I am re-reading an excellent little book written by Robert J. Morgan called The Red Sea Rules. In it, the author examines the truths found in the Exodus story when the Israelites are being pursued by Pharaoh’s army in the wilderness and God makes the escape route by parting the Red Sea. I don’t know about you, but I find this to be one of the most exciting stories found in the Old Testament! It really gets my pulse pounding and my heart racing!
The Israelites have made it out of Egypt; they have been released from the bondage of their captivity! After the drama and devastation of the plagues, Pharaoah couldn’t get them to leave quickly enough. After 430 years of being enslaved, they are free to GO! However, the Lord instructs Moses to take the people on a bit of a detour. God knows the hearts and will of His children better than they (read we) know themselves! “When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them on the road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest way from Egypt to the Promised Land. God said, ‘If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.’ So God led them along a route through the wilderness toward the Red Sea and the Israelites left Egypt like a marching army.” (Exodus 14:17-18)
The Israelites have made it out of Egypt; they have been released from the bondage of their captivity! After the drama and devastation of the plagues, Pharaoah couldn’t get them to leave quickly enough. After 430 years of being enslaved, they are free to GO! However, the Lord instructs Moses to take the people on a bit of a detour. God knows the hearts and will of His children better than they (read we) know themselves! “When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them on the road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest way from Egypt to the Promised Land. God said, ‘If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.’ So God led them along a route through the wilderness toward the Red Sea and the Israelites left Egypt like a marching army.” (Exodus 14:17-18)
Wow! Like a marching army! These people were bold, they were confident, they have been set free! Have you been there? Do you know the feeling of being able to stand upright after the weight of some chain; some suffering; some SIN has been lifted from your shoulders? I know that feeling…that sweet, victorious feeling! Like the song goes: “I’ve been set free….my chains are gone…” Nothing can stand in my way! But wait…what is that???? off in the distance…do you see it? It’s…it’s…chariot dust! That’s right, the enemy doesn’t give up quite so easily! Scripture tells us:
“Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil.” Ephesians 6:11
Pharaoh’s grief-filled tears from having to bury his firstborn son are hardly dried upon his cheeks when he looks up to his advisors and asks: “What have I done; letting my workforce leave?” He summons his men for battle, hooks up the royal chariots and they are off to re-claim their power over the people of God!
“As Pharaoh and his army approached, the people of Israel could see them in the distance, marching toward them. The people began to panic, and they cried out to the Lord for help. Then they turned against Moses and complained:
Why did you bring us out here to die…
Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt?
Why did you make us leave?
…Our slavery was far better than dying our here in the wilderness…
(Exodus 14:11-12)
What a bunch of ungrateful, foolish, spoiled-rotten….wait a minute! That is me!! How often have I been relieved of my oppression and set free from my chains and as soon as it gets hard again I want to give up! As soon as the ‘afterglow’ of release starts to wane, my tendency is to whine and want to run back to what I know; to the cheap, counterfeit sources of comfort, pleasure and security that entangled me in the first place! As soon as the chariot dust is kicked up I throw in the towel (or try to throw it over my head and hide!)
Charles Spurgeon is quoted as saying: “The great tyrant has not forgotten you, and he designs your capture and re-enslavement.”
However, as sons and daughters of the Living God, we know the rest of the story! We can almost hear Moses’ exclamation echo back through the ages from Exodus 14 saying:
“Don’t be afraid! Just stand where you are and watch the LORD rescue you. The Egyptians that you see today will never be seen again. The LORD Himself will fight for you. You won’t have to lift a finger in your defense!.” (vs. 13-14)
The Lord is making a way; He always makes a way! It doesn’t matter what is behind us, around us or in front of us! That cloud of chariot dust may be closing in, but the Israelites are not trapped. They are pursued but never captured. If any of that dust started to settle on their travelling clothes, it was washed away and scattered as they turned toward the Red Sea and resumed their march to the Promised Land! That is the power still available to you and I today! We serve the Almighty, the Deliverer, the Great Redeemer! He still parts the waters! He has the victory and because of the blood of Jesus Christ…we can claim that same victory! We never have to return to the land of our bondage; the source of our enslavement! We are more than conquerors! Be BOLD! Stand upright and march in that TRUTH, today! Don’t get left behind in the dust!
