But they were not yet ready to leave Egypt. They were as yet but stony ground hearers of the Word. They received it with joy at the first, but as soon as persecution arose they became offended. If they could have left Egypt without any hindrance, and could have had an easy passage to the promised land, they doubtless would not have murmured; but “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God,” 1Acts 14:22. and those who do enter in must learn to rejoice even in tribulation. This lesson the Israelites had yet to learn. EVCO 181.2