Life After Redemption--Israel's First Crisis--Crossing the Red Sea:

Exodus 14:1-31

L/W-We began our 8-week series, if you will on “Life After Redemption,” in looking at three things:

God’s direction ALWAYS has a plan/serves a purpose

God’s direction ALWAYS requires faith

God’s direction ALWAYS includes His presence

T/W—We continue our study of Israel’s pilgrammage to Canaan, in learning of Israel’s first crisis along their way—the crossing of the Red Sea.

(Exodus 14:1-31)

Life is often cruel—at times very cruel. Between the circumstances we face, our own sinful choices, or the sinful choices of others, the brokenness that follows, can allow hope to be replaced with disappointment, joy to be replaced with sadness, and confidence be replaced with doubt. The cruel nature of brokenness is not lost on anyone and touches every one of us. Whatever the cause of our brokenness, brokenness’ co-pilot tends to be fear.

In times when the odds may seem insurmountable, fear deceives us to believe there’s

No way out of addictions/strongholds

No way out of divorce/broken (immoral relationships)

No way out of the lies you’ve been believing or telling yourself

No way out of the lies you’ve been hiding

No way out of the crisis you are in

Fear deceives us to question,

“Is God really there?”

“God, do you really care for me?”

God, I thought you loved me and had my best at heart?”

Fear tempts to

Go back to how things were before; to what held us in bondage,

Go back to what’s familiar or simpler

Find another way—an easy, more comfortable way

Simply give up

This was the very situation confronting Israel. They had been freed from Egypt, yet now they stood in a perilous spot, facing a man whose heart was so hardened it made him crazy with hate and hatred for them; facing an army of 600 chosen chariots, and most powerful army on the face of the earth…and in there minds (everyone except God and Moses), there was no way out—fear came quickly crashing in

Standing b/t Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea, Israel’s odds seemed insurmountable--hope gave way to fear, and fear gave way to doubt.

It is just as easy for us, as it was for the Israelites, to have fearful hearts full of unbelief, doubt; hearts of bitterness, grumbling & complaining; hearts that desire to just go back, give in, or give up. But to believe that God has no power to save you or to overcome ANY trial and circumstance in your life, is to believe a lie straight from the enemy himself.

Moses knew, as we should, that God desired to deliver His people. Moses knew, as we should, God was/is sovereign over EVERY part of our lives. Moses lived, as we should, expectant that God would deliver His people in a way that would give Him the glory and be for the good of His children. As we look at the Red Sea crossing, my hope is that we will see the unassuming, yet full of faith actions of Moses—in trusting God to deliver His people

I. (v.1-4) God’s plan and purpose (remember, God’s plan serves His will—Salvation & Sanctification)

Exodus 14:1-4 “Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn and camp before Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, opposite Baal Zephon; you shall camp before it by the sea. For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, ‘They are bewildered by the land; the wilderness has closed them in.’ Then I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord.” And they did so.”

(CONTEXT)

The instructions God Moses appear strange as He told Moses to change directions and turn back to pitch camp by the Red Sea

Opposite Baal-zephon and near Pi-hiharoth

Baal-zephon—named for an Egyptian deity, gave Israel an ideal place to observe Pharaoh’s coming army; a visual aid for Israel to see God’s glory verse those who worshipped false gods

Pi-hiharoth—setting for God’s miraculous defeat of Pharaoh’s army @ the Red Sea

Between Migdol and the sea

Area of western Egypt, just west of the Red Sea, it’s Hebrew name means “fort” or “watchtower”

Area where Israel camped while waiting for either (1) death or (2) God to act miraculously

Why turn them back? It would have been “easier” to keep marching towards Canaan, so why (Remember God’s plans always have a plan/purpose (deliverance & sanctification)

There are 3 reasons

God wanted Pharaoh to think Israel was trapped

God was to gain the glory through Pharaoh and his army, gain glory over an evil empire and false gods of the Egyptians

God wanted Egypt to recognize that He is the Lord—the one and only true living God, the only true Savior and Deliverer of man

Again, we see this truth play out in the storyline of the Israelites; the Israelites needed constant reminding that God was/is Yahweh & Jehovah

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION)

God’s direction requires the right lens

Our lens, which is cracked, fallible, and sin-natured, see God’s direction either as too confusing, too difficult, an interference, or it’s misunderstood

Confusing—His direction won’t make sense to us; and if something doesn’t make sense us, obedience will be set aside and we won’t go, b/c we don’t want to understand.

