安息日下午 8月2日
记忆经文: “摩西对百姓说：
‘不要惧怕，只管站住，看耶和华今天向你们所要施行的拯救。因为你们今天所看见的埃及人，必永远不再看见了。耶和华必为你们争战，你们只管静默，不要作声。’” 和合本——出埃及记14:13-14
“And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” KJV — Exodus 14:13, 14
“耶和华对摩西说：‘你为何向我哀求呢？你吩咐以色列人往前走。你举手向海伸杖，把水分开。以色列人要下海走干地。’”《先祖与先知》287.1
诗人描述以色列人过海时唱道：“你的道在海中，你的路在大水中，你的脚踪无人知道。你曾借摩西、亚伦的手，领你的百姓如羊群一般。”（诗篇77:19-20）摩西伸手，海水就分开。以色列人走干地，水在两边像墙一样竖立。上帝火柱的光照在翻腾的海浪上，照亮那条被切开的大路，直通到远方的黑暗里。《先祖与先知》287.2
“耶和华的膀臂啊，兴起，兴起！以能力为衣，兴起！像古时的日子、上古的世代一样。不是你砍碎拉哈伯，刺透大鱼吗？不是你使海、使大渊的水干涸吗？使蒙赎之民经过深海的深处吗？” 和合本——以赛亚书51:9-10
如果说上帝要叫自己醒过来，好像祂或祂的膀臂睡着了，这是多么不合逻辑啊！这节经文说明，上帝称“出埃及运动”为祂的膀臂。完全正确，因为上帝是借祂的仆人完成工作。祂的仆人就是祂的膀臂，他们要治理百姓，百姓也要信靠他们。——《一卷见证》37:14.5
“‘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 sea.’ PP 287.1
“The psalmist, describing the passage of the sea by Israel, sang, “Thy way was in the sea, and Thy paths in the great waters, and Thy footsteps were not known. Thou leddest Thy people like a flock, by the hand of Moses and Aaron.” Psalm 77:19, 20, R.V. As Moses stretched out his rod the waters parted, and Israel went into the midst of the sea, upon dry ground, while the waters stood like a wall upon each side. The light from God's pillar of fire shone upon the foam-capped billows, and lighted the road that was cut like a mighty furrow through the waters of the sea, and was lost in the obscurity of the farther shore.” PP 287.2
“Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon? Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over? KJV — Isaiah 51:9, 10
How illogical it would be for God to be trying to awake Himself, as though He, or His own arm, is asleep! This verse shows that He calls the Exodus Movement His arm. Rightly so, because God does His work with His servants. His servants, therefore, are His arm, and they shall judge (rule) the people, and the people shall trust on them.
主日，8月3日
去敬拜主
阅读出埃及记12:31-36。法老在允许以色列人离开时，提出了什么奇怪的请求？为什么？
Read Exodus 12:31-36. What strange request does Pharaoh make and why, even as he gives permission for them all to leave?
“如今，他那敢于挑战上天的骄傲已被压倒，他‘夜间召了摩西、亚伦来，说：起来，连你们和以色列人都从我民中出去，照你们所说的，去侍奉耶和华吧。也照你们所说的，带着你们的羊群牛群走吧。并要为我祝福。’王的臣仆和百姓也催促以色列人快快离开这地，因为他们说：‘我们都要死了。’” 《先祖与先知》279.4
“以色列人从埃及奴役中被拯救，以及他们进入应许之地的奇妙安排，使许多外邦人承认以色列的神是至高的主宰。‘我要伸手攻击埃及，把以色列人从他们中间领出来，那时埃及人就知道我是耶和华。’（出7:5）即使骄傲的法老也被迫承认耶和华的大能。‘你们去侍奉耶和华吧，并要为我祝福。’（出12:31-32）” 《先知与君王》369.1
“以色列人前行时，发现上帝大能作为的消息已传开，连一些外邦人也认识到唯有祂是真神。在邪恶的耶利哥，有一个外邦女子作见证说：‘耶和华你们的神，本是上天下地的神。’（书2:11）这种认识使她得救。因着信心，‘妓女喇合和那些不顺从的人一同灭亡’的事没有发生在她身上。（来11:31）她的归主并不是上帝怜悯外邦人的唯一例子。在那地中还有一大群人——基遍人，他们也放弃了偶像崇拜，加入以色列，与他们一同分享盟约的祝福。” 《先知与君王》369.2
“Now, his heaven-daring pride humbled in the dust, he “called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as ye have said. Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said.... And be gone; and bless me also.” The royal counselors also and the people entreated the Israelites to depart “out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.” PP 279.4
