One of God's Saving Acts: The Crossing of the Red Sea--Part I

We now come to that point in the account of Exodus 1:1-15:21 in which the biblical narrator relates the story of the crossing of the Israelites from Egypt into the wilderness through the Red Sea--Exodus 13:17-15:21. Spiritual truths are abundant here, so we will divide this into three parts.

Exodus 13:17-14:18 describes three scenes in this divine drama.

1. God commanded the Israelites not to go north by way of the land of the Philistines, but go south. So they went from Rameses to Succoth, then to Etham. Then the Israelites reversed their journey and went north again in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the Red Sea, in front of Baal-zephon. All the way, they were carrying the bones of Egypt who had required a solemn oath of the Israelites, saying, "God will surely take notice of you, and then you must carry my bones with you from here." [See Genesis 50:24-26]. Yahweh went in front of the Israelites in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to lead them along the way and travel day and night. Pharaoh saw this, and concluded that the Israelites were "wandering aimlessly." So Pharaoh amassed together a large army of horses and chariots with their drivers, and started off to pursue and re-conquer or destroy the Israelites. 13:17-14:9.

2. When the Israelites saw Pharaoh and the Egyptians coming after them, they became very fearful, and uttered their FIRST COMPLAINT of the Israelites at the beginning of the exodus and ensuing wilderness wanderings. They said to Moses: "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us, bringing us out of Egypt? Is this not the very thing we told you in Egypt, 'Let us alone and let us serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness." (Exodus 14:11-12). But Moses encouraged the people not to fear, but see the deliverance of God, for the Lord will fight for you. 14:10-14. In times of crisis, it is tempting to "cave in" to the pressures tumbling down on our hearts and our lives, just as the Israelites did when the Egyptians rushed down against them. In times like this, we must trust in God, and realize that he will fight for us and deliver us from our troubles.

3. Yahweh assures Moses to tell the Israelites to GO FORWARD. By God's power, lift up your staff, stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the Israelites will go through the Sea on dry ground. Thus, Yahweh will gain glory for himself over Pharaoh and the Egyptians, and the Egyptians will know that Yahweh alone is God. Exodus 14:15-18.

Throughout history, significant events occur. One of these is the exodus from Egypt, the crossing of the Israelites through the Red Sea. THIS event is memorable, inspiring, challenging, and motivating. There are many important truths we can learn from this. Here are a few.

How does this story strike you? What lessons from this would you share for others? Let me hear from you.

John Willis