The Review and Herald
October 8, 1903
“Go Forward”
There is a lesson of the greatest importance for us in the experience of the children of Israel as they left Egypt. RH October 8, 1903, par. 1
More than a million people had been led, out of the right course many of them thought, into a valley hemmed in by mountains. Before them lay the Red Sea, and behind them, following fast after in pursuit, was Pharaoh's army. RH October 8, 1903, par. 2
As the people were encamped beside the Red Sea, they saw in the distance the flashing armor and moving chariots of Pharaoh's host. Terror filled their hearts. Some cried to the Lord, but by far the greater part hastened to Moses with their complaints. “Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? 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.” RH October 8, 1903, par. 3
Moses was greatly troubled that his people should manifest so little faith in God, notwithstanding they had repeatedly witnessed the manifestation of his power in their behalf. How could they charge upon him the dangers and difficulties of their situation, when he had followed the express command of God? True, there was no possibility of deliverance unless God himself should interpose for their release; but having been brought into this position in obedience to the divine direction, Moses felt no fear of the consequences. His calm and assuring reply to the people was, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” RH October 8, 1903, par. 4
It was not an easy thing to hold the hosts of Israel in waiting before the Lord. Lacking discipline and self-control, they became violent and unreasonable. They expected speedily to fall into the hands of their oppressors, and their wailings and lamentations were loud and deep. The wonderful pillar of cloud had been followed as the signal of God to go forward; but now they questioned if it might not foreshadow some great calamity; for had it not led them on the wrong side of the mountain, into an impassable way? Thus the angel of the Lord appeared to their deluded minds as the harbinger of disaster. RH October 8, 1903, par. 5
But now, as the Egyptian host approached them, expecting to make them an easy prey, the cloudy column rose majestically, passed over the Israelites, and descended between them and the armies of Pharaoh. A wall of darkness interposed between the pursued and their pursuers. The Egyptians could no longer discern the camp of the Hebrews, and were forced to halt. But as the darkness of night deepened, the wall of cloud became a great light to the Hebrews, flooding the entire encampment with the radiance of day. RH October 8, 1903, par. 6
Hope returned to the hearts of Israel. And Moses lifted up his voice unto the Lord. “And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward. 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 waters.” RH October 8, 1903, par. 7
Obedience to the Command
As Moses stretched out his rod, the waters parted, and Israel went down into the midst of the sea upon dry ground, while the waters stood like a wall on each side. “Go forward” was the word given by Moses, and it was echoed by the captains of the different divisions. In obedience, the host of Israel stepped into the path so strangely and so wonderfully prepared for them. The light from the pillar of fire shone upon the foam-capped billows, and lighted up the road that was cut like a mighty furrow through the waters of the sea. RH October 8, 1903, par. 8
As the cloud moved slowly on, the Egyptian sentinels discovered that the Israelites had moved their encampment, and at once the mighty army was set in readiness for motion. They heard the sound of the marching of the Hebrews, but they could see nothing; for the cloud that gave light to Israel was to the Egyptians a wall of darkness. Guided by the sound, they followed on, but they moved slowly; for their chariots drove heavily. Yet still they moved on, expecting soon to break through the cloud, and overtake the fugitives. RH October 8, 1903, par. 9
At last the shadows of night passed away, the morning dawned, and the pursuing army was almost within reach of the fleeing Hebrews. RH October 8, 1903, par. 10
A Manifestation of God's Power
“And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the Lord looked upon the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians.” Before their astonished eyes the mysterious cloud changed to a pillar of fire reaching from earth to heaven. The thunders pealed, and the lightnings flashed. “The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad. The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.” RH October 8, 1903, par. 11
The Egyptians were seized with confusion and dismay. Amid the wrath of the elements, in which they heard the voice of an angry God, they endeavored to retrace their steps, and to flee to the shore they had quitted. But Moses stretched out his rod, and the piled-up waters, hissing, roaring, eager for their prey, rushed together, and swallowed the Egyptians in their black depths. RH October 8, 1903, par. 12
As morning broke, it revealed to the multitudes of Israel all that remained of their mighty foes,—the mail-clad bodies cast upon the shore. From the most terrible peril one night had brought complete deliverance. That vast, helpless throng—bondmen unused to battle, women, children, and cattle, with the sea before them, and the mighty armies of Egypt pressing behind—had seen their path opened through the waters, and their enemies overwhelmed in the moment of expected triumph. Jehovah alone had brought them deliverance, and to him their hearts were turned in gratitude and faith. Their emotion found utterance in songs of praise. The Spirit of God rested upon Moses, and he led the people in a triumphant anthem of thanksgiving: RH October 8, 1903, par. 13
“I will sing unto Jehovah; for he hath triumphed gloriously;
The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
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....
Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like thee, glorious in holiness,
Fearful in praises, doing wonders? ..
Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed;
Thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.”
RH October 8, 1903, par. 14
God in his providence brought the Hebrews into the mountain fastnesses before the sea, that he might manifest his power in their deliverance, and signally humble the pride of their oppressors. He might have saved them in any other way, but he chose this method in order to test their faith and strengthen their trust in him. The people were weary and terrified, yet if they had held back when Moses bade them advance, God would never have opened the path for them. It was “by faith” that “they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land.” In marching down to the very water, they showed that they believed the word of God as spoken by Moses. They did all that was in their power to do, and then the Mighty One of Israel divided the sea to make a path for their feet. RH October 8, 1903, par. 15
God's Word to Us
“Go forward” is the word of the Lord to us. You may not see the end from the beginning; nevertheless, pray, believe, and move forward, not in self-sufficiency and self-exaltation, yet filled with hope and courage, assured that the Lord is your helper and protector. Angels of heaven are guarding his faithful ones. If his people will keep the way of the Lord, they will receive all needed help. Let God be praised and magnified. Let men walk in humility before him. RH October 8, 1903, par. 16
Until the end of time; the church will have to strive with difficulties, that God's work may stand out pure and clean, untainted by fraud or intrigue. Let his people believe in him, and walk in his counsel. They may be permitted to struggle with difficulty, but in answer to humble prayer, the Lord will reveal himself as a God who can deliver in every emergency. The great work to be carried forward in these last days seems to move slowly, but the Lord is preparing the way before those who are seeking wisdom from above, those who are willing to walk in his way. RH October 8, 1903, par. 17
An Unchangeable Promise
God's promise to his church will stand fast forever. He will make her an eternal excellence, a joy of many generations. There is no limit to his power. Our covenant-keeping Saviour unites with the omnipotence of the King of kings the tender care of a faithful shepherd. He who has chosen Christ has joined himself to a power that no array of human wisdom or strength can overthrow. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee,” he declares; “be not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” RH October 8, 1903, par. 18