Exodus 14:1-31
14:1-2 God guides the group as they continue to make their way out of Egypt. He charts the course; He knows which maneuvers need to be made. His advice is for the group to camp between Migdol and the sea.
14:3-4 God knows that Pharaoh will track the group's movements. God is aware that once Pharaoh realizes the children of Israel are surrounded without an escape route, he will pursue and attack them. God could have stopped Pharaoh but instead, He allows the pursuit. This will serve as further evidence of God's power: from a seemingly inescapable location, the children of God will remain free.
It is paramount that we understand the meaning of this. No matter what evil or injustice pursues us, God will always provide an escape route. Even when it seems that we are cornered, He will open a door, a way through.
14:5-7 As God predicted, the Egyptians are no longer feeling generous. They want their slaves back and more than even that, they want to display their power once again. Pharaoh gathers and organizes a skilled and equipped army: hundreds of chariots and captains.
14:8-9 Pharaoh, king of Egypt charges after the children of Israel with his army. They are bold; God has allowed Pharaoh to act in fervor: he's passionate about recapturing what he believes are his slaves. The reality is that we belong to nobody but God. We have been claimed by Him.
14:10 The children of Israel, including Moses, immediately lose heart and their faith in God withers to nothing. They are terrified when they realize that Pharaoh and his massive army is on their tail. All at once they have forgotten God's fulfillment of promises.
We have to consider that Pharaoh's heart is hardened by God for the purpose of forcing the children of Israel to develop their faith. At this point in the journey, it's brittle. Yet we cannot necessarily judge them however as we frequently waver in faith ourselves. This impressive, petrifying army is charging after them... it is natural that they would feel fear. They call out to God but not for comfort or reassurance. Instead, they call out to God in anger and disbelief.
14:11 The children of Israel are furious with God: Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? They think God has brought this group of over 600,000 of His children out of Egypt just to die. They have no confidence in God whatsoever, despite all that they have seen Him do. God has reiterated His everlasting covenant with the children of Israel many, many times but as soon as things stop looking hunky-dory, they forget it.
14:12 The children of Israel actually begin to whine to Moses. They essential say this to Moses: You should have left us where we were. Sure, we were miserable and mistreated but at least were alive. Really, folks? Were you alive? Because God has a different definition of living. The standards of life God has for His children are much higher.
When we become petulant about a situation, our faith is not the only thing we abandon. We also abandon our common sense. If it bothers God to see His children enslaved, wouldn't it also bother Him to witness His children be cornered and killed? Would He allow His everlasting covenant to be stamped out by a lesser being's boots? Of course not! That is ridiculous.
Consider the ways in your own life that you are being ridiculous. How many assurances do you need from God promising to deliver you from your enemies? How ever many times you need to hear it, He will say it. But it does not matter how many times He says it if you do not believe Him. He has written that promise to you throughout the entire Bible but if you do not trust Him, you sink into the same petulant fear as the children of Israel. And it's nonsensical fear! You have no reason to be afraid because:
- Worrying does not help you: Matthew 6:27 and Luke 12:25 Who of you by worrying can add a single moment to your life? What actual does help is this: preparedness, courage, strength, wisdom and hope. How we gain access to those actually helpful things is through faith.
- You are delivered from trouble by God: Psalm 138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. You have no reason to be afraid because God is working double time for you. All at once He's rescuing you and thwarting your enemies.
Moses and the children of Israel witnessed first hand the miraculous work of God in their lives. While He was exacting His power, they believed. Even though their faith faltered and even failed, He loved them and remained with them. Your faith is just as, if not more, precious to Him. John 20:29 "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." God knows how much courage and trust in faith is required to hand our lives over to Him. He understands the difficulty because He has witnessed how His children falter in faith even when His presence is abundantly apparent.
His mercy is endless. Infinite. He makes all kinds of allowances and forgiveness on our behalf. Just like Moses and the children of Israel, even when it appears you are stranded, left for dead in a figurative wilderness, He will be with you.
14:13 Moses is quick to reaffirm God's promises to them (this will become a frequent job for Moses). This is such a useful verse; more than a verse it is a balm. Learn it and make it your mantra: Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. Repeat it until it sinks into the depths of your soul. Let it dissipate the fear and anxiety.