“The marvelous providences connected with Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage and with their occupancy of the Promised Land led many of the heathen to recognize the God of Israel as the Supreme Ruler. “The Egyptians shall know,” had been the promise, “that I am the Lord, when I stretch forth Mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.” Exodus 7:5. Even proud Pharaoh was constrained to acknowledge Jehovah's power. “Go, serve the Lord,” he urged Moses and Aaron, “and bless me also.” Exodus 12:31, 32. PK 369.1
“The advancing hosts of Israel found that knowledge of the mighty workings of the God of the Hebrews had gone before them, and that some among the heathen were learning that He alone was the true God. In wicked Jericho the testimony of a heathen woman was, “The Lord your God, He is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.” Joshua 2:11. The knowledge of Jehovah that had thus come to her, proved her salvation. By faith “Rahab perished not with them that believed not.” Hebrews 11:31. And her conversion was not an isolated case of God's mercy toward idolaters who acknowledged His divine authority. In the midst of the land a numerous people—the Gibeonites—renounced their heathenism and united with Israel, sharing in the blessings of the covenant.” PK 369.2
期一，8月4日
投身为圣的头生子
阅读出埃及记13:1–16。以色列的头生子在最后一灾中因着上帝的恩典得以存活。为什么要有这样永远的命令？对我们今天意味着什么？
Read Exodus 13:1–16. The Israelite firstborns were spared by God’s grace during the final plague. Why this perpetual command, and what should it mean to us today?
“此外，无论人或牲畜，所有头生的都要归耶和华，只有通过赎价才能赎回。这是为了表明：当埃及的头生子都死亡时，以色列人的头生子虽然蒙上帝保全，但本来也应当与他们同受那灾，只是因赎罪的牺牲才得以存活。‘一切头生的是我的，’耶和华说，‘因为我击杀埃及地一切头生的那天，把以色列中一切头生的，无论是人是牲畜，都分别为圣归我。他们要归我。’（民3:13）在会幕制度设立之后，耶和华拣选利未支派代替以色列所有的头生子，来承担圣所的工作。祂说：‘他们从以色列人中全然归我。代替以色列人所有头生的，我拣选他们归我。’（民8:16）不过，所有百姓仍需为长子付赎价，以承认上帝的怜悯（民18:15-16）。” 《先祖与先知》274.4
摩西在全地宣告：凡门框上没有血的房屋，当夜头生的必死。
那些不听从神命令的人，第二天便忙着哀哭埋葬他们的死者；而那些顺从的人却欢喜有序地离开城邑。是的，只有顺从命令的人才得以脱离奴役。因此，若我们要得上帝印记在额上，就必须学会顺从命令。
当上帝要击杀埃及的头生子时，祂吩咐以色列人把他们的孩子从埃及人中带回自己家里，并把血涂在门框上，好让灭命的天使看见血就越过他们的家。父母的责任就是把孩子聚在一起。这也是你我的工作，也是每一个信真理母亲的工作。天使要在一切与罪和罪人分离之人的额上做记号，随后灭命的天使要跟着来，彻底杀灭老少。——《证言》卷五，505.2
“Furthermore, the first-born of both man and beast were to be the Lord's, to be bought back only by a ransom, in acknowledgment that when the first-born in Egypt perished, that of Israel, though graciously preserved, had been justly exposed to the same doom but for the atoning sacrifice. “All the first-born are Mine,” the Lord declared; “for on the day that I smote all the first-born in the land of Egypt, I hallowed unto Me all the first-born in Israel, both man and beast: Mine they shall be,” Numbers 3:13. After the institution of the tabernacle service the Lord chose unto Himself the tribe of Levi for the work of the sanctuary, instead of the first-born of the people. “They are wholly given unto Me from among the children of Israel,” He said. “Instead of the first-born of all the children of Israel, have I taken them unto Me.” Numbers 8:16. All the people were, however, still required, in acknowledgment of God's mercy, to pay a redemption price for the first-born son. Numbers 18:15, 16.” PP 274.4
Moses had proclaimed throughout the land that in every dwelling where no blood was found on the doorpost, that very night the firstborn in each such dwelling would die.
