(Did you miss Part One? Check it out here!)
In Part One of this two-part post, we looked at the beginning of Exodus 14. We saw how God called the Israelites forward, even though there wasn’t a way forward. In this post, we’ll look at how God provided a way, and how He still does that for His children. We’ll jump right into Exodus 14:19…
The Account: Part 2
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. 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.
Exodus 14:19-20 NKJV
The Angel of the LORD, who went before them in the cloud of smoke, moved to behind them to separate the Egyptians and the Israelites. Most believe that this reference is actually an Old Testament Christophany. A Christophany is an appearance of Jesus. This is Jesus! Jesus was with them. Even though they felt trapped and hopeless, Jesus was there with them in the valley, fighting for them, protecting them.
Do you know how many verses there are in the Bible that talk about God’s protections? Almost too many to count. Here’s an example of a few:
- Psalm 5:11: “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”
- Psalm 46:11: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
- Psalm 57:1: “Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.”
- John 10:28-30: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”
- 2 Thessalonians 3:3: “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you against the evil one.”
Like I said, this is just a few. The Psalms are full of verses just like these about God as a refuge, a protector. Jesus protects us. He is with us in the valleys, just as we see Him here with the Israelites.
There’s another thing we need to address before we bring it all together. Verse 20 goes on to say that this pillar of cloud gave light to the Israelites, but it was darkness to the Egyptians. Isn’t that amazing? Jesus says that He is the Light of the World, but in John 1 we are told that men reject that light. 1 Corinthians 1:18 says:
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
It is a fog of confusion to the unbelieving world. The Egyptians were thrown into a fog of confusion. But for the Israelites, God’s children, this pillar was light. What a cool picture of Jesus and the Gospel.
Okay, here it is: the moment we’ve been waiting for. It’s the climax and grand finale of the Israelites’ exit of Egypt. Here they are, trapped at water’s edge with nowhere to turn. Suddenly, Moses raises his hand over the sea.
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.
Exodus 14:21-22 NKJV
I love how future passages reference back to this epic moment in history. Psalm 77 is one such passage which gives us greater detail. This passage indicates that there was actually a huge storm that took place. There was lightning and thundering and whirlwinds. And yet the Israelites walked in safety on dry land. But when the Egyptians pursued them, their chariot wheels were clogged up or bound…the NKJV says that they were even removed. I thought, what a cool picture of a Believer`s walk vs non-believer.
- Psalm 17:5 says, “Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip.”
- Proverbs 3:23 and 26 say: “Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble.” And: “For the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.”
- Psalm 121:1-3 says: “I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes by help? My help comes from the LORD, who made the heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.”
- 1 Samuel 2:9: “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail.”
- In John 11:9-10 Jesus tells His disciples: “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if one walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in Him.” And back in John 8:12, Jesus says, “I am the Light of the World. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
The Egyptians walked in the darkness, and they were swallowed by the sea. The Israelites walked in the Light, and their path was set before them. They did not stumble, but they walked forward in confidence. Can you imagine? The storm raging around you, walls of water on either side (which could have been 10 feet or more tall)! But the dry land under your feet. The safe path down which God led you.
Imagine how they felt to see the shoreline. Imagine stepping out into the sunrise. And once everyone was safely across, imagine watching Moses put up his hand. Then, just like that, the wind ceased and the waters fell back into their place.
And a hush goes over the crowd of 2 million people. Imagine the silence, the awe and wonder, as they realized that God delivered them, He brought them safely through.
So the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Thus Israel saw the great work which the Lord had done in Egypt; so the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord and His servant Moses.
Exodus 14:30-31 NKJV
The Application: Part 2
It’s hard to go forward sometimes…especially when it doesn’t seem clear what forward means. But when God tells us to go forward, it’s not because He wants us to drown. He’s asking us to step out in faith, to trust Him to get us through. He will direct our steps, He will show us our path. Ladies, we don’t have to fear the storms or the darkness that surround us. We have the Light, and He will show us the way. He’s fighting for us, protecting us.
I know what it’s like to feel trapped, stuck, wondering why the Lord brought me this far just to leave me at a dead end. But it’s not the end, ladies. We are not going to have perfect walks. There will be struggles, difficulties. We aren’t promised that we will be spared from those things, but we are promised that Jesus will be with us through them.
He’s even with us when we can be stinkers, like the Israelites. God knows the hearts of his people. He knew that the Israelites weren’t ready the face the Philistines yet (although they would in the future),that’s why he brought them by way of the Red Sea. He also knew that they were forgetful. After all he had done for them in Egypt, all His wonders and miracles, not a week into their journey, they forgot His goodness and faithfulness. As we’ll see in the coming weeks, He used their years in the desert to teach them about His Providence. And to prepare them for those battles they would have to face.
We don’t always know all the reasons God leads us down certain paths, if it’s to protect us from Philistines (metaphorically speaking) or just simply to deepen our walk and our trust. But we can be sure of His character. We can be sure that He wants the best for us, even if it isn’t always comfortable. We can be sure that we can trust Him, that He is faithful. We can be sure of what He tells us in this Book. We can be sure that He loves us, that He wants to be near us, to grow a deeper relationship with us. That He’ll never leave us. That He is our Light. That He will make our paths straight. So ladies, wherever you find yourself in life, in your walk with the Lord, let’s go forward with Him. Yeah? Let’s pray.
Dear Father, we are so thankful for your goodness. For your unending faithfulness. For your steadfast love. Thank you for being with us always. Thank you for the course changes you take us on, even when we don’t understand. Lord, help us to go forward even when it’s intimidating or scary. Thank you that we can know the way with You, that You will keep our feet from stumbling. We love you, Lord. Take us deeper, help us to trust You in all things. Go before us, Lord, as our pillar of Light. We ask these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thank you for joining me today! Let me know your thoughts in the comments. And here’s the link again in case you missed Part One of this post.
As always, God bless you and your homes!
With Love,
Morgan
