THE EXODUS.

      (1). The flight of Moses to Midian. Moses made the first effort to emancipate his enslaved brethren. At the age of forty he forsook the court of Pharaoh and attempted to ally himself with the chosen people (Ex., 2:11,12; Acts, 7:22-25; Heb., 11:23-27). His brethren understood him not; his efforts on their behalf were futile, and he was compelled to flee for Midian for his life (Ex., 2:11-15).

      (2). Sojourn in Midian. Moses spent forty years in Midian (Acts, 7:29, 30). He married Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro, a descendant of Abraham by his wife Keturah (Gen., 25:1-3; Ex., 2:16-25), and became the father of two sons (Ex., 2:22; 4:20; 18:1-4). [23]

      (3). Moses' Commission. While in the land of Midian, Moses led the quiet and peaceful life of a shepherd (Ex., 3:1). The angel of the Lord appeared to him in the burning bush and commanded him to return to Egypt and lead his brethren out of their bitter bondage (Ex., 3:2-10; Acts, 7:30-35). Moses declined to go because, (a) of his insignificance, (Ex., 3:11, 12), (b) the fear that his brethren would not believe him (Ex., 4:1), (c) and his inability to speak with fluency (Ex., 4:10-12).

      (4). Aaron chosen. The Lord met every objection urged by Moses, but still he persisted in his desire to shrink from the task (Ex., 3:2-22; 4:1-13). Aaron was therefore selected to assist him and to be the spokesman (Ex., 4:14-16).

      (5). The return to Egypt. Moses departed from Midian, taking his wife and two sons with him. On the way the Lord met him and was about to take his life, but this calamity was averted by Zipporah, who took a sharp stone and circumcised her son (Ex., 4:18-26).

      (6). Brothers meet. Moses and Aaron met at the mount of God. After an affectionate greeting Moses communicated to him the word of the Lord and showed him the signs that had been given him (Ex., 4:27, 28).

      (7). Arrival in Egypt. They arrived in Egypt and informed the elders of Israel of the revelation from God, and the people believed and bowed their heads in worship (Ex., 4:30, 31).

      (8). Demand on Pharaoh. Moses and Aaron approached the king and in the name of God demanded the release of his children. Pharaoh insolently and rebelliously refused the request, and the great contest between the King of Heaven and the mighty earthly potentate [24] began (Ex., 5:1-6).

      (9). Ten Plagues. The Lord plagued the Egyptians in order to multiply His signs and wonders, and that they might know that He is God (Ex., 7:1-5). The first nine plagues were (a) the waters turned to blood (Ex., 7:15-25), (b) frogs filled the land (Ex., 8:1-14), (c) lice afflicted people and beasts (Ex., 8:16-19), (d) flies filled the land (Ex., 8:20-24), (e) murrain destroyed the cattle (Ex., 9:1-7), (f) people afflicted with boils and blains (Ex., 9:8-14), (g) hail smote the growing crops (Ex., 9:13-35), (h) locusts filled the land (Ex., 10:13-15), (i) and darkness covered Egypt (Ex., 10:21-23).

      (10). Special command to Moses. The Lord commanded Moses to tell the people to borrow of their Egyptian neighbors jewels of silver and gold (Ex., 11:1, 2). The justice of this command can be seen in the fact that they had served the Egyptians many years without remuneration (Ex., 1:6-14; 5:1-19).

      (11). Harmony of Ex., 9:6, 19, 25. It is asserted that all the cattle of Egypt died. But it is plain that only the cattle died that remained (Ex., 9:3) in the field during the murrain. The cattle that were destroyed by the hail-storm were those that were saved from the murrain (Ex., 9:17-25).

      (12). Explanation of Ex., 9:16; Rom., 9:17. The Egyptians were idolators (Ex., 5:1-3; 9:30; 14:18). Pharaoh was "raised up" in order that God might manifest His power and glory. "Raised up" has no reference to his birth or his elevation to the throne of Egypt. It means "roused up" or "made to stand." When Moses and Aaron demanded the release of the Hebrews he wickedly, rebelliously and insolently denied the true God [25] and refused to let them go (Ex., 5:1-3). He had already made himself a vessel of wrath fitted for destruction (Rom., 9:22). God listened to the cries of His people and endured for a while this vessel fitted for destruction, and at last, when the time came, unloosed the burning fires of judgment, roused Pharaoh up from his infidelity, and proclaimed his name throughout Egypt, and in the ears of Israel (Ex., 7:5; 14:17, 18, 31).

      (13). The Passover. The Lord commanded Moses to speak unto the children of Israel and command them to select a lamb for each household on the tenth day of the month, assuring them that this should be to them the first month of the year (Ex., 12:1-5). They were to keep the lamb until the fourteenth day of the month and kill it at the going down of the sun. They were to strike the posts of the doors of their dwellings with the blood. They were to roast the flesh and eat it in haste, with bitter herbs and unleavened bread (Ex., 12:6-20). On that night the Lord passed through the land and smote the first born of man and beast (Ex., 12:21-29).

      (14). The Emancipation Proclamation. When Pharaoh heard the mighty cry he called for Moses and Aaron and gave them permission to depart and take their property with them (Ex., 12:30-33).

      (15). The Departure. The children of Israel departed from Rameses two thousand five hundred and thirteen years after the creation of Adam (Gen., 5:3-32; 7:6; 11:10-32; 12:4, 5; 21:5; 25:26; 41:46, 53, 54; 45:4-6; 47:9; 50:26; Ex., 7:7; 12:40, 41; Gal., 3:17). There were six hundred thousand men. Allowing one woman to each man, [26] and two children to each family, the population was at least two million four hundred thousand (Ex., 12:37).

      (16). Sanctification of the first born. In memory of the preservation of the children of Israel during the last night in Egypt, the Lord took unto himself the first born of man and beast (Ex., 13:1-16).

      (17). The precious burden. The triumphant host of Israel carried the remains of their great benefactor Joseph with them (Gen., 50:24-26; Ex., 13:19).

      (18). The Great Leader. As they departed from Egypt the Lord went before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Ex., 13:20-22).

      (19). At the Red Sea. Moses and his mighty host encamped by the Red Sea. Pharaoh and his army drew near. The people were afraid, but Moses commanded them to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, assuring them that they would see the Egyptians no more, for the Lord would fight for them, and they should hold their peace (Ex., 14:1-18). The angel of the Lord took his position between the two camps, appearing as darkness to the Egyptians and light to the children of God. The Lord opened the sea, and the children of Israel went forward on dry ground, but the Egyptians following were drowned (Ex., 14:19-31).

      (20). Apostolic indorsement. This mighty historical event was endorsed by the apostle Paul (I. Cor., 10:1-12).

      (21). Important facts. (a) The Lord saved the children of Israel by opening up the way for them; (b) and they saved themselves by using the means placed within their reach; God opened the way, and they passed through!

[CBC 23-27]