Those who disobeyed the Divine injunction, were, on the day following busily moaning and burying their dead, while those who obeyed the command were joyously and orderly marching out of the cities. Yes, only those who were able to take orders were made free from slavery. It is, therefore, prerequisite that we learn to take orders if we are to receive the seal of God in our foreheads.
When God was about to smite the first-born of Egypt, He commanded the Israelites to gather their children from among the Egyptians into their own dwellings and strike their door posts with blood, that the destroying angel might see it and pass over their homes. It was the work of parents to gather in their children. This is your work, this is my work, and the work of every mother who believes the truth. The angel is to place a mark upon the forehead of all who are separated from sin and sinners, and the destroying angel will follow, to slay utterly both old and young. 5T 505.2
星期二，8月5日
过红海
阅读出埃及记13:17–14:12。当以色列人离开埃及时，上帝怎样引导他们？接下来又发生了什么？
Read Exodus 13:17–14:12. How did God guide the Israelites when they left Egypt, and what happened next?
“以色列人腰束带，脚穿鞋，手拿杖，肃立在那儿，安静而敬畏，但心中充满期待，等候着要让他们离开的王命。天还未亮，他们已经动身了。在灾祸期间，上帝权能的显现，使奴隶们心里生出信心，也使压迫者惊惧。以色列人逐渐聚集在歌珊；虽然他们出发很突然，但队伍的必要组织和管理早已做了安排，他们被分成若干队伍，并设立了首领。” 《先祖与先知》281.1
“百姓也带着‘羊群牛群，极多的牲畜’一同出发。这些都是以色列人自己的产业，他们从未像埃及人那样把产业卖给王。雅各和他的儿子们当初带着羊群牛群下到埃及，在那里大大增多。出埃及前，摩西指示百姓要求补偿他们多年没有得到的工价，埃及人巴不得他们快走，因此毫不推辞。于是，奴隶们带着压迫者的财物出发了。” 《先祖与先知》281.3
“他们走过荒凉像旷野的地带，很快就开始疑惑前面的路要通向何方。旅途的辛苦让他们疲惫不堪，心中开始产生对埃及人追赶的恐惧。但云柱一直向前，他们便跟随。此时，耶和华吩咐摩西转入一条岩石峡谷，在海边安营。祂也指示摩西，法老会追赶他们，但祂必因他们的拯救而得荣耀。” 《先祖与先知》283.2
“希伯来人就在海边安营，眼前的海水似乎成为无法跨越的障碍，南面崎岖的山岭又挡住他们的去路。突然，他们远远看见闪耀的盔甲和飞驰的战车，那是大军的先锋。军队逐渐逼近，他们清楚地看见埃及的全军正在追赶。以色列人心中充满恐惧。有些人向耶和华呼求，但更多的人急忙去埋怨摩西：‘难道埃及没有坟地，你竟把我们领来死在旷野吗？你为何这样待我们，把我们从埃及领出来呢？我们在埃及岂不是对你说过：不要管我们，让我们服事埃及人吗？因为服事埃及人比死在旷野还要好。’” 《先祖与先知》283.5
“With their loins girt, with sandaled feet, and staff in hand, the people of Israel had stood, hushed, awed, yet expectant, awaiting the royal mandate that should bid them go forth. Before the morning broke, they were on their way. During the plagues, as the manifestation of God's power had kindled faith in the hearts of the bondmen and had struck terror to their oppressors, the Israelites had gradually assembled themselves in Goshen; and notwithstanding the suddenness of their flight, some provision had already been made for the necessary organization and control of the moving multitudes, they being divided into companies, under appointed leaders.” PP 281.1
“The people took also with them “flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.” These were the property of the Israelites, who had never sold their possessions to the king, as had the Egyptians. Jacob and his sons had brought their flocks and herds with them to Egypt, where they had greatly increased. Before leaving Egypt, the people, by the direction of Moses, claimed a recompense for their unpaid labor; and the Egyptians were too eager to be freed from their presence to refuse them. The bondmen went forth laden with the spoil of their oppressors.” PP 281.3
“Across a dreary, desertlike expanse they journeyed. Already they began to wonder whither their course would lead; they were becoming weary with the toilsome way, and in some hearts began to arise a fear of pursuit by the Egyptians. But the cloud went forward, and they followed. And now the Lord directed Moses to turn aside into a rocky defile, and encamp beside the sea. It was revealed to him that Pharaoh would pursue them, but that God would be honored in their deliverance.” PP 283.2
“The Hebrews were encamped beside the sea, whose waters presented a seemingly impassable barrier before them, while on the south a rugged mountain obstructed their further progress. Suddenly they beheld in the distance the flashing armor and moving chariots betokening the advance guard of a great army. As the force drew nearer, the hosts of Egypt were seen in full pursuit. Terror filled the hearts of Israel. Some cried unto the Lord, but 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.’” PP 283.5
星期三，8月6日
凭信心前进
阅读出埃及记14:13–31。尽管以色列人缺乏信心，上帝仍然为他们做了什么？
Read Exodus 14:13–31. Despite their lack of faith, what did God do for the children of Israel?