Too difficult—in comparing His direction to what we think is best, obedience is set aside for the sake of “ease and comfort;” or an

Interefence—His direction interferes with our plans, gets in the way of us seeking our own glory and namesake; therefore obedience is set aside for the sake of the lord of self

Misunderstood—His direction, when it’s misunderstood, limits what our true pursuit of Christ should look like

In God’s direction of our lives, when MUST measure them through the lens of God’s Word

This way, a person goes from thinking, "this doesn’t make sense, so I’m not going,” to “OK Lord, what is it you are trying teach me, I’ll go?”

This way, a person goes from, “there’s an easier, more comfortable way” to “OK Lord, this isn’t gonna be easy, but I trust you, that you know better than I do.”

This way, a person goes from, “What about me and my way?” to “OK Lord, if this will bring You the glory and me the good, I’m in!”

This way, a person goes from, “Hey, God what’s your will for my life?” to, “Lord, what is Your will and how can I meet you there?”

In the len’s of God’s Word, all of the above ways carry one singular requirement—denial of self. As we develop the spiritual discipline of self-denial, we become little by little less involved in what matters most to us and more intentional on what matters most to God (again, salvation & sanctification)

God’s purpose in His direction

God, at all times, sees what we cannot see and His leading will ALWAYS serves His glory, for the good of the believer and to that end, desires that you see and respond to Him in the following ways:

God desires that He might be your only way of escape, your only resort, your only manner of deliverance and at times will lead you to the place where you will have to recognize this

God desires that He might be your only prayer—prayer of hope, prayer of dependency, and prayer of deliverance and at times He will lead you to the place where you will have to recognize this

God desires that He might be the one who fights your battles, who provides you the victory, and at times He will lead you to a place where your only reliance is the freedom afforded through the cross of Christ.

John 5:5-8 “Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.””

John 6:68 “But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

John 8:31-32 “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.””

Acts 4:12 “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.””

II. (v.5-9) Pharaoh’s change of mind and pursuit of God’s people

Exodus 14:5-9 “Now it was told the king of Egypt that the people had fled, and the heart of Pharaoh and his servants was turned against the people; and they said, “Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” So he made ready his chariot and took his people with him. Also, he took six hundred choice chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt with captains over every one of them. And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the children of Israel; and the children of Israel went out with boldness. So the Egyptians pursued them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and overtook them camping by the sea beside Pi Hahiroth, before Baal Zephon.”

(CONTEXT)—Pharaoh’s change of mind and pursuit of Israel paints a dramatic scene

Pharaoh’s heart was so hardened, so calloused, so set in it’s pride

Choosing evil was second nature

Repentance was used as manipulation (remember how he “relented” only until the judgment passed—it’s no different here)

The death of his own firstborn, instead of leading him to face conviction, only served to harden his heart more (“Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?”)

Couldn’t see, that even in the midst of the plagues, God was longsuffering that he might respond to the conviction to repent

Couldn’t see, that the decimation of Egypt was God’s judgment against his rejection/rebellion and hard/prideful heart

Because of this, Pharaoh’s heart was obstinate/stubborn/set against God, full of hatred for God and His people, and when it sank in that:

Their economy and nation had been decimated by God’s plagues,

Their labor force was negatively impacted when Israel was freed, and

Their enormous wealth was given away, in order to see the plagues cease

Pharaoh mobilized his massive army and his army began to pursue and overtook them, where Israel was encamped

