Exodus 14:1-4 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,… I. THAT THE GOOD ARE OFTEN BROUGHT, BY THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD, INTO THE MOST TRYING SITUATIONS IN LIFE (ver. 1). It is in the trying situations of life that we get the best revelations of the love and power of God. When men feel that they cannot help themselves, then God helps them. Thus they are humbled. They are brought to despair of creature aids. Then the promises become precious. The circumstances of life are all divinely ordered with immediate reference to the moral culture of the good; the Israelites were taught a great lesson before Pi-hahiroth. When God fixes our position, it is sure to be a salutary one, even though it be perplexing. II. THAT THE TRYING CIRCUMSTANCES INTO WHICH THE GOOD ARE PROVIDENTIALLY BROUGHT ARE VIGILANTLY OBSERVED BY THE WICKED (ver. 3). Satan watches the best opportunity of frustrating the march of the soul into freedom. But the wicked often misinterpret the providence of God in reference to the good, and hence pursue their plans to their own ruin. III. THAT THE TRYING SITUATIONS INTO WHICH THE GOOD ARE BROUGHT ARE DESIGNED ULTIMATELY TO ENHANCE THE GLORY OF GOD AND THE RETRIBUTION OF WICKED MEN. "I will be honoured upon Pharaoh," "That the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord." Lessons: 1. Rest patiently in the circumstances in which God has placed you. 2. God is greater than all the hindrances to your true freedom. 3. Follow God, even though it be through the great waters. (J. S. Exell, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, |
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