Wednesdays in the Word

What the Red Sea Means for Us

Pharaoh let the Israelites go on the 430th year anniversary (to the day) of their being in Egypt. -Only God could plan such an exodus and make it that timely! Ex. 12:41

I love that "the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night." In other words, He gave them light so that they would be able to travel around the clock!

The Israelites may have left in a hurry but they weren't fleeing in fear. "The children of Israel went out with boldness." Ex. 14:8

Then Pharoah decides to pursue them with "all the chariots of Egypt." v.7 We know that he had more than 600 but it doesn't say how many more.

"When Pharoah (and his army with chariots) drew near" the Israelites FREAKED OUT and for good reason. There was a sea in front of them and an army behind them.

HERE is some good advice in every situation:

"Do not be afraid. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord..." v. 13
"The Lord will fight for you and you shall hold your peace." v. 14  -In other words, 'Be quiet.' : )
(may I remember that last part)

They had to decide whether to turn and fight or move forward toward the sea and trust in God. And God said "Tell the children of Israel to move forward." v. 15 (so I'm pretty sure no one gave any thought to the turn and fight option)

MY FAVORITE part comes next. The Angel of God moves positions!
"The Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them;"
So literally, God had their back! : )

The cloud stood between the Israelites and the Egyptians. And it served two different purposes. To the Egyptians it "was a cloud and darkness" and to Israel "it gave light."
It was also an awesome divider "so that the one did not come near the other all that night."

That was very helpful while all through the night an east wind blew "and made the sea into dry land and the waters were divided." And since Israel had the illumination of their side of the cloud, they got moving during the night through the 'dry' part of the sea. I never realized this took place at night before! But I haven't watched Charlton Heston part it in years. ; )

The Egyptians raced in after them as soon as they could see and then "Moses stretched out his hand over the sea and when morning appeared, the sea returned to its full depth while the Egyptians were fleeing into it." v. 27
"So the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. Not so much as one of them remained." v. 28
"Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore." v. 30
"Israel saw the great work which the Lord had done in Egypt. So the people feared the Lord and believed the Lord..."(love that part) v. 31

Dear Friends,
All of that to say, remember that we are just as protected! Whatever the 'army' is that is coming against our lives and whatever the impossible situation of the 'sea' that may be looming in the distance,
know that the same God protects us.
And He doesn't have to move positions anymore.
He's got us on ALL SIDES!

"The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him and He delivers them. 
Oh taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him." 
Psalm 34:7-9

Amen!
"If God is for us, who can be against us?" Rom. 8:31 : )

Blessings,
~Becky