God's Superior Power Pt. 5 • Exodus 14

Review & Overview

1. Previous Study’s Review

Last time together we saw 2 things in chp.13:   

God’s Sanctification Vs. 1-16

God’s Guidance Vs. 17-22

We saw how God commanded Moses to consecrate all firstborn males to Him and instructs the Israelites to remember the event of their liberation from slavery in Egypt.

Chapter 13 also emphasizes the importance of passing down the story of God's faithfulness to future generations.

And one of the standout features of this chapter is its use of repetition, as the Lord stresses the importance of remembering their liberation through various rituals and practices.

The repetition serves to drive home the message of God's enduring faithfulness, even in the face of trials and hardships.

Which we will see more of that in Ch. 14

2. Current Study’s Overview

Now in chps.14 the Children of Israel leave Egypt and begin their journey toward the Wilderness… 

In this chapter, we see the Israelites' journey from slavery in Egypt to freedom, guided by the hand of God.

As we study this passage, we will learn about the power of faith and the importance of trusting in the Lord, even in the face of adversity.

2 things to note in this chapter:

The Circumstances at the Red Sea Vs. 1-18

The Crossing of the Red Sea Vs. 19-31

Train of thought regarding the sea to sea please Lord be with us to night bless them Lord you know them

1. The Circumstances at the Red Sea Vs. 1-18

1.1 Involve The Decision of Pharaoh Vs. 1-9

Vs.1-2 - As we mentioned last time the closest route to the Promised Land would be up the Via Maris…

But God was leading them into the Wilderness…     the dry…    dusty…   &   dangerous way…    

Here we see it gets worse…      the Lord was leading into a box canyon as it were…   between     2 mountain ranges, Pi Hahiroth & Baal Zephon, north & south…   &   the Red Sea to the east…

Militarily speaking this was a very bad move…       it made no sense…      terrible idea…

But it was God’s idea…     it’s what God wanted to do…      it was God leading & guiding them…

APPLICATION: God’s ideas doesn’t always make sense to us…   they don’t always compute in our way of thinking… 

And we end up questioning God…  asking Him why…   

Isaiah 55:8–9 NKJV

8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Romans 11:34 NKJV

34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?”

God knows what He’s doing.

Vs.3-4 - So God had a plan…   God had a purpose for putting them into this seemingly impossible situation.

Its so the Egyptians would know that He is the Lord…    that God is in charge…   in total control…

APPLICATION: What a great reminder for us…   even though we don’t always understand what God is doing, we need to allow Him to be the Lord of our lives…

Saying ok Lord, I don’t understand it…   I don’t get it…     but    I’m going to do it…

Vs.5-9 - At this point the Children of Israel had boldness, vs.8, apparently they understood that this was God’s plan…   &    that God was total control even over the Armies of Egypt…      but vs.10.

1.2 The Despair of the People Vs. 10-12

wow what a change…  one moment they were bold…    the next moment they were afraid…           what happened…     what changed…

According to vs.10, they lifted their eyes and saw the Egyptians…  

In other words they took their eyes off of the pillar of cloud & fire (God) and got their eyes onto the Egyptians (their situation)…

In Luke 8:22-25 when Jesus & the disciples were crossing over the Sea and great storm came up… Jesus was asleep in the back of the boat…   the disciples got their eyes off of Jesus & onto the storm… 

Luke 8:22–25 NKJV

22 Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out. 23 But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. 24 And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 But He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!”

They had a lapse of faith in the Lord because Jesus said:  let us cross over to the other side…

APPLICATION: Anytime we get our eyes off of the Lord and onto our situation it’s easy to have a lapse of faith…

2 Corinthians 4:18 NKJV

18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1.3 The Declaration of Moses Vs. 13-14

Don’t be afraid…    stand still…   the Lord will fight for you…   the Lord will save you…

APPLICATION:

ILLUSTRATION:

1.4 The Decree of God Vs. 15-18

There is a time to stand still, to wait on the Lord…   &   there is a time to go, step out in faith…

APPLICATION: It’s always a good idea to stand still, to wait on the Lord, to hear from the Lord before go out from before the Lord…    

1 Kings 19:11–13 NKJV

11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. 13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

2. The Crossing of the Red Sea Vs. 19-31

2.1 Involves The Protecting Vs. 19-20

The cloud not only guided them…    it guarded them…     &    gave light to them…

Here we see the cloud is none other then the Angel of the God…   the Messiah…  the Christ…

APPLICATION: What a beautiful picture of Jesus Christ:    guiding us…   guarding us…  &  giving light to us…

Isaiah 54:17 NKJV

17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.

Matthew 16:18 NKJV

18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Romans 8:31 NKJV

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Psalm 18:2 NKJV

2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

2.2 Involves The Parting Vs. 21-22

But notice how the Israelites crossed the sea, vs.29, they Walked…  

APPLICATION: you see when the Lord is leading us & guiding us there is no hurry…    no rush…  no pressure…   

Anytime someone hurries me or pressures me… I always pull back and stop… because God’s not in a rush…    He’s not in a hurry…    neither am I…

2.3 Involves The Perishing Vs. 23-31

Vs. 21-29 - So once again the Lord displays His great power & authority to deliver the Children of Israel and to conquer the armies of the Egyptians…         Just as He said He Would…

APPLICATION: No matter bad or bleak our situation may seem…  we can rely on the Word of the Lord, He will do exactly what He said He would do…

Vs.30-31 - Even in the midst of trials & troubles…  the Lord is there, guiding… guarding… giving light…

He is always there…     He is always faithful… 

1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV

13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Isaiah 43:2 NKJV

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.

The Lord is always there...     the Lord is always faithful…

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