The account of Moses and the Crossing of the Red Sea. One of the most iconic Old Testament stories, and one I have personally read through dozens of times.
Israel flees Egypt. Egypt chases after them. Israel hits the sea shore. Israel begins to complain to Moses. Moses splits the sea. Israel crosses undamaged. Egypt not so much.
THE END.
Or is it?
The account of Moses and the Crossing of the Red Sea has little impact on our lives if we only allow it to be a good moral story of trust and obedience.
So join me as we take a closer (and more personal) look into this powerful scene in God's Redemptive Story.
By the time the exodus takes place, Israel had been living in Egypt for more than 400 years. They were enslaved by the Egyptians and mistreated for the majority of their time there.
But Israel belongs to the Lord. They are His chosen people. They are the apple of His eye.
So He frees them.
And they leave Egypt. For good.
But Egypt goes chasing after them, and the Israelites hit the Red Sea. They're trapped, with no way out, and are as good as dead, right?
Read what happens next (Exodus 14:13-14, ESV):
"Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today... The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent."
The NIV says: "and you have only to be still."
The NIV says: "and you have only to be still."
Then for the remainder of the chapter we see the Israelites stand on the sidelines and watch the Lord do battle for them--
- The angel of God... withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved... behind them (v. 19)
- The Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land (v. 21)
- The Lord looked down... at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion (v. 24)
- He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving (v. 25)
- The Lord swept them into the sea (v. 27).
- Not one of them survived (v. 28)
... not one of them survived.
What is your Red Sea? That seemingly impossible situation that the Lord has led you to and are convinced is going to kill you?
That marriage that is hard to stay in, or that spouse that is difficult to love.
That career you've had to give up, or that new job you've had to take.
That leadership position you've been asked to take, or that ministry you are now seeing crumble before you.
That diagnosis you've been given, or that pain someone has inflicted on you.
That loneliness you feel, or that anxiety you have.
That elderly loved one you've been given to care for, or those young children you've been entrusted to raise.
That special needs child you are a parent to, or that barren womb that crushes you every month.
Do we truly believe that as we face the Red Seas of our lives, that the Lord will do battle for us, and we have only to be silent?
That like Moses, the only thing we need to do is "stretch out our hands" (v. 21). To do the simple things we've been asked to do, one step after the other, one foot in front of the other, one yes at a time.
That even in the midst of all our doubt and fear and grumbling, to just obey, to just do it, to face the Red Sea, to stretch out our hands, and allow the Lord to do battle for us.
And not be surprised when the Lord makes us victorious.
What is your Red Sea? That seemingly impossible situation that the Lord has led you to and are convinced is going to kill you?
That marriage that is hard to stay in, or that spouse that is difficult to love.
That career you've had to give up, or that new job you've had to take.
That leadership position you've been asked to take, or that ministry you are now seeing crumble before you.
That diagnosis you've been given, or that pain someone has inflicted on you.
That loneliness you feel, or that anxiety you have.
That elderly loved one you've been given to care for, or those young children you've been entrusted to raise.
That special needs child you are a parent to, or that barren womb that crushes you every month.
Do we truly believe that as we face the Red Seas of our lives, that the Lord will do battle for us, and we have only to be silent?
That like Moses, the only thing we need to do is "stretch out our hands" (v. 21). To do the simple things we've been asked to do, one step after the other, one foot in front of the other, one yes at a time.
That even in the midst of all our doubt and fear and grumbling, to just obey, to just do it, to face the Red Sea, to stretch out our hands, and allow the Lord to do battle for us.
And not be surprised when the Lord makes us victorious.
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