600 chariots designed for war, along with 100’s of others

Pharaoh’s massive army itself

Horsemen

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION)

Right expectations-As believers, we must understand

We cannot expect, as believers (God’s people)

(FIRST) For our “life after redemption” to be painless, absent of hardships/trials/temptations

James 1:2 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,”

1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;”

(SECONDLY) For the enemy to give up in his efforts to distract/deter/derail us—despite knowing his fate (Revelation 12:12), he will continue to act against God and His people

Paul teaches us in 1 Corinthians 2:7-8, that had the enemy and the world known what the cross would have accomplished, “they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

1 Cor 2:7-8 “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”

Jesus tells John in Revelation 12:12 that the devil comes, “having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time

Revelation 12:12 “Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.””

What does all this mean? The enemy may be the great deceiver, the silver-tongue liar, the serpent, and instigator of unrighteousnes and sin, but he’s not stupid

He knows—b/c of the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ, he has an end, and b/c of this and his anger/hatred towards God,

He will stop at nothing to see lost people stay lost and see believers stumble nad become placid/stoic/and distracted in their faith

(THIRDLY) That the world will ALWAYS allow freedom to praise/worship/preach the name of Jesus Christ

The world (its rulers/governments) are fickle and while there may be seasons of peace in certain places, in others, it actively persecutes believers

The world develops policy after policy (or it will) that will hinder the believer’s right to worship/pray and evangelize the world—to limit the Church’s right to teach and bear testimony

Right preperations

(FIRST)-Believers themselves must discipline and guard themselves against persecution/trials and temptations

1 Timothy 6:11 “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.”

1 Peter 3:15-17 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”

1 Peter 4:1-2 “Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.”

(SECONDLY) In understanding that the enemy will not quit, we must continue and be relentless

2 Timothy 3:14-17 “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

2 Peter 1:4-8 “by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(THIRDLY) In understanding all of this, we must as believers, always be prepared to turn away from this world

Walk in daily repentance and confession

1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Walk actively removing the leaven (evil) out of our lives

Walk in daily rememberance of what God has promised you, when you trust Him, rely on Him, and are obedient to Him:

Deuteronomy 7:18-19 “you shall not be afraid of them, but you shall remember well what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt: the great trials which your eyes saw, the signs and the wonders, the mighty hand and the outstretched arm, by which the Lord your God brought you out. So shall the Lord your God do to all the peoples of whom you are afraid.”

Deuteronomy 7:21-22 “You shall not be terrified of them; for the Lord your God, the great and awesome God, is among you. And the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once, lest the beasts of the field become too numerous for you.”

Isaiah 54:17 “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.”

Romans 8:31 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

III. (v.10-12) The Fear of the People and the Cry of the People

Exodus 14:10-12 “And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord. Then they said to Moses, “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? Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.””

(CONTEXT) The picture to see here is a picture of fear & terror, worry and anxiety, uncertainty and uneasiness. Why? Israel stood b/t an uncrossable Red Sea and a fierce, angry army of trained Egyptian soldiers

***Notice the relatively quick turnabout in the Israelies. In Exodus 13:21-22 we read about how God’s presence was about them by day and by night—and this presence was impressive a “pillar of cloud,” and a “pillar of fire,” a singular, constant guide, protector, and provider. Yet in here in veres 10-12 we see Israel forget all about God’s presence and turn to fear, complaining, and grumbling***

How did Israel respond?

Some cried out to the Lord (v.10), however,

The majority complained, blamed, and turned against Moses (v.11-12)

Exodus 14:11b “...Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt?”

Israel was so full of fear, God’s deliverance became the target of their blame, “If you hadn’t delivered us, we wouldn’t be in this situation!”

What did this reveal about Israel’s heart?

They were gripped with feelings of

Helplessness and hopelessness

Despair and agony

Their hearts were overcome with

Fear,

Doubt, and

Faithlessness

The truth is, what Israel was feeling SHOULD have turned them to depend on God, but there hearts where so overcome with fear they even desired to back in bondage

Exodus 14:12 “Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.””

