fore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?

12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.

13 ¶ And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: 'for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

15 ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:

16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.

17 And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.

19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them :

20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.

22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

23 ¶ And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horse

men.

24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians.

25 And took off their chariot wheels, 'that

they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.

26 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.

27 And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD 'overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the

sea.

28 And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.

29 But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.

31 And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.

(1) Or, for whereas ye have (2) Or, and made them to go seen the Egyptians to day, heavily. &c. (3) Heb. shook off. (4) Heb. hand.

THE Israelites are safe. Where are their enemies? Where is Pharaoh? Where are his enraged subjects and armies? Moses had said, "I will see thy face again no more" (ch. x. 29). Those words intimate Pharaoh's end. The Lord had declared he would cut him off from the earth (ch. ix. 15.) That denunciation was not yet fulfilled; but now it was soon to come to pass; the destroyer of others was himself to be destroyed. His latter end would display as marvellous a judgment of God as had ever yet taken place; even beyond all the other plagues which had been inflicted upon Egypt!

"It was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us? And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him" (v. 5, 6). Thus he meditated revenge, and determined, if possible,

you.

Meanwhile the Lord is preparing the means by which Pharaoh would be overthrown and destroyed. Instead of leading the people straight on towards the land of Canaan, by the nearest way, he led them about through the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. That was their first movement. In this chapter they were directed to turn, and pitch their camp in another backward direction. To some this might appear a strange proceeding; but the event proved that it was wisely ordered for the good of the Israelites, and for God's glory. Never judge of providential leadings by present appearances. Pray and wait, and you will soon see that even the most adverse circumstances have been mercifully ordered for your good.

Behold the present instance. No sooner did Pharaoh hear of the course of the journey of the Israelites than he made sure of success. They are now (thought he) in my power; they cannot escape; the wilderness hath shut them in. With vengeance in his heart, and fury in his eyes, he prepared his armies and followed after to crush them by his power. But

that very attempt issued in his own overthrow. That very path led to his own utter ruin. Thus the Lord takes "the wise in their own craftiness," and destroys the wicked by their own counsels! (Job v. 13.)

View the children of Israel. How greatly are they perplexed and distressed! Nothing but destruction did they expect. Before them was the Red Sea; on either side was the howling wilderness; behind were Pharaoh and his armies marching after them; and what shall they do? To escape is impossible; to resist is vain. Is there no hope? "The children of Israel cried unto the Lord." That cry went up to the heavens, and brought deliverance down. "Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to-day. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace" (v. 13, 14). Blessed assurance!

But in what way shall this final victory be achieved? The command is, to march forward; and I will open a path through the midst of the waters; my people shall march through in safety; and there shall their enemies be destroyed for ever. Moses obeys. He lifts his rod; he smites the waters; the way opens; the people march on; and Pharaoh follows. They are now in the midst of the sea; the command is given; the waters return to their place; Pharaoh and all his hosts perish in the mighty deep; the people look on in silence; they view the utter overthrow, and praise the God of their salvation.

Thus, too, will all the ransomed of the Lord triumph in his love. All present difficulties shall be overcome. All future trials

shall be surmounted. All final obstacles shall be vanquished also. Through the opened way they shall march on, and pass through the deep waters of death itself, where all their foes and fears shall perish, and they shall stand at last victorious conquerors on the shores of eternal bliss.

CHAPTER XV.

1 Moses' song. 22 The people want water. 23 The waters at Marah are bitter. 25 A tree sweeteneth them. 27 At Elim are twelve wells, and seventy palm trees. Israel this song unto the LORD, and HEN sang Moses and the children of spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.

3 The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.

4 Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.

5 The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.

6 Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.

7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.

8 And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.

9 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall 'destroy them.

10 Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty

waters.

11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

12 Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.

13 Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.

14 The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.

15 Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.

16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.

17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant

them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O LORD, which thy hands have established.

18 The LORD shall reign for ever and ever. 19 For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.

20 ¶ And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.

21 And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.

23 ¶ And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called 'Marah.

24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

25 And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,

26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

27¶ And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the

waters.

(1) Or, repossess. (2) Or, mighty ones? (3) That is, Bitterness.

WE have seen the overthrow of Pharaoh; we are now to celebrate the triumphs of Israel. Gloriously had the Lord triumphed over his enemies; joyfully do his people celebrate his praises. It is said at the conclusion of the last chapter, that "Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore." They saw that great work which the Lord did upon them, and they feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his servant Moses" (ch. xiv. 30). Now they praise and glorify his name.

