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Signs of the Times, Book 1 - Ellen G. White

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The Lord revealed this to Abraham about four hundred years before it<br />

was fulfilled: "Know <strong>of</strong> a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land<br />

that is not <strong>the</strong>irs, and shall serve <strong>the</strong>m; and <strong>the</strong>y shall afflict <strong>the</strong>m four<br />

hundred years. And also that nation whom <strong>the</strong>y shall serve, will I judge; and<br />

afterward shall <strong>the</strong>y come out with great substance."<br />

Although <strong>the</strong> Israelites left Egypt in haste, yet <strong>the</strong>y were arranged in<br />

order, being divided into companies, with a leader for each. A "mixed<br />

multitude" accompanied <strong>the</strong>m, and "flocks and herds, even very much<br />

cattle." The latter were <strong>the</strong> property <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Israelites, who had never sold<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir possessions to <strong>the</strong> king. Jacob and his sons had brought <strong>the</strong>ir flocks and<br />

herds with <strong>the</strong>m to Egypt, where <strong>the</strong>y had greatly increased. The children <strong>of</strong><br />

Israel also had become exceedingly numerous, and it was a vast company<br />

that at <strong>the</strong> dawn <strong>of</strong> day were on <strong>the</strong>ir way from <strong>the</strong> land <strong>of</strong> bondage.<br />

"And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let <strong>the</strong> people go, that God led<br />

<strong>the</strong>m not through <strong>the</strong> way <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> land <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Philistines, although that was<br />

near; for God said, Lest peradventure <strong>the</strong> people repent when <strong>the</strong>y see war,<br />

and <strong>the</strong>y return to Egypt. But God led <strong>the</strong> people about, through <strong>the</strong> way <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> wilderness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Red Sea." "And Moses took <strong>the</strong> bones <strong>of</strong> Joseph with<br />

him; for he had straitly sworn <strong>the</strong> children <strong>of</strong> Israel, saying, God will surely<br />

visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you. And <strong>the</strong>y<br />

took <strong>the</strong>ir journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in <strong>the</strong> edge <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

wilderness. And <strong>the</strong> Lord went before <strong>the</strong>m by day in a pillar <strong>of</strong> a cloud, to<br />

lead <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong> way; and by night in a pillar <strong>of</strong> fire, to give <strong>the</strong>m light; to go<br />

by day and night. He took not away <strong>the</strong> pillar <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> cloud by day, nor <strong>the</strong><br />

pillar <strong>of</strong> fire by night, from before <strong>the</strong> people."<br />

The Lord knew that his people would meet with opposition, should <strong>the</strong>y<br />

attempt to pass through <strong>the</strong> land <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Philistines. The latter would regard<br />

<strong>the</strong> Israelites as fugitives escaping from <strong>the</strong>ir rightful masters, and would<br />

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