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION)-

At different points in our lives, we are sure to be confronted with hardship and sometimes this hardship or trial may cause debilitating fear/worry, bring about feelings of overwhelming anxiety/uncertainty.

To navigate and overcome these, we must begin with a right understanding of our own nature (apart from Christ), so in recognizing it, we can know and learn to walk in the divine nature, given by God—the Holy Spirit (discuss men’s group conversation

In truth, what Israel was experiencing, is at times what we may experience in hardship,

Feelings of

Helplessness and hopelessness

Despair and agony

Hearts that

Fear,

Have Doubt, and

Struggle to stand fast in our faith

Minds that possess the same tendency to return to those things that kept us in bondage:

Addictions

Self-reliance

Dependency on rules, works, or religion

In truth, being confronted with hardship, left to ourselves, our nature has a bent towards:

Aversion & avoidance:

We simply don’t want to deal, or

We try and find a work-around, a more easier, less uncomfortable or convicting way around it

Complaining, criticism, and compromise

Blaming

Blame is as old as the story of the fall in Genesis 3—in fact, our nature to blame others began there

Blame is in all actuality, blaming God for the situation you are

Barter with God

We must also understand the “why” behind our turning to these and other sinful tendencies

Poor quality of faith—we musn’t view faith as “quantity,” rather we must view it as “quality;” and our quality of faith is grown or weakened in how we encounter hardship (James 1)

Lack of trust and dependency—we forget that God is already there in the trial, therefore stands ready to see you through it (Joshua 2 and the Lord going ahead of Israel in Jericho, or Joshua 3 and the crossing of the Jordan River)

Forgetfullness-we forget/neglect to remember, how in previous circumstances, God delivered us and saw us through them (Jeremiah 1-4)

The actions of Israel are the tendencies of our own hearts when we neglect or forget the promises of God’s presence in our lives—faith will give way to fear, temptations will trump trust, and doubt replaces dependency

The hardship before us seems too difficult or what God is asking us to do is to uncomfortable

We need to remember and walk in the assurances we have in living in Christ—with God’s divine nature (2 Peter 2:4)

His Holy Spirit

Assures us that we are born again and saved (Ephesians 1:13-14)

Assures us that we have the right to be called sons of God (1 John 1:12)

Assures us that we have access to the Father whenever for whatever (Ephesians 2:18)

Assures us that as we fight, battle, struggle, and stand fast against the trials/temptations/persecutions of this world—we fight from a place of victory (Deuteronomy 20:4, Philippians 1:6, 2 Corinthians 10:4, Ephesians 6:10-18)

Assures us that we are hidden in Christ (Colossians 3:1-4)

Assures us that we are forgiven, no longer condemned, at peace with God, live under the saving & sustaining power of His grace (Romans 8)

Assures us that we are no longer live hopeless, rather live with a living hope (1 Peter 1:3)

Assures us that we are no longer helpess, that we have a Helper (John 16:7-14)

Assures us that strongholds are laid to waste and every thought is taken captive (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

Assures us that in belief, fear is put to death (Mark 5:36)

Assures us there is no fear in death (Romans 8:38-39; Psalm 23:4, Revelation 2:10)

Assures us that God is for us, therefore nothing shall stand against us (Romans 8:31)

Assures us that God will work all things for the good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Assures us that we are never alone, never have to walk alone, never have to endure trials alone, never have to struggle alone. (Verses on the Holy Spirit in John—Matthew 28:20 (Lo, I am with you till the end of the age...”)

