Exodus 14:13-14 “But Moses said to the people, ‘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.'”
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| From Cecil B. DeMille’s The Ten Commandments |
Recently while visiting the Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky, I purchased a calendar that highlights an attribute of God every month. This month the attribute is God’s sovereignty. The definition on the calendar is as follows:
God is in complete control of everything; He does all that He pleases. Nothing can frustrate God’s authority over His creation. His purposes will be accomplished. He rules supreme over the progress of history, the events of the present world, and every circumstance in our lives.
When we begin to understand this God-Fact we can experience a peace that is beyond our comprehension. If God is not sovereign than someone else is and that is a scary thought.
The Israelites needed to learn this truth about their God. They had spent 400 years under the tyranny of the Pharaoh of Egypt. Through Moses God had finally freed them from their slavery and would become their new Master. He was different than Pharaoh. He loved them and had their best at heart. The tests that He brought into their lives as He led them through the desert were to show them Who He was and to teach them to trust Him. Never once did He lose control of the circumstances. He knew exactly what He was doing even when the Israelites didn’t.
After leading His children out of Egypt, God did not take them on the short route to the Promised Land. He knew that if they took the direct path they would encounter the Philistines and be discouraged when faced with war.
After camping at Etham by the edge of the wilderness, God told Moses to have Israel turn back. For anyone who may have known the territory this would have been a strange command. It could seem as if God was confused or lost, but He knew exactly what He was doing.
Not only did God want His children to know Him but He also determined to be honored through Pharaoh and all his army. Each step that the Israelites took was lead by Him for His purposes to be accomplished.
In turning back it seemed that the Israelites were trapped between the sea and the approaching Egyptian army. This fledgling nation, which had not yet begun to understand God’s sovereignty and trust in His ability to accomplish His purposes, began to whine and complain. But Moses spoke a word of comfort to the unbelieving people.
“‘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.'”
God’s purpose in having Israel turn back was to create the illusion that they were wandering aimlessly in the wilderness. Pharaoh would be tricked into pursuing them and God would win a complete victory over this hardened man.
As the nation of Israel trembled at the edge of the sea God provided protection for them through the cloud of His presence and opened a way for them to move through the seemingly impossible barrier of the Red Sea. When they had finished their safe passage across on dry ground Phaoah and his army followed suit, but when they were in the middle of the water tunnel the ground became spongy, the chariot wheels became stuck, and the waters fell covering the whole army and destroying them forever.
I am so thankful that God does things His way and not mine. Israel’s first test after leaving Egypt required their full obedience. It was only when there was no place else to turn that God showed His strength and delivered His people. And because I know that I serve the same God Whom Moses served, I know that He also will deliver you and me – maybe not when I want Him to, but nevertheless, just at the right time to achieve His purpose and His glory.
Love,
Mama
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