I was pointed back to ancient Israel, held in bondage by the Egyptians. The Lord wrought by Moses and Aaron to deliver them. Miracles were performed before Pharaoh to convince him that these men were especially sent of God to bid him let Israel go. But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened against the messengers of God, and he reasoned away the miracles performed by them. Then the Egyptians were made to feel God’s judgments. They were visited with plagues, and while suffering under the effect of them, Pharaoh consented to let Israel go. But as soon as the cause of their suffering was removed, his heart was hardened. His counselors and mighty men strengthened themselves against God and endeavored to explain the plagues as the result of natural causes. Each visitation from God was more severe than the preceding one, yet they would not release the children of Israel until the angel of the Lord slew the first-born of the Egyptians. From the king upon the throne down to the most humble and lowly, there was wailing and mourning. Then Pharaoh commanded to let Israel go; but after the Egyptians had buried their dead, he repented that he had let Israel go. His counselors and mighty men tried to account for their bereavement. They would not admit that the visitation or judgment was from God, and therefore they pursued after the children of Israel. {1T 264.4}

Jeg vist tilbage til det gamle Israel, der var i trældom hos ægypterne. Herren arbejde ved Moses og Aron for befri dem. Mirakler blev udført for Farao, for at (265) overbevise ham om at disse mænd var særligt udsendt fra Gud, for at byde ham at lade Israel gå. Men Faraos hjerte var forhærdet mod Guds budbringere og han bortforklarede de mirakler, der var udført af dem. Så fik ægypterne Guds domme at mærke. De blev ramt af plager og da de led under deres virkning, Farao samtykkede i at lade Israel gå. Men ligeså snart deres lidelser var forsvundet, blev hans hjerte forhærdet. Hans rådgivere og mægtige folk bestyrkede sig selv mod Gud og prøvede på at forklare at plagerne kom af naturlige grunde. Guds hjemsøgelser var altid strengere end det, som går forud og alligevel ville de ikke befri Israels børn før Herrens engel dræbte ægypternes førstefødte. Fra kongen på tronen, ned til den laveste om mest ydmyge, var der jammer og klage. Da befalede Farao at lade Israel gå; men efter at ægypterne havde begravet deres døde, angrede han, at han havde ladet Israel gå. Hans rådgivere og mægtige mænd prøvede at gå i rette med deres smertelige tab. De ville ikke indrømme at hjemsøgelsen var fra Gud og derfor forfulgte de Israels børn.