SCRIPTURE: EXODUS 14
BIBLE VERSES:
“Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 1410-14)
“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. During the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. He jammed he wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.” (Exodus 21-25)
“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.” (Exodus 14:26-28)
“But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.” (Exodus 14:29-31)
The Lord told Moses to tell the Israelites to turn bank and encamp near Pi Hahiroth between Migdol and the sea directly opposite Baal Zephon. While the Israelites had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds because they had lost their service. So, the decided to pursue them. Pharaoh took 600 of the best chariots along with his army and officers overtook the Israelites. The Israelites were terrified and blamed Moses. They prefered to serve the Egyptian than to die in the desert. But Moses assured them of God’s deliverance saying: “The Lord will fight for you. You need only to be still” (v. 14)
Then the Lord told Moses to raise his staff and stretch out his hand over the sea to divide the water into dry ground. Moses did what the Lord said that the water were divided. The Israelites went through the sea on dry ground with a wall of water on their right and on their left.
The Egyptians pursued them into the dry ground. Then the Lord told Moses to stretch out his hand so that the water may flow back. When the water flowed back, all Pharaoh chariots , horses and army that followed the Israelites were swept into the sea and not one of them survived. The Israelites went through the sea on dry grounds. When they saw the great power the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in Him and in Moses.
THOUGHTS:
When the Jews saw the Egyptian army coming, they were desperate and crying out in fear. They criticized Moses and complained to God. This mixed attitude represents believers who criticize their spiritual leaders instead of praying and seeking to encourage one another. They are used to complaining with poor memories of God’s great power.
As the Israelites were being pursued by the Egyptian chariots and army, they were terrified. But Moses gave these 3 advices: (1) – Do not be afraid (2)- Stand firm (3)-Be still for the Lord will fight for you. When you encounter fear and despair in life, apply these 3 advices. Focus on God’s faithfulness and His power and face crises with confidence rather than fear and complaints.
While the people were grumbling and complaining, Moses had a positive attitude. He called upon God to intervene. He encouraged the people to trust in God.
Grumbling and complaining are signs of lack of faith. Instead of giving in to despair, follow Moses’ advice to stand where you are and watch the Lord to rescue you. Don’t panic. God can open up a way out for you.
Pharaoh’s army and horsemen were drowned in Red Sea. Pharaoh reaped what the had sowed for he had drowned the Jewish infant boys in Nile River.