Our reading today takes us through chapters 13, 14, and 15 where we read of the deliverance of the Israelites from the hand of Pharoah and the Egyptians.
Chapter 13 –
Since God had destroyed the firstborn males of all the Egyptians and spared the firstborn of Israel, He declared that Israel were to consecrate or dedicate to Him their own firstborn. When theyarrived in the land of the Canaanites every firstborn was to be presented to the Lord. This became a teaching moment for the parents to teach their children about their deliverance.
Important to note the path that God took them on toward the Red Sea. If they had gone in a different direction, it would have been toward Philistine which would have meant a battle they were not ready for at this time. He led them along the road to the wilderness and to the Red Sea.
Chapter 14 –
At this point, the Lord had Moses’ change direction of the Israelites (14:1-2). He did this so Pharoah would hear of it and become convinced that they were wandering around the land in confusion. God’s judgement was not yet complete on Egypt, one more time Pharaoh’s heart would be hardened.
He acted as God knew he would and he regretted allowing the “worker” to leave Egypt. He garners six hundred chariots and sped after them. Israel sees them coming and is immediately terrified of the sight and cries out for God’s help. They were in a dilemma. Often God uses a dilemma to show us who He is. They even start murmuring they would be better of back under bondage making bricks sound ungrateful to you.
Moses to their recue through God. Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation…The Lord will fight for you; you must be quiet. God did not give Israel a plan of attack only said to them “see His salvation.” They needed to turn from fear and see the Lord will fight for them.
God instructs Moses to extend his staff over the Red Sea and when he does the sea is parted and dry ground appears before their eyes. An escape route has been placed before them. Do we look for unexpected miracles in our lives?
As the Egyptians begin to pursue God threw them into confusion and caused their wheels to swerve. They realized that God was fighting for His people and tried to get away but to no avail. God tells Moses to stretch his hand over the sea and the waters come together. Not one Egyptian survives. Pharoah who defied the Lord is now dead.
Chapter 15 –
As a result of being delivered they begin to sing praise to God who delivered them. God has shattered their enemy as well as His enemy. The gods of Egypt had proven to be powerless against our mighty God.
The final verses of the song look to the future God will lead the people He has redeemed. Miriam the first prophetess identified in the Bible leads the women in celebration of their freedom.
Three days travel and they’re grumbling again. No water a necessity in the wilderness, but in spite of the bitter water God once again comes to their rescue. Despair struck them and God delivers. God instructed Moses to throw a tree … into the water and as a result it becomes drinkable. WE would expect the Israelites had learned God would deliver them after crossing the Red Sea but three days alter they have forgotten what he could do.
After the test, God explained a statue for the Israelites. If you carefully obey the Lord your God…I will not inflict any illnesses on you that I inflicted on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.
God then directs them to an oasis of water where twelve springs of water flowed and seventy date palms grew. He was constantly with them.
Asbury United Methodist Church 