CHAPTER V

A GREAT DELIVERANCE

Egypt has never been a health resort.  The intensely hot summers breed germs of disease, and also the insects which often carry them.  Throughout its history the country has been ravaged periodically by fearful epidemics.  A series of these pestilences predicted by Moses and declared to be Jehovah’s punishment for the enslavement of the Israelites, made it possible for him to lead his people out of slavery.  So severe were the plagues that the government was for a time disorganized.  Taking advantage of their opportunity, the Hebrews suddenly gathered up their possessions and set out toward the desert, driving their sheep and goats before them.  In spite of the large figures given in some passages of Exodus, other statements indicate that they were not very numerous, a few thousand at most, and they doubtless hoped to slip out past the border fortresses, at night, unnoticed.  As they approached the border, however, news came that they were being pursued by a troop of horsemen.  This meant, of course, that a watch would be made for them at the fortresses also.  They were caught in a trap, and turned in despair upon Moses, who could only once more assure them that Jehovah was leading them, and would somehow open the way.

THE STRONG EAST WIND AND ITS RESULT

That night they encamped on the western shore of one of the shallow bays or lakes at the head of the Red Sea.  To the east was the water.  North of the lake the wall and the line of fortresses began.  Behind them they could already see where their pursuers were camping for the night.  In the morning—­terror, death, and return to slavery!

=A path through the sea.=—­During the night, however, someone came in from the shore of the lake with the astonishing news that it was going dry.  A strong east wind was blowing, with an effect often observed by modern travelers, namely, that the comparatively shallow waters were being driven back into the deeper part of the sea.  Instantly the word of command was given.  With the women and children first and the flocks next, they picked their way through the mud and sand and rocks on the lake bottom, clear across to the other side.  The next morning the wind changed, the waters returned, and many of their pursuers were drowned.

The feelings of the Hebrews are expressed in the words of the triumph song in which through all later centuries they celebrated this deliverance: 

="I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: 
The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.=
* * * * * * * * *
=Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea;
And his chosen captains are sunk in the Red Sea."=

INFLUENCE OF THE EXODUS ON HEBREW RELIGION