Title Stand still and see / Exodus 14
1. “Turn around and pitch your tent by the sea” (1-9)
After the Exodus, the Israelites went through Succoth to Etham instead of heading east. Because God had led them "round by the way of the wilderness" (13:18). God now made them "to turn back and encamp over the sea" again, and eventually the Israelites were "entangled in the land and locked up in the wilderness". the wilderness has shut them in). They were trapped in the last valley of the Nile in front of the Red Sea, the eastern border of Egypt. God often puts our life journey into a dead end corner like this. To make matters worse, Egypt's elite army rushed behind them. Of course, God had a hidden will for this to happen. That is, God was "glorified" through the dramatic work of judgment and salvation, and the Egyptians and Israelites were to "know that God is Jehovah" (4). The Israelites at first followed Moses' command and "doed it" (4) and "go out boldly" (8).
2. “They cried out in great fear and [murmuring]” (10-12)
When things were going smoothly, the people of Israel clapped their hands and liked them, but when things were difficult, they immediately shouted and filled with fear and resentment. “It is better to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” God wants to give us true freedom, and Satan wants to take us back and make us his slaves. However, when we are in trouble, we want to give up our freedom and become slaves to Satan again, eating and drinking, and sustaining life in the flesh.
3. “Do not be afraid, stand still and see salvation” (13-21)
Instead of rebuking the people of Israel who feared, cried, and grumbled, God taught them the attitude of faith they should have. First, I told him not to be afraid. Fear and resentment are evidence of unbelief in facing adversity. Second, I was told to stand still. Hurting and fussing is also evidence of unbelief that depends on you. Third, they were told to see the salvation of the Lord. Looking to the Lamb, looking to Jesus, and silently looking to God is evidence of faith. It is an attitude of faith to look forward to God's salvation with tension. Fourth, I was told to go forward. Retreat is unbelief, faith is progress. Fifth, he was asked to hold out his staff and reach out his hand. He told me to take the staff that God had given me as a gift and raise my hand and stretch it out over the sea. Our hands can be the hands of faith and prayer, the hands of love and service, the hands of power and miracles, the hands of blessing or judgment. Sixth, we should know that the ultimate purpose of all these movements and actions is still to glorify God and to make God known to all people, including the Egyptians, as Jehovah.
4. "Moses stretched out his hand over the sea" (21-31)
Moses obeyed. God saved Israel and destroyed the Egyptian army by splitting the Red Sea and putting it back together again through Moses' hand. “The waters parted, and the sea became dry land” (21). "The power of the sea was restored" (27). “Israel saw it, and they feared the Lord and believed” (31).