“摩西非常忧伤，因为百姓在上帝面前竟表现出这么少的信心，尽管他们一次次亲眼见证了祂的大能。怎么能把他们所处的危险和困境归咎于他呢？他明明是遵照上帝的明确命令行事。的确，若非上帝亲自介入，他们毫无可能得救；但摩西因着顺从神圣指引来到这地步，所以毫不惧怕后果。他平静而坚定地回答百姓说：‘不要惧怕，只管站住，看耶和华今天向你们所要施行的拯救。因为你们今天所看见的埃及人，必永远不再看见了。耶和华必为你们争战，你们只管静默，不要作声。’” 《先祖与先知》284.1
“这时，埃及大军正逼近，自以为他们将要轻易掳获以色列人。忽然，云柱威严地升到天上，越过以色列营，落在他们与埃及军队之间。黑暗的墙隔开了追赶者和被追赶者。埃及人再也看不见希伯来人的营地，只得停下。但当夜幕加深时，这片云却变成大光，照亮了整个以色列营地，如同白昼。” 《先祖与先知》284.3
“希望重新回到以色列人的心中。摩西向耶和华呼求。‘耶和华对摩西说：你为何向我哀求呢？你吩咐以色列人往前走。你举手向海伸杖，把水分开。以色列人要下海走干地。’” 《先祖与先知》287.1
“‘埃及人追赶他们，法老一切的马匹、车辆和马兵都下到海中。到了晨更的时候，耶和华从火柱云柱里向埃及的军兵观看，使他们大乱。’那神秘的云在他们惊恐的眼前变成了火柱。雷声轰鸣，电光闪烁。‘云中倾盆而下；天空发出响声；你的箭也飞射四方。你的雷声在旋风中；电光照亮世界；大地震动摇撼。’（诗77:17-18）” 《先祖与先知》287.3
“埃及人陷入混乱和恐惧之中。在他们听见愤怒上帝的声音时，便急忙想要往回逃，奔向他们来的那一边。可是摩西伸手，积蓄起来的海水轰鸣翻腾，急切扑向他们，将埃及大军吞没在漆黑的深处。” 《先祖与先知》287.4
“While this decree was in full force a son was born to Amram and Jochebed, devout Israelites of the tribe of Levi. The babe was “a goodly child;” and the parents, believing that the time of Israel's release was drawing near, and that God would raise up a deliverer for His people, determined that their little one should not be sacrificed. Faith in God strengthened their hearts, “and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.” Hebrews 11:23. PP 242.2
“The mother succeeded in concealing the child for three months. Then, finding that she could no longer keep him safely, she prepared a little ark of rushes, making it watertight by means of slime and pitch; and laying the babe therein, she placed it among the flags at the river's brink. She dared not remain to guard it, lest the child's life and her own should be forfeited; but his sister, Miriam, lingered near, apparently indifferent, but anxiously watching to see what would become of her little brother. And there were other watchers. The mother's earnest prayers had committed her child to the care of God; and angels, unseen, hovered above his lowly resting place. Angels directed Pharaoh's daughter thither. Her curiosity was excited by the little basket, and as she looked upon the beautiful child within, she read the story at a glance. The tears of the babe awakened her compassion, and her sympathies went out to the unknown mother who had resorted to this means to preserve the life of her precious little one. She determined that he should be saved; she would adopt him as her own. PP 243.1
“Miriam had been secretly noting every movement; perceiving that the child was tenderly regarded, she ventured nearer, and at last said, “Shall I go and call thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?” And permission was given. PP 243.2
“The sister hastened to her mother with the happy news, and without delay returned with her to the presence of Pharaoh's daughter. “Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages,” said the princess. PP 243.3
“God had heard the mother's prayers; her faith had been rewarded. It was with deep gratitude that she entered upon her now safe and happy task. She faithfully improved her opportunity to educate her child for God. She felt confident that he had been preserved for some great work, and she knew that he must soon be given up to his royal mother, to be surrounded with influences that would tend to lead him away from God. All this rendered her more diligent and careful in his instruction than in that of her other children. She endeavored to imbue his mind with the fear of God and the love of truth and justice, and earnestly prayed that he might be preserved from every corrupting influence. She showed him the folly and sin of idolatry, and early taught him to bow down and pray to the living God, who alone could hear him and help him in every emergency.” PP 243.4
星期四，8月7日
摩西与米利暗之歌
阅读出埃及记15:1-21。摩西的这首歌是在什么背景下写的？
Read Exodus 15:1-21. What is the context of Moses’ song?
