From the Pulpit: A grand escape!
Sometimes we think stories like this one in Exodus 13 and 14 should be saved for children’s books alone. If as an adult you believe in the Bible, you should believe all of it. This story is dramatic and an action-packed account of God providing protection for his people. A very relevant story for us in our day.
Exodus 14:13-14(NLT) But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you … The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
Moses is confident that the Lord will protect them. Notice the four things he directs the people to do. No. 1 – Don’t be afraid, No. 2 – Stand still, No. 3 – Watch the Lord fight for you! He then he adds No. 4 – Stay calm.
The angel of God has been leading Israel and its 2 million people – protecting them from Egypt’s powerful army. There is no power like God’s power. Even though they had seen God’s mighty power in the 10 plagues while in Egypt and shouldn’t be surprised, yet they were.
Exodus 14:21-22(NLT) Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the LORD opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!
God not only separated the water; he also provided a dry pathway via a strong dry wind - the muck would have been a mess for 2 million people. The view of the walls of water had to be amazing to see! Look at how Pharaoh and his leaders reacted. The Egyptian army thought they were in control of the situation. They don’t think, they just react, blindly running onto the sea floor to chase Israel.
Exodus 14:27, 31(NLT) … Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the water rushed back into its usual place. The Egyptians tried to escape, but the LORD swept them into the sea. When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the LORD had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him…
God is powerful; the problem is we often don’t see it – we overlook His actions in history. We forget the power and sovereignty of His actions in our present day! We get overly-focused on a human viewpoint of our world and its power, especially with all its seductions and temptations. We think that the government will protect us. We put our faith in so many things, but not God. Just as Moses trusted God, we need faith and obedience like Moses.
Having a healthy fear of God is the first step to knowing God in a personal way. May we as a people be passionate about knowing God and following His ways.
