July 4, 2024
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Exodus and Romans? Here’s today’s reading:
Exodus 14 (NIV)
1 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2“Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon. 3 Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’……Continue Reading
Exodus 13
The Lord revealed His power when He saved the Israelites in such a spectacular way!
God led Israel not by a direct route to the promised land; but by way of the wilderness to the Red Sea. It says in this chapter that God did this so that Israel wouldn`t turn back to Egypt the first time that they saw war. Moses was God`s spokesman and God spoke to him directly. God`s evidence of His care and protection for Israel are the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire. God had Israel encamp by the Red Sea waiting for Pharoah and his army. This was to show His great power to Israel and the surrounding nations. For the fear of God, and to show that only He is the real God. He is God and their is none like Him. Then Moses by God`s command lifts his rod over the Red Sea. Nothing is impossible for God. Moses statement in verse 13: { Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will shew to you today; for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today; ye shall see them again no more forever.} God divides the Red Sea into two high walls. Israel walks on dry ground in between the two walls of water and God allows them all to be safe. But as soon as the Egyptian army started to cross; God released the water upon them and they were all destroyed. The Red Sea was returned to it`s original state. There is evidence of this in history. There are markers of stone that were left there to always remember this event. Also there is evidence of chariots stuck in mud. When it comes to these events; I always picture Charlton Heston in the movie The Ten Commandments. I was a teenager when it came out in 1966. As a thirteen year old it had a huge impact on me. God is the same God that He was in the time of Moses. Our God is an awesome God!
Exodus 14 The Lord showed his great power when he opened up the sea to let the Israelites through. He showed the love that he has for his people. We have to remember how God can open up a way for us when we are caught up in our problems and finding it hard to see a way out, he’s our way out.
What can you say about a chapter like this other than what an awesome God we serve!! I mean the scope and detail of this escape is truly amazing! From the use of the cloud for distraction, the technical difficulties of the army, and of course the parting and closing of an enormous sea. It makes it hard to look at any battle or struggle we face and think God can’t handle this one, doesn’t it!
”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. 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.”“
Exodus 14:24-25 NKJV
I think this is humorous. God “troubles” the Egyptians by taking off their chariot wheels. Makes me think of Psalm 20:7 – ”Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.“
Psalm 20:7 KJV
Exodus 14
Exodus 14
How easy it is for us to resort to fear and complaining when we don’t see God moving in the way that we expect or we face things that overwhelm us. But how comforting to know that what overwhelms us never overwhelms God. And boy will the Israelites see that their fear was unwarranted. And as is typical, God was creating the scenario that caused their fear, just to show them what He could do to save them as well as put the Egyptians in their place one last time. May we live in the faith that allows God to work out His plan in our lives for His glory and our benefit. And we can stand back and see God work. It may not be in parting the Red Sea, and it may not happen instantly, but the testimony of God’s people points to His faithful moving in the way that was ultimately best. And if we do not recognize that on this side of glory, we will see it when we are confronted by His glory.
And how amazing was it for the people to walk on dry land after the sea is parted while the Egyptians get stuck. How neat it would be to see the wall of water on each side and just walk right through….
13Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
Exodus 14
Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.