LORD Fights for Them

 

LORD Fights for Them

Exodus 14: ²⁴ Now it came to pass, in the morning watch, that the Lord looked down upon the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud, and He troubled the army of the Egyptians. ²⁵ And He took off their chariot wheels, so that they drove them with difficulty; and the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from the face of Israel, for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians.”

 

============

 

After Moses held up his rod, GOD parted the Red Sea. The children of Israel crossed on dry ground. The Egyptians tried to use the same path that GOD was using to protect HIS people. They pursued inside the parted sea only to find that GOD took their wheels off their chariots. They got scared.

 

My Observations:

• GOD saw the evil of the Egyptians.
• GOD fought the Egyptians in a way that was very calculated.
• The Egyptians recognized that it was GOD who was fighting against them.

 

Doing anything evil against the children of GOD was unacceptable to HIM. The pursuit to pull the children of Israel back into slavery was seen by GOD and HE used their positioning against them. HE allowed them to get close enough to the children of Israel before HE took their chariot wheels off.

 

GOD gave the children of Israel enough of a head start that they could cross the Red Sea in safety. But the Egyptians had troubles and decided to flee from their pursuit. They were in the middle of the Sea with broken chariots. They may have remembered the plagues and felt that it was no longer worth trying to fight against the children of Israel. GOD was setting them up for HIS final blow.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about what HE did to the chariots?
• Have you ever been pursued by an enemy or the Enemy?
• Can you rest assured knowing that GOD is fighting the battle you think you need to fight?

Making a Way When it Seemed Impossible

Making a Way When it Seemed Impossible

Exodus 14: ²¹ Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided. ²² So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. ²³ And the Egyptians pursued and went after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.

 

============

 

After the preincarnate JESUS went behind them and the FATHER and HOLY SPIRIT did the same, Moses held up his hand with his rod and the Red Sea parted. GOD caused a wind to part the sea and the children of Israel walked on dry land.

 

My Observations:

• GOD dried up the ground so the children of Israel and their carts and cattle could easily cross.
• The Egyptians saw the Red Sea open and thought they could use GOD’s powerful miracle for their evil plan.
• Moses was obedient to GOD by holding up his rod.

 

The parting of the Red Sea is significant because it shows us that GOD is in control of impossible situations. Whether it was a mountain or a deep sea, GOD can make a way where it seems impossible.

 

Moses holding up his hand was a sign of total alignment with GOD. It was not his power that parted the sea, BUT GOD’s power. GOD made it easy for the children of Israel. HE dried up the ocean floor overnight. I believe GOD can do the same for impossible situations today. HE can change something that seems impossible overnight. GOD’s power is unstoppable!

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about what HE did with the Red Sea?
• Are you facing an impossible situation?
• Do you believe that GOD is in control of the impossible and HE can easily deliver you when you obey HIS plan?

Protective Leadership

Protective Leadership

Exodus 14: ¹⁹ And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them. ²⁰ So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that the one did not come near the other all that night.

 

============

 

Stuck at the Red Sea with no way out, the children of Israel cried out to the LORD for help. The Angel of the LORD moved from leading them to protecting them from the Egyptians.

 

My Observations:

• JESUS was leading the children of Israel and moved behind them to protect them.
• The cloud that contained the FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT, also moved behind them.
• The Egyptians remembered the eerie darkness they experienced during the plagues and refused to sneak through to the children of Israel’s camp.

 

GOD could have easily wiped out the Egyptians in Egypt before they left. BUT HE had another plan. HE was addressing a mindset withing the Egyptians and the children of Israel. The mindset that appalled GOD was that of a human being considered to be a god. HE led the children of Israel to a place where HIS power could be shown.

 

HE had to protect the children of Israel as HE prepared to rescue them in a very memorable way that would be spoken about for centuries. GOD allows you and me to have free will. Unfortunately, free will can be taken too far. GOD had to address the mindset that humans can abuse other humans for their own gain. GOD protected the children of Israel as part of HIS leadership.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS protection?
• Has GOD stood between you and danger before?
• How can you mimic the LORD’s leadership by protecting those HE has given you?

Assurance from GOD

Assurance from GOD

Exodus 14: ¹⁵ And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. ¹⁶ But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. ¹⁷ And I indeed will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them. So I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, his chariots, and his horsemen. ¹⁸ Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gained honor for Myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”

 

============

 

Seeing the Egyptian army pursuing them, the children of Israel cried out to the LORD in fear. GOD spoke to Moses and said what HE would do.

 

My Observations:

• GOD knew the people were scared and did not scold them for it.
• GOD asks Moses a leadership building question to grow him beyond fear.
• GOD told Moses what HE was about to do through him.

 

“Lift up your rod” is symbolic for what GOD was going to do. GOD was raising Moses up to continue to be their leader. GOD would part the sea, but HE wanted the people to witness a human holding up a rod so they would believe that HE listens to Moses.

 

GOD also wanted the Egyptians to believe there is no other GOD. HE promised that after this encounter with HIM, the Egyptians would no longer be a threat. No military force can withstand GOD. The Egyptian hearts would solidify in thinking they could defeat GOD’s people. GOD reassured HIS people by telling them what HE would do.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS conversation with him concerning HIS promise?
• Has GOD made you a promise that needs reassurance?
• Will you ask GOD for reassurance, knowing HE does not mind if you are afraid right now?