What a song of praise is this! How glorious! how triumphant! The horse and the rider had been thrown into the sea. Pharaoh's chariots and hosts, his chief captains, and all his mighty armies, were drowned in the sea. The depths covered them. They sank in the mighty waters like a stone. The right hand of the Lord was glorious in power. It dashed the enemy in pieces. With the blast of his nostrils the waters were gathered together. The flood stood upright. The depths were congealed. The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil. My lust shall be satisfied upon them. I will draw my sword: my hand shall destroy them. Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them; they sank as lead in the mighty waters (v. 1-10).

Well might Israel say, "Who is like unto thee, O Lord? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?" (v. 11.) Well might they reiterate.

the joyful truth, "Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power; thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy" (v. 6). Well might they glory in his name, and say, "The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name" (v.2,3).

Thus Israel sang the triumphs of their mighty deliverance. Thus they praised the Lord, and rejoiced in his salvation. But is this song of triumph to be limited to Israel alone? Is the Lord to be praised only for temporal deliverance, or national salvation? Is not the Lord to be praised by all his people? Is he not to be praised for the life of our souls, as well as the safety of our bodies? May not every believer in Jesus say, "O Lord, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation." (Is. xii. 1, 2.) Hath not the Lord often wrought wonders for his people? Hath he not often delivered them from enemies and perils as great as those from which he delivered Israel in the chapter before us? How many Pharaohs have threatened, from time to time, to destroy the church of God! How many devices have been framed! how many schemes have been formed for that bloody and murderous enterprise! Yet the Lord interposed and defeated all, and made the nations to see that he careth for his people.

Let the people of God gather courage. Soon the time will come when the song of Moses will be combined with that of the Lamb, and all the redeemed of the Lord will shout their full and complete victory over every enemy that hath done evil in the sanctuary; yes, every antichrist shall be destroyed; Babylon shall fall; the church of God shall celebrate the triumph, and walk at large in the glorious liberty of his children. Then it shall be seen and known that "the Lord God omnipotent reigneth," and that Jesus the Prince of life, the great captain of our salvation, is "King of kings, and Lord of lords." (Rev. xix. 16.)

In the meantime we must not forget that we are in the wilderness. Whilst we are here we must expect the trials and vicissitudes of the present state. The people soon found they wanted water. And we shall soon find that we want grace and mercy to help in every time of need. They cried unto the Lord. So should we do likewise. The Lord heard their cry, and granted their request. So will he hear the prayer of faith, and grant the desire of the soul that asks for Jesu's sake. Have we not often had reason to say,

66

This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles?" (Ps. xxxiv. 6.)

Let us not forget, then, that the voice of every mercy is, thou shalt "diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and do that which is right in his sight" (v. 26). This is the proper evidence of a true sense of all our mercies. If we have been healed by the Lord, we must shew the health of our souls by loving the Lord that healed us. Thus we shall find many sweet seasons of refreshment by the way, as the Israelites encamped by the palm trees after the bitter waters of Marah. We shall sit under the shadow of Christ with delight, and his fruit will be sweet to our taste. We shall be refreshed by the way; we shall gather strength for our journey; and we shall come at last to the rest which remaineth for the people of God. (Cant. ii. 3.)

CHAPTER XVI.

1 The Israelites come to Sin. 2 They murmur for want of bread. 4 God promiseth them bread from heaven. 11 Quails are sent, 14 and manna. 16 The ordering of manna. 25 It was not to be found on the sabbath. 32 An omer of it is preserved.

ND they took their journey from Elim,

and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt.

2 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:

3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us

forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

4 ¶ Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather 'a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

5 And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.

6 And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel, At even, then ye shall know that the LORD hath brought you out from the land of Egypt:

7 And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD: and what are we, that ye murmur against us?

8 And Moses said, This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD.

9 And Moses spake unto Aaron, Say unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, Come near before the LORD: for he hath heard your murmurings.

10 And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud.

11 ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

12 I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God.

13 And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host.

14 And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground.

15 And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.

16¶ This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your 'persons;

take ye every man for them which are in his

tents.

17 And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.

18 And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating.

19 And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning.

20 Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank : and Moses was wroth with them.

21 And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted.

22 And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses.

23 And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.

24 And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein.

25 And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the LORD: to day ye shall not find it in the field.

26 Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none.

27¶ And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none.

28 And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?

29 See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.

30 So the people rested on the seventh day.

31 And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.

32¶ And Moses said, This is the thing which the LORD commandeth, Fill an omer of it to be kept for your generations; that they may see the bread wherewith I have fed you in the