Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: "...; you shall camp ... by the sea.... Then I will harden Pharaoh's heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD." ... (Exodus 14:1-4, NKJV)



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. 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. And the Egyptians pursued and went after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. (Exodus 14:21-23, NKJV)

And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and when the morning appeared, the sea returned to its full depth, while the Egyptians were fleeing into it. So the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. Then the waters returned and covered the chariots, the horsemen, and all the army of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them. Not so much as one of them remained. (Exodus 14:27-28, NKJV)

After spending forty years in the land of Midian, Moses was finally ready to begin the ministry that had been previously revealed to him. In place of the arrogant man, who had attempted to fulfill what he believed was the Lord's will in his own power, stood a man who was more humble than any other on the face of earth (Numbers 12:3), a man who was now very timid and insecure (Exodus 4:10-17). Yet Moses was called to a position of power, authority, and confrontation (2 Corinthians 12:9).

After delivering the Israelites out of Egypt after the death of the Egyptian firstborn, the Lord led Moses and the nation of Israel to the edge of the Red Sea. Militarily, this was a very weak and totally indefensible position that left the people boxed in on three sides. Pharaoh, sensing a situation he could easily take advantage of, pursued the nation of Israel with all his military might, intending to slaughter the virtually unarmed and militarily inexperienced nation as an act of revenge. However, Pharaoh failed to take into account the power and authority of the Lord God.

When Pharaoh and his overwhelming military force caught up to Israel, the Lord intervened, stood between Pharaoh's army and His chosen people, and parted the Red Sea (Exodus 14:13-22). The Israelites fled through the parted waters, and the Lord later allowed Pharaoh's army to pursue them into same parted waters, but the Lord hindered their horses and chariots, and ultimately drowned the entire army (Exodus 14:23-31). So complete was the destruction of the Egyptian army, that Moses Miriam and the nation of Israel broke into songs of rejoicing (Exodus 15:1-21). The waters that had become the path of deliverance for Israel was also a trap for the Egyptians.

So what does this incident teach us about faith? First, those who truly follow the Lord in faith will sometimes be led by the Lord Himself into seemingly impossible situations. These are not meant for our demise, but rather for our development and the humiliation of the Enemy (Romans 8:35-39, 9:17 James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:6-9). Second, the Lord delights in demonstrating his strength on behalf of those who love and trust him (2 Chronicles 16:9ab). Third, there is no reason to fear when following the Lord in Faith (1 John 4:17-19). Fourth, salvation from the Lord brings unbridled rejoicing (Nehemiah 8:10d, Philippians 4:4).

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV)

Copyright (c) 2008 Jon Straumfjord