p. 150 | CLARENCE SANTEE by Clarence Santee

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Feb 13, 1913

CLARENCE SANTEE

By Clarence Santee

From Egypt to Canaan—No. 4

CLARENCE SANTEE

When moving from place to place, Moses was as helpless to direct the journeys of the children of Israel as they were. He could only follow the pillar of cloud which God gave to direct them. “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night.” Ex. 13:21. Yet while Moses had no choice of ways, the people had continual question and objection to God’s guidance, attributing every turn to Moses. “And they said unto Moses, 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?” Ex. 14:11, 12.

How must Moses have felt as he thought of the injustice of the charge! Had he not protested when sent to bring them out of Egypt, until he had incurred the displeasure of God? Ex. 4:13, 14. Had Moses led them into the defile of the mountains with the Red Sea in front? Did not the Lord command him to lead them into that place of no escape? Ex. 14:2.

In that place the Lord taught a lesson of faith and victory that has echoed through the centuries, and to-day its luster has not become dim. Through the sea of difficulty lies God’s way to the land of promise. “I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” Isa. 48:10.

When the pillar of cloud led Israel to a place where the Red Sea was before them, the mountains on either side, and Pharaoh’s army behind, their courage failed. They saw nothing but a return to cruel bondage and death. Moses saw a lesson of faith and an opportunity for God to be honored. He said, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.” Ex. 14:13. Josephus records the extreme to which their unbelief led them, in these words: “Their incredulity prompted them to throw stones at the prophet while he encouraged them and promised them deliverance.”—“Antiquities,” book 2, chap. 15, sec. 4. He also records the prayer of

Moses. Sublime faith and courage fill the utterances and call our minds to the instruction he had received from Job. He said: “We are in a helpless place, but still it is a place that thou possessest; still the sea is thine, the mountains also that enclose us are thine; so that these mountains will open themselves if thou commandest them, and the sea also, if thou commandest it, will become dry land. Nay, we might escape by a flight through the air, if thou shouldst determine we should have that way of salvation.”—Id., chap. 16, sec. 1.

A way was prepared through the sea. “High walls of water stood on either side, congealed by the power of God.”—“Facts of Faith,” page 248. “And the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.” Ex. 14:22, last part. “The floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.” Ex. 15:8. “He made the waters to stand as an heap.” Ps. 78:13.

While going by day, Israel could see the distant peaks, and the points of the compass were plain. But when going by night, the darkness shut them in on every side. Even the way the path was tending was hidden. The light, however, that was in the pillar of fire was sufficient ever to show them the place to set their feet, and faith knew that it led toward Canaan.

Have you learned this lesson of faith? Have you, too, pressed on with courage in the darkness, seeing only the place to set your feet to-day, knowing not what the morrow may bring, yet following the guiding light, knowing that it leads toward Canaan? Or have you, through discouragement, allowed doubts to come in until the darkness has shut you in?

Remember how the enemy followed in the track of Israel, and killed those who fell behind through weariness. Deut. 25:17, 18. Even so Satan watches those who are fainting in the way, and as they fall behind and the darkness shuts them in, he secures them in his snare.

Dear fellow traveler, the way may be rough, but it leads toward Canaan; and when there, our rest will be long and sweet. Take courage. The darkness may for a time hide the way-marks, but we are almost there. The last night is wearing away. The morning light will find us home.

When the pillar of cloud led Israel from the Red Sea into the wilderness of Shur, Moses was distressed. He well knew the barrenness of the country and the bitterness of the waters of Marah. He had led his flocks to the back side of the desert, and had tested every watering-place. His test of faith was severe. An inspired writer has said:—“Moses, who was familiar with this region, knew what the others did not, that at Marah, the nearest station where springs were to be found, the water was unfit for use. With intense anxiety he watched the guiding cloud. With a sinking heart he heard the glad shout, ‘Water! Water!’ echoed along the line. Men, women, and children in joyous haste crowded to the fountain, when, lo, a cry of anguish burst forth from the host,—the water was bitter. In their horror and despair they reproached Moses for having led them in such a way, not remembering that the divine presence in that mysterious cloud had been leading him as well as them.”—“Patriarchs and Prophets,” page 291.

Strange lack of faith you will say, after their experience in Egypt, seeing the plagues, even the death of the Egyptian first-born, their deliverance, the path through the Red Sea, the destruction of Pharaoh and his host,—a wonderful chapter, indeed, of providence that should have established their faith. But, my brother, my sister, do you believe that those things were true? Do you know that they were? Are you as certain that this record is true as if you had seen it with your own eyes? If so, then you have not only all the evidences they had, which you believe as much as they did, but you have a multitude of evidences added since their time, which they never knew. Then if your faith shall become weak or falter, will it not be doubly strange and without excuse? If you should allow yourself to murmur or complain at the hardness of the way, would not these same murmuring Israelites rise up in the judgment and condemn you? What you are doing to-day is the best evidence of what you would have done had you lived in some other age.

In their extremity God again wrought for Israel, and the water was made sweet. Ex. 15:22-25. Another test quickly followed. The bread they brought out of Egypt was almost gone, and they feared death by hunger. God would set a “table for them in the wilderness” (Ps. 78:19) when they had divided the last portion with those who lacked. In their unbelief they again bitterly accused Moses of bringing them all their trials. Ex. 16:2-4.

The cry of doubt and unbelief is still going up before God: “What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?” Matt. 6:31. God’s answer still comes back, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Verse 33. See Ex. 16:4, last part.