Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc09/v09850

Text File | 1994-03-01 | 6KB | 96 lines

09857
 #10-14 There was no way open to Israel but upward, and thence
 their deliverance came. We may be in the way of duty, following
 God, and hastening toward heaven, yet may be troubled on every
 side. Some cried out unto the Lord; their fear led them to pray,
 and that was well. God brings us into straits, that he may bring
 us to our knees. Others cried out against Moses; fear set them
 murmuring as if God were not still able to work miracles. They
 quarrel with Moses for bringing them out of Egypt; and so were
 angry with God for the greatest kindness ever done them; thus
 gross are the absurdities of unbelief. Moses says, Fear ye not.
 It is always our duty and interest, when we cannot get out of
 troubles, yet to get above our fears; let them quicken our
 prayers and endeavours, but not silence our faith and hope.
 "Stand still," think not to save yourselves either by fighting
 or flying; wait God's orders, and observe them. Compose
 yourselves, by confidence in God, into peaceful thoughts of the
 great salvation God is about to work for you. If God brings his
 people into straits, he will find a way to bring them out.

09862
 #15-20 Moses' silent prayers of faith prevailed more with God
 than Israel's loud outcries of fear. The pillar of cloud and
 fire came behind them, where they needed a guard, and it was a
 wall between them and their enemies. The word and providence of
 God have a black and dark side toward sin and sinners, but a
 bright and pleasant side toward the people of the Lord. He, who
 divided between light and darkness, #Ge 1:4|, allotted darkness
 to the Egyptians, and light to the Israelites. Such a difference
 there will be between the inheritance of the saints in light,
 and that utter darkness which will be the portion of hypocrites
 for ever.

09868
 #21-31 The dividing the Red sea was the terror of the
 Canaanites, #Jos 2:9|; the praise and triumph of the Israelites,
 #Ps 114:3; 106:9; 136:13|. It was a type of baptism, #1Co
 10:1,2|. Israel's passage through it was typical of the
 conversion of souls, #Isa 11:15|; and the Egyptians being
 drowned in it was typical of the final ruin of all unrepenting
 sinners. God showed his almighty power, by opening a passage
 through the waters, some miles over. God can bring his people
 through the greatest difficulties, and force a way where he does
 not find it. It was an instance of his wonderful favour to his
 Israel. They went through the sea, they walked upon dry land in
 the midst of the sea. This was done, in order to encourage God's
 people in all ages to trust him in the greatest straits. What
 cannot he do who did this? What will not he do for those that
 fear and love him, who did this for these murmuring, unbelieving
 Israelites? Then followed the just and righteous wrath of God
 upon his and his people's enemies. The ruin of sinners is
 brought on by their own rage and presumption. They might have
 let Israel alone, and would not; now they would flee from the
 face of Israel, and cannot. Men will not be convinced, till it
 is too late, that those who meddle with God's people, meddle to
 their own hurt. Moses was ordered to stretch out his hand over
 the sea; the waters returned, and overwhelmed all the host of
 the Egyptians. Pharaoh and his servants, who had hardened one
 another in sin, now fell together, not one escaped. The
 Israelites saw the Egyptians dead upon the sands. The sight very
 much affected them. While men see God's works, and feel the
 benefit, they fear him and trust in him. How well were it for
 us, if we were always in as good a frame as sometimes! Behold
 the end to which a Christian may look forward. His enemies rage,
 and are mighty; but while he holds fast by God, he shall pass
 the waves in safety guarded by that very power of his Saviour,
 which shall come down on every spiritual foe. The enemies of his
 soul whom he hath seen to-day, he shall see no more for ever.
09879
 * The song of Moses for the deliverance of Israel. (1-21) The
 bitter waters at Marah, The Israelites come to Elim. (22-27)

 #1-21 This song is the most ancient we know of. It is a holy
 song, to the honour of God, to exalt his name, and celebrate his
 praise, and his only, not in the least to magnify any man.
 Holiness to the Lord is in every part of it. It may be
 considered as typical, and prophetical of the final destruction
 of the enemies of the church. Happy the people whose God is the
 Lord. They have work to do, temptations to grapple with, and
 afflictions to bear, and are weak in themselves; but his grace
 is their strength. They are often in sorrow, but in him they
 have comfort; he is their song. Sin, and death, and hell
 threaten them, but he is, and will be their salvation. The Lord
 is a God of almighty power, and woe to those that strive with
 their Maker! He is a God of matchless perfection; he is glorious
 in holiness; his holiness is his glory. His holiness appears in
 the hatred of sin, and his wrath against obstinate sinners. It
 appears in the deliverance of Israel, and his faithfulness to
 his own promise. He is fearful in praises; that which is matter
 of praise to the servants of God, is very dreadful to his
 enemies. He is doing wonders, things out of the common course of
 nature; wondrous to those in whose favour they are wrought, who
 are so unworthy, that they had no reason to expect them. There
 were wonders of power and wonders of grace; in both, God was to
 be humbly adored.