Introduction
Being surrounded can be a frightful experience. Women know this and thus avoid walking in certain foot paths in the dark. I’ve had a few experiences of such surround at Macquarie Uni or in Brooklyn New York that are emblazed on my memory. I remember being in Brisbane’s southern suburbs on my way to Bayside where I was being housed. One evening was destined for soggy lethargy. Over 40 degrees (Celsius) and massive humidity. Except that I had to preach in Algester at an Anglican church. As the service concluded, it happened. A massive cold front came up from the south bringing such sparks of lightning that the sky was literally full of splendour. It matched and surpassed the beauty of the fireworks on Australia Day in Sydney this year. Standing in the doorway of the church, as I was ready to exit, gear in hand, I dared not move as the torrent of rain and wind had blown in severely. But I did.
I had to drive the 40 kilometres back to Bayside. Just as I got into the car a mate rang me on the mobile. He had left about 10 minutes earlier and wanted to advise me of the weather and road conditions. It was beyond treacherous, he said. Trees were down, and lights were out in many nearby areas. Did I feel confident he wondered? I assured him I was ok.
What I saw next was absolutely glorious and frightful. I was surrounded. Behind me was wind and rain. The rain flew almost horizontally. Ahead of me on the road were indeed many fallen limbs and branches. Darkness lay like a couching lion on both sides. It was eerie. Lights on the road were off.
And all the while, lightning crackled loud and increased in volume. Such sights and sounds are powerful and a bit intimidating, perhaps more so in unfamiliar territory.
In today’s story in the book of Exodus, we see the Jewish people, recently delivered from slavery in a similar situation. How they would react and how God would continue to be their strength is our focus today.
God closes in on Israel (.1-9)
It looks like Pharaoh is his typical schizophrenic self in his alarm at Israel’s departure. Wait a minute, Pharaoh, you sent us out! The exile was our prayer but your idea. Now he realizes that the departure of the Jews would impact his country. Financially, of course. There go 300,000 able-bodied slave men and another 300,000 oldies that would still have some years left in them. Who would get rid of such a work force?
Pharaoh goes after the Hebrews. He chooses his top-ranking officials and hundreds of chariots and their riders, and they go on a military strike. You must see this as if the Ukrainian strike force were going after the Russians. The powerful country of the day was Egypt and here they go on military sorties to chase down the Jews.
And when they found us, where were we, and what were we doing? We were camping. Our caravan was in the back, and we were making lunch and relaxing with our mates. Camping by the sea…what a pleasure this must have been for former slaves, eh?
But remember that much of what happened in the history of Israel viz. a viz. the erring foreign countries near them, was to get Israel right before God. As the Egyptians are pounding their way across the desert, they find a relaxed Israel. What a new people they must be. But all the while storm clouds are building up in their rear guard.
Complaining: is it an answer?
My sister quotes Jackie Mason who says that a Jew is born to kvetch. I don’t know what Bible they are reading, but I do know our experience is not too far off. And complaining doesn’t ever really help us that much. Even though I had plenty of reason for kvetching on that Brisbane Sunday in that heat. Oy.
I’m reminded of the story of the American cowboy who was driving down a dirt road, his dog riding in back of the ute, his faithful horse in the trailer behind. He failed to negotiate a curve and had a terrible accident.
Sometime later, a highway patrol officer came on the scene. An animal lover, he saw the horse first. Realizing the serious nature of its injuries, he drew his service revolver and put the animal out of his misery. He walked around the accident and found the dog, also hurt critically. He couldn't bear to hear it whine in pain, so he ended the dog's suffering as well.
Finally he located the cowboy --who suffered multiple fractures--off in the weeds. "Hey, are you okay?" the cop asked. The cowboy took one look at the smoking revolver in the trooper's hand and quickly replied, "Never felt better!"
Of course Mark Twain wrote, “Don't complain and talk about all your problems--80 percent of people don't care; the other 20 percent will think you deserve them.“
I don’t think it was Twain, but it surely sounds like him in this axiom, “You will find that, as a rule, those who complain about the way the ball bounces are usually the ones who dropped it. “
Although I think my favourite complaint story is Catholic. And takes place in a monastery.
A monk joined a monastery and took a vow of silence. Once every ten years, the monks are allowed two words to speak. After the first 10 years his superior called him in and asked, "Do you have anything to say?" The monk replied, "Food bad." After another 10 years the monk again had opportunity to voice his thoughts. He said, "Bed hard." Another 10 years went by and again he was called in before his superior. When asked if he had anything to say, he responded, "I quit." "It doesn't surprise me a bit. You've done nothing but complain ever since you got here."
Listen, I know I’m stepping out of culture at this point, but my personal view is that kvetching doesn’t do much but make you look bad in front of others. One of my personal goals is to complain less this year and to see things from God’s point of view.
Frightened Israel’s four–fold reactions
So here are the Jewish people outside the Red Sea and the enemy is furiously chasing them.
