GNC Fall 2024: Exodus 12:30-31; 14

Introduction:

Content and Explanation: Exodus 12:30-31; 14

Exodus 12:30–31 “Pharaoh arose in the night, he and all his servants and all the Egyptians, and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was no home where there was not someone dead. Then he called for Moses and Aaron at night and said, “Rise up, get out from among my people, both you and the sons of Israel; and go, worship the Lord, as you have said.”

Friends, this is great!

What the Israelites have waited for has come true!

The Lord has proved that He is greater than the nation of Egypt and that He keeps His promises.

But, friends, just as quickly a good circumstances can come, they can also go!

Exodus 14:1–7 “Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Tell the sons of Israel to turn back and camp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea; you shall camp in front of Baal-zephon, opposite it, by the sea. “For Pharaoh will say of the sons of Israel, ‘They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’ “Thus I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” And they did so. When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his servants had a change of heart toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” So he made his chariot ready and took his people with him; and he took six hundred select chariots, and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them.”

Friends, the Lord tells Moses ahead of time what is going to happen - that Pharaoh and his army are going to chase them down!

Sure enough, Pharaoh does go after the Israelites to compel them to come back to Egypt and serve him.

Friends, this looks really bad!

If I knew that the military of another country was after me I’d be really scared.

However, friends, if God told the Israelites what was going to happen then that means that He both knows what’s going to happen and is in charge of what does happen!

You know what, friends, because God is in charge we don’t have to fear the future!

We don’t have to be afraid of getting sick or our dog dying or the when it’s nighttime and time to go to bed.

The Lord is in charge of everything that happens and He’s told us that difficult things do happen because we live in a world that is affected by sin - where people do bad things.

Friends, look at what how the Israelites were tempted when Pharaoh’s army came after them even though they were warned ahead of time that this would happen!

Exodus 14:10–11; 13-14 “As Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the Lord. Then they said to Moses, “Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt? But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. “The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.””

Friends, the Israelites complained!

Friends, even though Pharaoh was pursuing the Israelites, God’s promises to them did not change!

Also, Pharaoh was the one responsible for pursuing the Israelites - and yet the Israelites blamed the Lord!

Just like them, we’re also tempted to complain against God.

Friends, just because you might have to wait in line with your parents for an appointment that keeps you from watching your favorite show in the afternoon does not mean that the Lord is no longer in charge of your life and leading you.

Friends, what we need is exactly how Moses encouraged the people.

Friends, we need to rely on the Lord when we’re tempted to complain.

We need to remember that He is the One in charge of our life.

We need to prayerfully ask for His help to keep from complaining.

We need to ask the Lord to help us to be patient and wait to see how He works even through that circumstance to help us trust Him more.*

Friends, look at what the Lord does next!

Exodus 14:21–27; 30-31 “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land, so the waters were divided. The sons of Israel went through the midst of the sea on the dry land, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. Then the Egyptians took up the pursuit, and all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots and his horsemen went in after them into the midst of the sea. At the morning watch, the Lord looked down on the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud and brought the army of the Egyptians into confusion. He caused their chariot wheels to swerve, and He made them drive with difficulty; so the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from Israel, for the Lord is fighting for them against the Egyptians.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may come back over the Egyptians, over their chariots and their horsemen.” So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal state at daybreak, while the Egyptians were fleeing right into it; then the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. When Israel saw the great power which the Lord had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in His servant Moses.”

Friends, the Lord utterly defeats the Egyptians!

He makes a way through the Red Sea so that the Israelites walk on dry ground!

He sends a pillar of cloud to blind the Egyptians!

When the Egyptians drive their chariots into the Red Sea, their wheels get stuck!

Then, the Lord brings the water crashing down on the Egyptians, destroying the threat that they posed to Israel.

Friends, nothing stops God from keeping His promises!

Friends, if you were to lose your dog, the Lord has comfort for you, He’s the God of all comfort!

Friends, if you’re lonely, the Lord promises that He is with you always!

Friends, as we’ve considered, when things don’t go the way that we expect, we’re tempted to complain.

Friends, we’ve all complained and need the Lord to save us from this and our all of sins.

Friends, if you have believed on the Lord to save you, then you can trust Him through whatever circumstance He is leading you through - loss or sadness.

Scripture Memory - Mark 12:29b “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Mark 12:30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’