When you hire Him, He's a faithful and dutiful worker. He doesn't take breaks or vacations. He doesn't get distracted. Hire Him as the central intelligence agency of your life. Read this Psalm and then reflect on it, on your personal relationship with your spiritual Father, your Abba:
Psalm 139
God knows you more than you know yourself. Why do you think that is? Why does He know so much about us? Because He loves us so deeply. Everything about us matters to Him. He's vigilant and responsive, powerful and courageous on our behalf. He's zealous to protect us and to deliver us into joy.1 O Lord, you have searched me and known me!2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;you discern my thoughts from afar.3 You search out my path and my lying downand are acquainted with all my ways.4 Even before a word is on my tongue,behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.5 You hem me in, behind and before,and lay your hand upon me.6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;it is high; I cannot attain it.7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?Or where shall I flee from your presence?8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!9 If I take the wings of the morningand dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,10 even there your hand shall lead me,and your right hand shall hold me.11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,and the light about me be night,”12 even the darkness is not dark to you;the night is bright as the day,for darkness is as light with you.13 For you formed my inward parts;you knitted me together in my mother's womb.14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.Wonderful are your works;my soul knows it very well.15 My frame was not hidden from you,when I was being made in secret,intricately woven in the depths of the earth.16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance;in your book were written, every one of them,the days that were formed for me,when as yet there was none of them.17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!How vast is the sum of them!18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand.I awake, and I am still with you.19 Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!O men of blood, depart from me!20 They speak against you with malicious intent;your enemies take your name in vain.21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord?And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?22 I hate them with complete hatred;I count them my enemies.23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!Try me and know my thoughts!24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
14:14 Moses continues to calm and comfort the children of Israel: The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace. We know that God's love is impartial (Acts 10:25, Romans 2:11) any promises He makes to one child, He promises to all. Therefore, take this verse into your own heart as well.
14:15 Our God is brave, prepared, powerful, purposeful and focused. When we welcome Him into our souls, to live within us, 1 Corinthians 3:16, we become those things as well. We have infinite access to them. God asks Moses: Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.
This verse should force each of us to ask ourselves the same question... to hear this question spoken to us from our God: Why are you afraid? Go forward! What a blessing we have. God tells us to move forward, to walk right out of the mud or quicksand or whatever it is that is holding us back. He has given us the power to move forward. To keep pushing on along the journey. To keep pursuing Him and joy and purpose. We do not have to stop and cry because we have the luxury of Him, clearing every bump in our path.
When a young child is first learning to ride a bike or even to walk, they usually take a few tumbles. More often than not, they fall off of their bike or off of their feet and immediately start wailing out of shock rather than pain. The child will look up to their parent, study their reaction and then decide how they should react. Well, your parent, your God, is always calm. He's always proud and confident and brave. Look up to Him when you find yourself on your butt. He's going to exemplify to you how to react. We do not have to waste time on shock or pain, even though those reactions are natural, because He is assuring us that we can stand up and move forward. He is a gentle and loving God. He asks us: Why are you crying, my love? You're okay. Go back to learning and finding and expressing joy.
14:16 There are no obstacles for God, that is the purpose of this message. Whether by miracle or manipulation of geological events, God is prepared to part this sea in order to rescue His children. Where we see a wall, He creates a door. The only entity that has you covered on all sides is Him. What sea can He part for you? He's willing, ready and capable of it.
God tells Moses that He will part the sea and allow the children of Israel to pass through.
14:17-18 He continues to speak to Moses: The Egyptians will follow them into the parted sea. They will witness the power of God.
14:19-20 God ensures His sphere of leadership and protection surrounds His children on all sounds. He becomes a foreboding cloud to the Egyptians and a source of light to His children. He warns our enemies away from us and simultaneously provides us strength and reassuring love.
14:21-22 God transforms the sea, creating a path of dry land for His children to pass. They begin to walk through.
14:23 As God foretold, the Egyptians follow after them: Pharaoh, Pharaoh's horses, chariots and soldiers.
14:24-25 God begins to thwart the charge and efficiency of Pharaoh's army. Their equipment starts to fail and so does their courage. They realize that rather than confronting their former slaves, they're confronting an all-powerful God. They realize once again that they are no match for Him.
14:26-28 Moses is told by God to lower the rod, eliminating the break in the waters. Suddenly all of their enemies are consumed. Enemies of God's children do not have the benefits of His omnipotence or protection.
14:29 At the very least, this should serve as comfort to us that zealous as our enemies/troubles may be, they waste their time by pursuing us. The journey through life is a completely different experience for children of God. God is our bridge over what is impassable for others.
14:30-31 The children of Israel restored their faith in God after witnessing His miraculous rescue of them again. They might be fair-weather fans of His, but they do try to live just and compassionate lives. God remains us as long as we remain with our commitment to justice and compassion... because those things are essentially Him. He puts up with our fickleness and wavering trust because He knows of our potential and desire to spiritually grow.