Assures us gives us divine worth, divine value, and a divine identity—that we are no longer defined by the labels of this world, rather we are defined by what God Himself says about us (Genesis 1:26-27, Psalm 139:13-14, Psalm 108, etc)

Assures us we are continually washed by the blood of Jesus Christ as we walk in the confession and repentance of our sin—wwe are forgiven, no longer condemned, and under grace (1 John 1:7)

God’s presence is also constant/immutable

God doesn’t lead us through one circumstance or trial then leave us to fight the next one on our own

He is in every trial with us

He walks through every trial with us,

He fights for us through each and every trial, and

He will help us conquer, overcome, and triumph over EVERY circumstance in our lives…there is no thing or NOTHING too big for our God to conquer!!!

Moments and seasons of hardship require faith in Who God is, what He has accomplished in your life, and His promise to continue to go ahead of you and fight for you.

No matter how hopeless or helpless we feel—we are never beyond God’s restoration and deliverance

IV. (v.13-15) The Message of Victory and Deliverance

Exodus 14:13-15 “And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.”

(CONTEXT) The context here displays how, instead of giving in to the complaining and accusing, Moses gave Israel a challenge, one of the greatest challenges for Israel and for us today. They are three-fold,

Moses shouted for Israel to

Fear not

Stand firm/stand still (Galatians 5:1 & Joshua 3:5-7)

Witness God’s deliverance

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION)

(Fear not) Fear finds it’s end in the peace of God which transcends all understanding. How do we discover and experience this: Paul teaches us four things

It’s found in rejoicing

Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”

It’s found in our gentleness—the word here means “reasonable” or not so concerned with unimportant matters, don’t struggle with nonessentials

Philippians 4:5 “Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.”

Through our prayer life,

Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Anxiousness--”divided mind”

The focus of our meditation

Philippians 4:8-9 “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Stand firm

Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”

Again, our tendency is to flee the hard things, to get away and run—but this is not God’s way

God’s way is to stand, not give up, nor flee and waith and watch God save and deliver us

Move In any problem/hardship we must most certainly take time to pray, cry out to God, study & analyze the problem, BUT there is a time:

To stop

Crying out and praying

Blaming others for our problems and take ownership

Analyzing and planning

To get up:

Go forward and move on

Trust God to do what He’s promised to do

Walk in the next right step of obedience

God demands we:

Arise and go forth—that we be diligent, steadfast, and unmovable

Matthew 10:22 “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.”

1 Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

Have zeal in life

V. (v.16-18) The Purpose in Dividing the Red Sea

Exodus 14:16-18 “But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. And I indeed will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them. So I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, his chariots, and his horsemen. Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gained honor for Myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.””

(CONTEXT) The Purpose was three-fold

First—God divided the Red Sea that His people would be delivered (v.16)

Second-God divided the Red Sea that He would get the glory (v.17)

Thirdly—God divided the Red Sea that the Egyptians might know that He was/is the Lord (v.18)

VI. (v.19-28) The Deliverance Itself

(CONTEXT)—Take a slower, deeper look at what happened here:

The angel of God moved from the front His people to the rear (v.19)

He moved to protect God’s people from the attack of the Egyptians

The pillar of cloud moved to the rear of the Israelites as well—stayed b/t God’s people and the Egyptians (v.19-20)

This was a wall of darkness & confusion to the Egyptians

They lost sight of the Israelites

They were unable to pursue them

This was a wall of light to God’s people

God’s Almighty power was demonstrated through His servant Moses (v.21)

A strong east wind blew the sea back all night and the waters stood upright/piled up/congealed

The ground on the sea bed was dried up for Israel to walk on/across

God’s presence and control delivered His people (v.23-27)

Egypt pursued in “blind rage,” hardness of heart, pride, and stubbornness—even hatred

Egypt was too consumed with rage/hate, they idea that (1) the waters were “divided,” and (2) that it was the hand of God which accomplished this. IT DIDN’T EVEN CROSS THEIR MINDS WHAT THEY WERE RACING INTO.

