Exodus - Max M. Johnson

Now, Pharaoh was a mighty king, full of pride, and bold;

With power and riches in his hand, all Egypt he controlled.

Now, Pharaoh was a mighty king, full of pride, and bold;

With power and riches in his hand, all Egypt he controlled.

But in his land there dwelt a race of people, quite unique;

For they were called of God, you see, — these folk of whom we speak.

But they had left heir “Promised Land”; and they were out of place

In Egypt, where they served the king with rigour, — in disgrace.

Now Moses was a man of God, full of faith, and meek

Whom God had called, to lead again their promised land to seek.

Then Pharaoh balked, and blasphemed God, and would not let them go;

But God had ways and means at hand, His power thus to show.

And so the contest was begun; who would the winner be

The stubborn king, or God’s own man, His people to set free?

Now Pharaoh’s heart was hard as stone, and stubborn he remained

As Moses plead, with Aaron, too — their pleading was in vain.

So judgement number one came on: the waters turned to blood,

Yes, every pond and river, at the stroke of Aaron’s rod.

Next, Moses spoke to Aaron, ”With the rod stretch forth thine hand,”

And came the frogs, and frogs, and FROGS! to cover all the land.

Then lice, in man and beast, and flies by Aaron’s rod;

‘Til Pharaoh’s “Magic Men” cried out, “This is the finger of God!”

And Moses plead with Pharaoh still to let the people go

To sacrifice and worship God, their reverence to show.

Then Pharaoh weakened just a bit — caved in to their demand

“OK, —go sacrifice to God, but stay within the land.”

“No way,” said Moses in reply, “Not good for us to do

We’ll go three days outside this land — we’ll go in spite of you!”

Well, Pharaoh hardened still his heart, and would not let them go.

But God still had some other things, His power and might to show.

And next upon the animals throughout the king’s domain

(Except where Israel’s cattle were) there came a bad murrain.

And all the beasts of Egypt died; and that was not enough

To soften Pharaoh’s heart, so things got VERY rough.

God smote with boils, with pestilence, and haildrops unrestrained;

And locusts covered all the fields, destroying what remained.

Then came the darkness over all, — so thick it could be felt;

For three days covered it the land, except where Israel dwelt.

And then was heard, as ne’er before, that loud lamenting cry

At midnight, when the firstborn, all, of man and beast must die.

For Pharaoh’s heart was hardened still — the plagues came to an end;

His stubborn will — withstanding all — to God he would not bend.

So one last judgement there must fall, for Israel to be free;

(And this portrays God’s wondrous grace and love to you and me).

A sacrificial lamb must die — its blood put on the door

Of every house where Israel dwelt, — one lamb, no less, no more.

For God had said at midnight hour He would pass o’er the land

To strike the firstborn of each house with death by His own hand.

And to escape this judgement sore, the blood must be in view,

“For only when I see the blood, will I pass over you.”

So then, at last, when all he lost, well Pharaoh THRUST them out!

And he was glad to see them go, of this there is no doubt.

Now, Israel dwelt in Egypt land four hundred thirty years;

And on that day they did depart with singing and with cheers.

They started through the wilderness, God leading them along,

Of men on foot (plus little ones) six hundred thousand strong.

Some time had passed, and things had cooled in Egypt now it seems;

The things that happened there passed off as only just bad dreams.

And it was told the king, “The people all have fled.”

“Why did we let them go from serving us?” he said.

So, mustered he his horsemen, and his chariots six hundred strong,

And pursued the camp of Israel, — and o’ertook them before long.

They were caught between the mountains, — the Red Sea just ahead;

No place to run, — no place to hide, they thought that they were dead.

But Moses said, “Fear not, Stand still, and surely you will see

The great salvation of the Lord, — what He will do for thee.”

For Pharaoh and his men, their existence, — it shall cease;

Because “The Lord shall fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

The Lord said unto Moses, “stretch your hand now o’er the sea

The waters will divide, – provide a dry ground path for thee.”

And this he did, and as God said, the waters stood aside,

And Israel passed between the walls — the way God did provide.

Now Pharaoh’s hosts pressed on ahead to capture them, you know,

Into the pathway in the sea every one of them did go;

But e’er they reached the other side, the walls collapsed on them;

And, (truth were known) it just turned out — not one of them could swim!

So they were caught, then — they were not, their bodies washed ashore;

And Israel pressed on alone, to see them never more.

Now what are we to learn from this, — this story we have heard?

Well, first of all, we need to heed what God says in His Word.

The thing that Pharaoh needed most — he needed from the start

And that was nothing short of this: a great big change of heart.

So likewise we, if we would see salvation from God’s wrath,

Must cast ourselves upon His grace, and take the only path

Provided for our soul’s escape. Christ said, “I am the way;”

And we must take Him at His word, and go to Him today.

So when it comes our turn to stand to face the waters grim,

We’ll know His cross has bridged the way for us to be with Him.

Our “Exodus” from this world’s scene of misery and woe

Is through the blood; and evermore His blessings we will know.

Max M. Johnson