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I. THEIR EXALTED PRIVILEGES.

1. The pillar of cloud and of fire. This remarkable body — opaque by day, to screen them from the sun, and luminous by night, was at once their guide, glory, and defence. And what are the ordinances of religion but a directory and means of refreshment and defence?

2. The passage opening for them through the Red Sea (Exodus 14). Surely it can never be that any among this favoured people should ever prove forgetful of their Deliverer! Yet, so it was. And happy had it been for the Church of God if deliverances exceeding it in wonder had never been treated with equal forgetfulness!

3. The miraculous supply of food. "They did all eat the same spiritual meat." "He sent them bread from heaven."And what did they send in return? Murmurs, rebellion, and blasphemies. Then learn —

1. That miracles can neither convince nor convert, except as they are attended with the influences of the Spirit.

2. That benefits may be heaped upon man, etc. Yet he may rebel against the bountiful Donor. What are the verities of the gospel but spiritual bread? Yet in how many instances are such truths rejected; yea, even made an occasion of sin!

3. The refreshing stream issuing from the smitten rock. The water is called spiritual drink, and the bread spiritual meat, yet without spiritual discernment; while the body was nourished the soul perished.

II. THEIR AWFUL DOOM.

1. They incurred the Divine displeasure. "With many of them God was not well pleased."

2. They perished under the Divine wrath: "they were overthrown in the wilderness."

(T. Mortimer, B.A.)

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KJV: Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

WEB: Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;