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

Let us now continue our story about the crossing of the Red Sea, examining Exodus 14:19-31.

Three important scene appear in this section of the story.

1. The angel of God intervened between the Israelites and the invading Egyptians to protect the Israelites by means of the pillar of cloud. 14:19-20. Dangers often encroach on God's people, but there are angels present to protect us in difficult times. This event should encourage us.

2. At God's command, Moses "stretched out his hand" TWICE in dealing with the Egyptians. First, Yahweh drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land so the Israelites could walk through safely on the other side of the sea. 14:21. Second, at dawn, Yahweh caused the sea to return to its normal depth, killing the Egyptians pursuing against the Israelites in the midst of the sea. 14:26-29.

As a "side note," 14:21 states that Yahweh did not "part" the Red Sea in a "flash," at a "moment." He could have done this, in my opinion. But the Bible says that God did this by sending a "strong east wind" and spent "all night" slowly but surely parting the sea. Exodus 10:13 says Yahweh sent a "strong east wind" to bring the locust plague into Egypt, then a "strong west wind" to drive them away in Exodus 10:19. God can use "wind" to accomplish his purposes. An Egyptian journalist that night might have reported: "You would never believe what happened at the sea. A terrible wind blew and parted the water, and the Israelites crossed over on dry land. Then, the wind subsided and the pursuing Egyptians got trapped in the sea and drowned." You know, things happen in life which we assume are "natural phenomena." That may be true part of the time. BUT, is it possible that God works in such ways sometimes?

3. The biblical composer gives a brief summary of the crossing over of the sea.
Exodus 14:30-31.
a. Yahweh "saved" the Israelites from the Egyptians. God is a great savior, a great deliverer. God can "save" us from all our problems.
b. The Israelites "saw" "the GREAT WORK that the Lord did against the Egyptians." When people "see" God at work, we need to tell others what we have experienced God do. This is what the early apostles did when they "saw" Jesus teach and act.
c. The people of Israel "feared" the Lord. I do not believe this mean they were "scared to death" of God. Rather, they held God in the highest regard. They revered God. They esteemed him with the most exalted respect. Our hearts should feel this way about God at all times.
d. The people of Israel "believed in" the Lord and in Moses. When God does something, the natural response is to gain confidence or trust in God.

How does this story strike you? Does it increase your trust in God? Share these ideas with your friends and your church. Give me your ideas.

John Willis