The Life of Moses (10)

God’s leading with Israel was mysterious. Why did He lead them about through the wilderness instead of straight to Canaan? It was His wisdom.

a) They were not prepared to fight the Philistines.

b) He also wanted them to discover their enmity—often they were rebellious against His leadings.

When Pharaoh heard about the strange way the Israelites were taking, he said, “They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.” The Lord told Moses He would harden Pharaoh’s heart and that he would pursue the Israelites. However, the Lord would be honored in Pharaoh, “That the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD.”

Miraculous deliverance

As the Lord had told Moses, Pharaoh did, indeed, pursue the Israelites, and when they saw that Pharaoh marched after them, “they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD.” Israel was fearful, and they not only cried unto the Lord but also accused Moses by saying, “Wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?” What an unthankful people they were. The Lord had clearly shown His power in the plagues, but they seemed to have forgotten this. Now they were closed in on all sides—behind them the Egyptians, mountains and walls beside them, and the water before them. Yes, the Lord would glorify His power in a miraculous way.

Moses prayed, but the Lord told him to act. He would fight for them and they should hold their peace. “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD” (verse 13). It is not easy to stand still, that is, to surrender unconditionally unto the Lord and His leading. However, unconditional obedience is required: “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward” (verse 15b). All Moses had to do was lift up his rod and stretch out his hand over the sea. The Lord would make a path where there was no way. Are there those among us who know of such a way of impossibility, of a miraculous deliverance? The God of Israel, who will manifest His power, has not changed.

A sure deliverance

The Lord takes care of His own honor: “And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten Me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen” (verse 18). The angel of the Lord went behind Israel. The pillar of cloud stood behind them. As a consequence of this, it was darkness to the Egyptians, but light was given to Israel. God Himself would be their Protector, a Shield against all the anger and attacks of Pharaoh. 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 dry land, and the waters were divided.” God’s faithfulness was evident. He would not alter what He had promised. Oh, that His people would not grieve Him more by their unbelief and distrust. When the Egyptians, in the morning of the new day, went into the same path as Israel, the waters returned and Pharaoh and his host were drowned in the Red Sea. This was a just punishment of God, as the marginal notes say, for the Egyptians had thrown the little ones of Israel into the water and drowned them. It must have been fearful for the Israelites to see how God manifested His power in the destruction of their enemies.

God-glorifying deliverance

The children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea, but that same path of deliverance for Israel became a grave to their enemies. What a warning, also for us! We wear the sign and the seal of the Covenant of Grace in holy baptism which speaks of a God-glorifying deliverance. For some, however, it will forever testify against them, while for others, it is the sign and the seal of their deliverance by the blood of Jesus Christ. We may sit under the same preaching, hear about that one way, that only way of salvation, and be urged to flee to Him who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, but what a difference if we perish in unbelief and enmity.

At the shore on the other side of the river were now people delivered by the Almighty power of the Lord. They did not deserve this. They were also stiff-necked and rebellious. The true Israelites must have walked through the path with astonishment, adoration, and worship, but also with shame because of their unbelief. We read in Psalm 106:8-9: “Nevertheless He saved them for His name’s sake, that He might make His mighty power to be known. He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was dried up: so He led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.” God will be glorified in His one-sided, free, and sovereign work. That is the hope, also, for those who must condemn themselves because of their doubting the Lord’s word and promise. Christ is already on the other side of the river. He is on the shore, but one day His entire Church will stand there, and all the Egyptians will be conquered. In chapter 15, we read that the children of Israel sang the song of praises.

Israel was commanded to go forward, but my unconverted friends, you should not go forward in the way that you are traveling; stop and consider where you are going. What are you seeking in life? A high position? A beautiful career? More pleasures? This world passes by and the lusts thereof. Turn yet from your evil way! The end of all God’s enemies is portrayed in these Egyptians. Harden not your heart as Pharaoh did. God’s ordinances, also baptism, will not save you. The same water that was a wall around Israel was a grave for the enemies.

People of God, you still must say, “Draw me, we will run after Thee.” Your way often goes through impossibilities. Why would you be fearful to go the way that God shows you? If God be for us, who will be against us? Ask the Lord for the strengthening of your faith. We read in Hebrews 11:29a, “By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land.” No, God’s true believers will not boast about what they have done. Their deliverance will be God-glorifying. His name and His work alone will be praised.

(To be continued)

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