“耶和华奇妙地为祂的百姓施行拯救，祂在红海中开出一条逃生之路。海水像坚固的墙竖立起来，为跟随摩西的以色列人开出一条得救的道路。”《基督受难之路》106.4
“在追赶以色列人的过程中，浩大的埃及军队也冒险走进同一条海路。他们前面虽有黑暗的云，但仍执意前行。当整个军队——‘法老一切的马匹、车辆和马兵’——都进入海中时，耶和华对摩西说：‘你向海伸手。’以色列人已经走过干地，但仍能听到后面军队的喊声。摩西一伸杖，像墙一样竖立的海水便回到原位。浩大的埃及军队，没有一人逃脱。他们固执地要走自己的路，拒绝上帝的道路，结果全都灭亡。那一刻，就是他们恩典的结束。”《基督受难之路》106.5
“天一亮，以色列民看见他们强敌的尸体被抛在海岸上。一夜之间，他们就从极大的危险中得到完全的解救。那庞大无助的群体——不习惯打仗的奴隶、妇女、孩子、牲畜——前有大海，后有埃及大军压迫，却亲眼看见一条道路在海中被开出，他们的敌人则在最得意之时被吞灭。唯有耶和华使他们得救，于是他们的心转向祂，满怀感恩与信心。他们的情感借赞美的诗歌表达出来。上帝的灵降在摩西身上，他带领百姓唱出一首凯旋的感恩之歌，这是人类所知最早、也最崇高的圣歌之一。”《先祖与先知》287.5
“从以色列大军中响起那崇高的赞歌，犹如大海的洪声。以色列的妇女们也加入其中，由摩西的姐姐米利暗带领，敲着鼓，跳着舞前行。那欢快的副歌在旷野和海上回荡，群山也回应他们的赞美——‘你们要歌颂耶和华，因为祂大大战胜了仇敌。’”《先祖与先知》288.2
“这首诗歌和它所纪念的伟大拯救，深深铭刻在以色列民的记忆中，永远不会被抹去。历代的先知和诗人都不断回响这首歌，见证耶和华是信靠祂之人的力量与拯救。这首歌并不仅属于犹太人，它也预示了所有义敌的毁灭，以及上帝子民最终的胜利。拔摩岛上的先知看见那身穿白衣、‘得胜’的群众，站在‘搀杂着火的玻璃海’上，拿着上帝的琴，唱着‘上帝仆人摩西之歌和羔羊之歌’。（启15:2-3）”《先祖与先知》289.1
“The Lord wrought wonderfully for the salvation of His people. He made a way of escape in the midst of the Red Sea. The waters were piled up as a strong wall, and a path of deliverance was made for the hosts of Israel following the leadership of Moses. CTr 106.4
“In pursuit of Israel the vast armies of Egypt ventured to traverse the sea by the same path. A dark cloud was before them, and yet they pressed on. When the whole army—“all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen” were in the very bed of the sea, the Lord said unto Moses, “Stretch out thine hand over the sea.” Israel had passed over on dry land, but they heard the shouting of the armies in pursuit. As Moses stretched out his rod over the sea, the embanked waters that had stood as a great wall rolled on in their natural course. Of all the men of Egypt in that vast army, not one escaped. All perished in their determination to have their own way and to refuse God's way. That occasion was the end of their probation.” CTr 106.5
“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, the earliest and one of the most sublime that are known to man.” PP 287.5
“Like the voice of the great deep, rose from the vast hosts of Israel that sublime ascription. It was taken up by the women of Israel, Miriam, the sister of Moses, leading the way, as they went forth with timbrel and dance. Far over desert and sea rang the joyous refrain, and the mountains re-echoed the words of their praise—“Sing ye to Jehovah, for He hath triumphed gloriously.” PP 288.2
“This song and the great deliverance which it commemorates, made an impression never to be effaced from the memory of the Hebrew people. From age to age it was echoed by the prophets and singers of Israel, testifying that Jehovah is the strength and deliverance of those who trust in Him. That song does not belong to the Jewish people alone. It points forward to the destruction of all the foes of righteousness and the final victory of the Israel of God. The prophet of Patmos beholds the white-robed multitude that have “gotten the victory,” standing on the “sea of glass mingled with fire,” having “the harps of God. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb.” Revelation 15:2, 3.” PP 289.1
