Exodus 12:37-39 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.… — The nominal followers of the Christian Church; the motives by which they are actuated, and the perplexities by which they are tested: — I. THE MOTIVES BY WHICH THE NOMINAL ADHERENTS OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH ARE ANIMATED. 1. They are acquainted and impressed with the history of the Church, and hence are induced to follow it. 2. They have an inner conviction that the Church is right, and hence they are sometimes led to follow it. 3. They are associated by family ties with those who are real members of the Christian Church, and hence they are induced to follow it. 4. They are troubled by ideas of the retributive providence of God, and so are induced to seek shelter in the Church. 5. They have an idea that it is socially correct to be allied to the Church, and therefore are induced to follow it. 6. They always follow the multitude. II. THE PERPLEXITIES BY WHICH THE NOMINAL ADHERENTS OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH ARE TESTED. We read elsewhere that "the mixed multitude that was among the Israelites fell a lusting" (Numbers 11:4). Their unhallowed desires were not gratified. Their deliverance had not been so glorious as they had imagined. Trial was before them, and they rebelled against the first privations of the wilderness. And so it is, nominal members of the Christian Church are soon tested, and they often yield to the trying conditions of the pilgrim Church life. 1. The nominal members of the Church are tested by the outward circumstances of the Church. 2. They are tested by the pilgrim difficulties of the Church. 3. They are tested by the pilgrim requirements of the Church. (J. S. Exell, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. |
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