Exodus 14
Exodus 14:1-31 (NLT)
1 Then the LORD gave these instructions to Moses:
2 “Order the Israelites to turn back and camp by Pi-hahiroth between Migdol and the sea. Camp there along the shore, across from Baal-zephon.
3 Then Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are confused. They are trapped in the wilderness!’
4 And once again I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after you. I have planned this in order to display my glory through Pharaoh and his whole army. After this the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD!” So the Israelites camped there as they were told.
5 When word reached the king of Egypt that the Israelites had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. “What have we done, letting all those Israelite slaves get away?” they asked.
6 So Pharaoh harnessed his chariot and called up his troops.
7 He took with him 600 of Egypt’s best chariots, along with the rest of the chariots of Egypt, each with its commander.
8 The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, so he chased after the people of Israel, who had left with fists raised in defiance.
9 The Egyptians chased after them with all the forces in Pharaoh’s army—all his horses and chariots, his charioteers, and his troops. The Egyptians caught up with the people of Israel as they were camped beside the shore near Pi-hahiroth, across from Baal-zephon.
10 As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the LORD,
11 and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt?
12 Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’”
13 But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again.
14 The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
15 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!
16 Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.
17 And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will charge in after the Israelites. My great glory will be displayed through Pharaoh and his troops, his chariots, and his charioteers.
18 When my glory is displayed through them, all Egypt will see my glory and know that I am the LORD!”
19 Then the angel of God, who had been leading the people of Israel, moved to the rear of the camp. The pillar of cloud also moved from the front and stood behind them.
20 The cloud settled between the Egyptian and Israelite camps. As darkness fell, the cloud turned to fire, lighting up the night. But the Egyptians and Israelites did not approach each other all night.
21 Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the LORD opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land.
22 So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!
23 Then the Egyptians—all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and charioteers—chased them into the middle of the sea.
24 But just before dawn the LORD looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw their forces into total confusion.
25 He twisted their chariot wheels, making their chariots difficult to drive. “Let’s get out of here—away from these Israelites!” the Egyptians shouted. “The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt!”
26 When all the Israelites had reached the other side, the LORD said to Moses, “Raise your hand over the sea again. Then the waters will rush back and cover the Egyptians and their chariots and charioteers.”
27 So as the sun began to rise, Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the water rushed back into its usual place. The Egyptians tried to escape, but the LORD swept them into the sea.
28 Then the waters returned and covered all the chariots and charioteers—the entire army of Pharaoh. Of all the Egyptians who had chased the Israelites into the sea, not a single one survived.
29 But the people of Israel had walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, as the water stood up like a wall on both sides.
30 That is how the LORD rescued Israel from the hand of the Egyptians that day. And the Israelites saw the bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the seashore.
31 When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the LORD had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the LORD and in his servant Moses.
For there to be obedience to the heart and will of God, there is a much-needed impression of Him. For Moses, it had come at the burning bush where God had spoken directly to him in a way that transformed his life and legacy. For the nation to follow him in their liberation from slavery, they also needed an awe-inspiring encounter with the Almighty. The plagues were dramatic demonstrations that garnered enough belief for them to follow Moses into the wilderness, but there was still a need for awe of God that could be with them forever. In this dramatic simultaneous salvation of the nation and destruction of an army, God showed Himself to be far greater than anything that might threaten them. This experience and its telling to endless generations would forever provide an opportunity to not only believe in the God of Isreal but align with His will in the humble worship of service. Like all stories of incredible improbability, because they are God doing the impossible, there is a much-needed encounter with more than just the story. It wasn’t just those in awe of God’s miracles who benefited from their purpose, but it was those who drew close to Him in devotion of their lives in uncompromised obedience. The mass of the Israelites would soon have memory loss and a return to complaining. The only ones who would benefit from the promise of the Miracle Worker were those who allowed awe of Him to become an embrace of the heart. Sadly, it was such a minute number. It was in learning to worship the Great I Am that the subsequent generation was enabled to enter the promise.
As long as there is a requirement of ongoing demonstrations for sustained belief, memories will fade to skepticism. However, as every impression of God from His Word and its telling of His movements awakens a heart of passion for His goodness, there will be stepping into the wonders of His promises. As Jesus’ words move from impression to worship life, their Spirit and their life will have accomplished their ultimate purpose. May this process be the rule and not the exception as a movement of heart-embracing takes over from the limitations of awe alone. Let true worship replace mere awe in observation with a faith walk of fulfilling His will in everything.