星期五，8月8日
进一步思考
上帝凭祂的智慧，把以色列人带到红海边，是为他们的益处。虽然他们看不明白上帝的作为，然而祂却为了祂名的缘故，把海分开，让他们安全通过，同时用同一个神迹毁灭了他们的仇敌！
如果摩西像百姓那样怀疑上帝的能力和带领，当他用杖击打海时，会有什么结果呢？——毫无作用。如果无限者的判断和有限者的判断一样，那么法老的军队就会再次杀死或奴役以色列人。
因此，他们的大拯救应当永远坚定我们对上帝的信心，并成为永恒的见证：人的智慧在上帝面前是愚拙的，而信靠祂的人，信心真的可以移山，也能移海。
然而，尽管有这些榜样，人们仍期待上帝按他们自己的想法行事。这就是为什么有时上帝会使用孩童来成就祂的工作，而不是那些自以为聪明和精明的人。
希伯来人很清楚，是他们跟随白日的云柱和夜间的火柱，被带到海边的。然而，这一切神迹似乎没有在他们心中留下持久的印象。今天，我们也同样有危险，会忘记耶和华曾如何带领我们。
正如摩西时代一样，今天许多人仍重复那群百姓的罪：有人今天热心火热，明天却冷淡无比。有人在风平浪静时大声赞美上帝，但当风浪一起，只看见人类掌舵，而不期待上帝平息风浪，反而急着寻找逃跑之地。还有些人总是挑剔、批评那些背负重担的人，以此来抬高自己。所以，今天在我们中间必然也有这样的人——属灵的怀疑者、抱怨者、追求地位的人和挑剔的人。他们今天承认一个伟大的真理，明天又将其忘记，却还期望能得上帝的印记，并与羔羊一同站在锡安山上！
God, in His wisdom, brought Israel to the Red Sea for their own good, and though they could not see it His way, He nevertheless for His Name’s sake divided the sea, took them safely across, and at the same time, by the same miracle, He destroyed their enemies!
Had Moses been as doubtful of God’s power and leadership as were the people that were with him, what effect would his rod have had as he struck the sea with it? – None whatsoever. If the Judgment of the Infinite were the same as the judgment of the finite, then Pharaoh’s army would have either killed or enslaved Israel anew.
Their mighty deliverances should, therefore, forever establish our confidence in God, and should stand as everlasting memorials that the wisdom of men is foolishness with God, and that faith in Him does actually remove mountains and seas, too.
Notwithstanding these ensamples, though, men still expect God to work in accordance with their judgment, and that is why sometimes He uses children in His work instead of wise and prudent men.
The Hebrew host well knew that they were led to the sea by following the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. Yet none of these wonders seemed to have made any lasting impression on them. There is a danger that we, too, may forget the way the Lord has led us.
Today as in Moses’ day many are duplicating the sins of that people: Some are all on fire on day, and all on ice the next. Others praise God to the top of their voices while their ship is smoothly sailing, but when the sea becomes rough and the waves start beating against them, then they see only a man at the wheel and rather than expecting God to calm the sea they begin to hunt for a jumping off place. Still others are constantly trying to promote themselves by continual fault-finding against the ones that bear the whole burden of the load. So it is that there must be among us today – antitypical doubters, complainers office seekers and faultfinders, admitting one great truth one day and forgetting it the next day – yet expecting to be sealed with the seal of God and to stand with the Lamb on Mt. Zion!