They are alerted to the situation in verse 10. They lifted their eyes and behold! They saw the Egyptians and become terrorized. They yelled at Moses, why did you bring us out? We were ok in Egypt, they allege. What historical revisionism. Who are they kidding? Mostly themselves. So, to this, Moses has an answer. Actually four answers in one two-verse statement.
So what are the four reactions?
1) Let’s dive into the Red Sea and drown ourselves
2) Let’s go back to Egypt
3) Let’s fight the Egyptians right here and right now
4) Let’s pray, with great energy and fear
Now there’s nothing wrong with traveling to Egypt or with fighting your enemies. There’s of course, nothing wrong with praying or going for a swim. What is wrong and what Moses rebukes in the people is their fear.
How do we know the reactions? Listen to the rebuke in verses 13 and 14.
“Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.”
Moses rebukes the children of Israel for the 4 reactions. To the divers he says, “Do not fear.” To the returnees, he says, “the Egyptians… you will never see them again.” To the fighters, he says, “The Lord will fight for you.” And to the pray-ers, he says, “keep silent.”
At that point the angel of God and the cloud that had led the Jewish people took a pass over the top of the former slaves. As if they needed anything more to traumatize them. But what is for some fearful is for others a sign of God’s presence. And the assurance of God’s presence is both a comfort to those who do well and a rebuke to those who grumble and sin.
The two camps were at bay all night. And each pondered their leader’s faith and courage.
The actual crossing
All night the people waited, then Moses raised his staff and the sea turned dry. The people begin to cross, and I’m going to bet some in the rear are pushing a little, to get away from both the new cloud and the old crowd.
How awesome is our God who dries the seas to get us where He is leading. Nothing stands between God and His will for His people. He will make a way, when it seems there is no way, says the new hymn. Or as Isaiah wrote
“Thus says the LORD, Who makes a way through the sea and a path through the mighty waters” (43.16)
Solomon taught in the Proverbs:
“But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.” (4.18)
Throughout history the crossing of the Red Sea has been a signature of the Almighty and an image of His continual leading of His people. If He did it then, when there was no way out, He will do it again for you, His people today, amen?
Paul the apostle in the Newer Testament uses this scene to teach about our unity in Messiah. In 1 Corinthians chapter 10, he writes,
‘For we were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea” The unity of the Body of Messiah is founded on similar experiences of the Lord, so as Israel was baptized in a way in both the cloud (as it passed from front to back) and in the sea (as the walls were held back by God’s hand), so our baptism in Messiah unites all believers.
How good is God to use something so historic to teach us about Himself today.
All people will know
The Scripture is clear that God wants Israel to know Him, and that He wants all people to know Him as well. We will see this highlighted in chapter 19 of Exodus, even as we saw it in chapter 12 of Genesis.
God wants all Egypt to know. Not just Pharaoh, not just his leaders, not just the magicians, but all people to know…that He is God. And if they continue to resist him, as He has done 10 times over in the Mighty Acts or Plagues, penalties will accrue. So here we see it again. The horsemen go after the Jewish people
Remember I said that God wanted to continue to convince Israel of who He was as well? See the end of the chapter, verse 31. The people believed, said Amen, to God and to Moses His servant. Painted into a corner, fiery and smoky cloud all before and then over and then after them… the chariots, the sea, the anger, the fear, the situation overnight…and then God. All nations will know He is God, and it has to start with the Jewish people. He called us particularly and He longs for our relationship.
Then the Egyptians did again find out that the Lord of the Jewish people is the God of all peoples. And the Jewish people again saw the hand of God. They walked on dry ground with walls of water on right and left. [The rabbis say that there were 12 alleys, one for each tribe, but of course, that’s not in the text of the Bible]. Their salvation from Pharaoh is now complete.
Historical and current
The Red Sea was just another ordinary body of water. It was deep enough to drown the Egyptians. Many scientists try to explain away the miracle of the Red Sea crossing by saying Moses knew when the winds would be blowing or the seasons, etc. Similarly many people try to explain away the dramatic conclusions of the life of Yeshua. They say he died, and was buried. No big deal. He was just an ordinary man.
But in this ordinary body of water, God did the extraordinary. And in this ordinary man, God did the extraordinary.
Look scientists can have a go at the biblical account, but what they miss is the phrase, “dry ground.”
The Israelites walked in the midst of the sea, on dry ground. That’s why Moses says “That day God saved Israel” It wasn’t Moses knowing the tides; it was the living God.
And God’s purpose in doing miracles is the personal relationship He longs for in all people. No Egyptian should miss it. No Jew should miss Him. No one should be left out of the joy of knowing the living God.
And how is that accomplished, that is, how do we come to know God? We repent of our sins and accept the death of the Messiah as a substitute for us. That’s how awesome and spectacular and simple it is.
So: What lessons do we learn from today's teaching?
1) Nothing can successfully stand against God’s plans
2) Complaining may be a momentary comfort to our soul, but usually has no long-lasting benefit
3) God wants to be in personal relationship with each of us, Jew and Gentile.
4) One man’s fear is another man’s splendour. How we view God’s deeds determines our viewpoint. In other words, see things from God’s point of view and you will enjoy life that much better.
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