The guidance of Israel through the sea was designed by God to establish in the hearts of the people reverence and faith in Him. But faith in the Lord was inseparably connected with faith in Moses as His representative, and for this reason the miracle had been wrought through Moses. Still babes in the faith, the Israelites were in need of miracles and divine manifestations. Belief followed, and was founded upon, sight. Our Lord, however, pronounced a blessing upon those “that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29). A faith that continues to lean upon sight is far from perfect. This was true of Israel. If we knew nothing of the consequent history of Israel, we would conclude that henceforth they must have continued their journey with rejoicing, trusting in God with all their hearts, and never again showing distrust, no matter how great the crisis. But on the contrary, we find them continually discontented with God and Moses, murmuring against them, and despising their counsel. While we look in amazement at the perfidy of the Israelites, we should not be hasty in condemning their dullness of heart. We are certainly by no means superior to them if we trust God no further than our natural sight can perceive His will and His ways.