Fear God

Introduction

The year is 1773 and Britain is ramping up taxes and control over the Americas. The colonials refused to be an extension of parliament, the reason they came to America was to be free from the British Monarchy. So, the Sons of Liberty staged a political and mercantile protest in December of the same year. These Boston residents disguised themselves and boarded a British ship to dump crates of tea into the harbor. On this famous day they declared their intentions to be free from the tyranny of Britain. The Boston Tea Party acted as a symbol for the people of the colonies, taking one step closer to independence.

July 4th is fast approaching. On that day we will celebrate our liberty and freedom as a nation. We look to our flag as the symbol of that independence. We are filled with patriotism as we think of all the blessings we have and those who have sacrificed so much to give us our freedoms. Let us never forget why we have our freedom. Or, maybe I should say, WHO gave us our freedom, God.

Israel learned the same lesson when God liberated them from Egypt. After the death of Joseph, a Pharaoh came to power who did not know who Joseph was, nor what he had done for his nation. This Pharaoh became fearful of the Hebrews and their vast numbers, thinking he would be overthrown. So, he enslaved them. The Hebrew people were slaves for 400 years until they cried out to God and He raised up Moses to liberate them.

God prepared Moses for the task of leading His people. He then displayed His glory through the 10 plagues. Once the 10th plague was complete Pharaoh the Egyptians had more than enough, so he sent the Israelites away. Finally, Israel was free from their captors! However, God had a major lesson He needed to teach His people.

I. The Fear of Bondage (Exodus 13:17-14:12)

A. (13:17-22) God doesn’t do anything halfway

1. He did not leave the Israelites with any strings left in Egypt, He was going to completely free them from that bondage

2. His guidance probably didn’t make sense to them, but soon they would see why He led them the way He did

B. God was going to be honored (receive glory) by His might against the Egyptians and all of Egypt would know for certain that He is the True God (14:1-9)

1. Thus, God hardened (made strong) Pharaoh’s heart (conviction, will)

a. Pharaoh made ready his army and pursued Israel

b. Remember, Israel has no soldiers. All they have done is build bricks and structures (including the Pyramids), while the Egyptians were the dominating world power with a mighty army. Israel stood no chance in a fight.

2. The Egyptians changed their minds in regard to Israel, seeing them as frail and confused

a. They thought, “Why would we let them go? They are wandering aimlessly in circles. Let’s bring them back and make them pay”

b. The Egyptian army went out boldly, with courage, might, and anger

c. Pharaoh chose 600 special chariots along with the rest of his force and placed experienced officers over all of them. The greatest force in the world was coming down upon Israel

C. Israel saw the Egyptians drawing near and became terrified (vs. 10-12)

1. “Why would Moses lead us out into the wilderness just to die? This whole thing was pointless and will end in our destruction. We would have been better off just staying in slavery, the way things were.”

a. Oh how quickly the Israelites forgot that they were in agony and cried out to God for help

b. I suppose you should be careful, if you ask God for help then He will give it to you. Just, not in the way you expect. He will give it in His way, which is always better

2. God brought them out of Egypt, why would He put them through something so scary and difficult?

a. Well, how else would these people learn to trust God?

1. If it were a situation that were easy and they could do it themselves then they wouldn’t need God. The Lord was going to show Egypt and Israel that He is the One who gives victory

2. He was not looking for Israel’s harm, but to liberate them. He gave them the plan and was guiding them, all they had to do was trust God by obeying and following His lead

b. How many times have you stopped to ask, “God, why is this happening to me?”

1. In the moment it may not seem to make sense. Maybe God is trying to teach you an important lesson: Trust and obey Him

2. Believe it or not, He knows what He’s doing. His overarching goal is to help you grow in holiness. Sometimes He may allow hardships to fall on you as an opportunity to turn to God and say, “I can’t, but I know you can. Show me the way I ought to go and give me the courage to follow you.”

II. The Fear of the Lord (14:13-30)

A. Instead of focusing on the problem, Moses told them to focus on God (vs. 13-14)

1. His command was “Don’t fear.” How? 1) Stand firm, 2) Watch the Lord accomplish salvation

2. It was a guarantee: God would save them. All they had to do was keep silent and watch God’s working

B. God laid out His plan for saving Israel (vs. 15-18)

1. The Israelites were to move forward through the Red Sea after Moses stretched out his hand

a. God would part the waters so they could walk on dry ground. Again, God would strengthen (harden) Pharaoh’s will so he would give chase and that would be his downfall

b. All the Israelites had to do was follow God’s instructions and they would be saved.

2. God stood between Egypt and Israel, protecting His people (vs. 19-22)

a. Moses stretched out his hand, as God had commanded, and the Lord caused a strong wind to blow from the east, resulting in the water standing up like a wall on either side with a dry path in the middle

b. The Israelites showed they trusted God by walking through on dry ground. They obeyed and God kept His promise

C. Pharaoh and his army took up the pursuit and charged into the path between the water in the Red Sea (vs. 23-30)

1. God looked down on the Egyptian army through His manifestation and caused confusion amidst the army

a. They began running into each other and were unable to ride in a straight line

b. It got to a point where the soldiers were afraid and called for a retreat, “Let’s flee because God is fighting for Israel”

2. But it was too late, Moses stretched out his hand and God made the waters collapse back down, swallowing up Pharaoh and his army. Officially saving Israel, severing all ties with their captors. They were finally free from bondage

Application/Conclusion

A. The whole experience changed the people of Israel (vs. 31)

1. Instead of fearing Pharaoh they feared God, they believed in (trusted) God and Moses, the Lord’s servant

2. God carries us through the hard times so we can see His power and fear His might instead of others. When we walk by faith, obeying His commands, we see His power working for our benefit instead of against us.

B. Oh what dread there is when seeing God’s power fall upon you

1. Hebrews 10:31 “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

a. A Godly fear should not drive us away from God, terrified of judgment

b. Instead, we recognize that God is Holy and Just, wanting to use His power for us rather than against us

c. Fearing God is putting Him in the highest place of honor/power in your life which causes you to believe in Him and live for Him

2. The church saw God’s judgment on Ananias and Sapphira and it caused fear in them

a. Acts 5:10–11 “Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.”

b. But what was the result? The church was held in high esteem and more people believed and were constantly adding to their numbers

c. Acts 5:13–14 “None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,”

3. Jesus told His disciples to fear God, who has the power to cast people into hell, over man who can merely hurt the body

a. Matthew 10:28 “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

b. However, we are not to stop at terror. A proper fear of God recognizes that we matter to Him far more than sparrows. We are far more valuable. Therefore, if we believe in/pursue God through Christ then we are confessed as belonging to Him

c. Matthew 10:29–32 “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,”

4. The Egyptians feared God while they were in confusion in the Red Sea, but it led to their deaths in judgment

a. The same display of power from God also produced fear in Israel, but it resulted in their belief

b. So what? Recognize God is Holy and fear Him/His power

1. He has the power to punish. But that also means He has the power to save. He raised Jesus from the dead to provide eternal life, what an awesome power God has!

2. Romans 1:16–17 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.””

C. Fearing God means you will put Him in the highest place of honor and live by faith, obeying His commands even when they don’t make sense to you

1. Philippians 2:12–13, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

2. God saved you in Christ and now has given you His Spirit to live in you, empowering you to live a holy life. He gives you the victory over sin and frees you from bondage

3. So, put God first in your life and let your fear/awe of God drive you to believe in Him and obey Him.