their cattle, and a mixed multitude went also with them.
The eating of the lamb and the sprinkling of its blood on the two side-posts, and on the upper doorpost of the houses where the lamb was eaten, saved the children of Israel from the destroying angel; and it became a night to be much observed unto the Lord for bringing them out of the land of Egypt.
“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 they took their journey towards the wilderness and the Red Sea; and the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them in the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night.
By the Lord withdrawing His restraint from Pharaoh, his heart became hardened; and knowing that the wilderness had shut the children of Israel in, he made ready his chariots to the number of six hundred, and pursued after them and overtook them encamping by the sea.
“And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid; and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord.” But they murmured against Moses, and wished themselves back into Egypt; whereupon Moses said, “Fear ye not; stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord which he will show to you to-day; for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to-day, ye shall see them again no more forever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”
The Lord went before them as a man of war, dividing the sea, that it became a wall on either side, while the people passed over. The Egyptians assayed to follow them, but were overthrown by the mighty waters returning upon them, so that not one of them escaped. The Lord blew with His wind, the sea covered them, they sank as lead in the depths of the sea. Hence Miriam sang: “Sing ye to the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea.”
Some generations after this wonderful deliverance, when the children of Israel were settled in the promised land, they were brought into trouble by reason of a great multitude which invaded their land. Jehoshaphat, who was then king, set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah, and in his prayer uttered these pathetic words, “O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are unto Thee.”
Whereupon the Spirit of God came on Jahaziel, and bid them not to fear, saying, “The battle is not yours, but God’s. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed.”
So certain were they of victory that they went forth to meet their enemies with singing and praising the Lord, “for His mercy endureth forever.” And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah: and they were smitten by each one helping to destroy the other, without the hand of Judah touching them; so that when Judah came toward the watch-tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.
These two historical instances recorded in the Word of God remain as memorials of God’s deliverances in time of trouble, and on each occasion were the people of God commanded to stand still, while the Lord of hosts did wondrously. What was written aforetime is for our learning and encouragement. To stand still in time of trouble and danger is not easy; but many of the people of God have proved that by so doing the Lord has carried them safely through to His honor and glory, and wrought wondrously for them.
New Cross.
S. B.