God “looked down” upon the Egyptians

“Looked down” is always tied to God’s mercy or wrath: Here

He looked down on Israel with mercy, while

He looked down on Egypt with wrath

God delivered His people by executing justice and judgment upon the Egyptians (v.26-28)

(BIBLICAL APPLICATION)

In all of this—God ALWAYS delivers His people; regardless of the problem/difficulty, no matter the depth of sin or darkness of sin, God will move heaven and earth to deliver us—if need be, He would even override the laws of nature

Ephesians 3:16-19 “that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

VII. (v.29-31) The Lord Brings Salvation to the People

Exodus 14:29-31 “But the children of Israel had walked on dry land in the midst of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. So the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Thus Israel saw the great work which the Lord had done in Egypt; so the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord and His servant Moses.”

(CONTEXT) These verses emphasize 4 things:

Israel walked through the sea on dry ground (v.29)

God saved Israel from the ancient Egyptians (v.30)

Israel saw the dead, their evil enslavers lying on the seashore (v.30)

God’s purpose was accomplished (v.31)

(WORSHIP)

Fear is one of the worst nightmares people face as they journey through the wilderness of this world, as we are often confronted with

Trials/temptations

Anxieties & worries

Sickness & loss

Reminders of our past

Hopeless and helpless circumstances and situations

Financial worries

Marital struggles

Wayward children

Job loss

Fear causes people to:

Worry incessantly

Fight amongst themselves

Become overly concerned with appearance and image

Isolate themselves in self-reliance

Make rash, hurried decisions

Make false accusations and assumptions

Grasp for relationships—even to the immoral ones

Become physically ill

Ignore and forget about God

Lie, cheat, steal, fight, and even kill

Fear can overrun us, overwhelm us, and overcome us—if we don’t entrust our lives to Jesus Christ (for salvation and sanctification)

We can stand to learn in a most unassuming character in this account—Moses.

Going back to our introduction, Moses lived out what he knew—God desires deliverance, God is sovereign over ALL things, and God would act for the good of His people, so that He might get the glory. How can we live this way?

Missy and I’s hiking day on Friday:

Gird yourself with God’s truth

Hiking example—Missy discovered the waist strap on her camel-back and after putting it on, realized the weight of what she was carrying was lifted off her shoulders

The lesson here: We were not created to carry the weight of the journey, carrying that weight wears you down, slows you down

Girding ourselves, fastening ourselves with the truth of God’s Word removes the weight of the journey off our shoulders and allows His truth to bear it all, and allows you to

Embrace/endure/enjoy the journey knowing God’s carrying all the weight

God sees ALL things, we see one demensional

Hiking example—I was looking out across the valley and saw “a single hill.” We look at our journey one-dementionally, yet God’s sees everything

The lesson here—(mountains were often thought of as the hardship/struggle/trial in Scripture)

If we could see ALL the mountains that were before us-we’d be overwhelmed, we’d turn around, and go back

Deuteronomy 7:21-22 “You shall not be terrified of them; for the Lord your God, the great and awesome God, is among you. And the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once, lest the beasts of the field become too numerous for you.”

We take our journey one mountain at a time, one obstacle, one trial/temptation, one hard thing at a time—b/c if we knew what all we’d encounter, or we encountered them all at once—we’d be overwhelmed

God’s way is worth it

Hiking example—legs hurt, heart rate up, multiple times thinking we saw the peak or had made it to the top finally made it to the top but being wrong, we FINALLY made it to the top and the view was worth all the hurt

The lesson here: God knows where the peak is—our responsibility is to keep going and endure, b/c the view from that peak is worth it.

“The view at the top is worth the endurance of the journey for those who endure the journey”

“The view at the top is reserved for those who make the climb” (Derald Gautier—Belmar Baptist Church)

Like Israel, our path is not an easy one, not a comfortable one—it’s a path full of trials/temptations, full of hardships/struggles, and a path full of uncharted territory; barren, rugged, unforgiving, and treacherous

We must trust, that no matter the circumstance: God has a purpose for it…God has a route through it…God has it set for His glory and your good

Where are you this morning? What seems insurmountable?

What fear(s) are holding you down or holding you back?

What are you so afraid of, in giving up sin(s) to God, your life(lives) to God