Moses’ Story: The Crossing

Exodus 14-15

The Ten Signposts of the Bible
CAMDE—400—CALY
Creation. Abraham. MOSES. David. Elijah. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to Come.
Israel enslaved. Moses rescued. In Midian. Burning bush. Excuses. Plagues. Passover. Exodus.

When God delivered Israel from Egypt, he did not take them on the shortest route to the promised land. The Philistines were guarding the area, and God knew Israel was not yet ready for battle. 

Instead, God led them on a journey of preparation. After generations of slavery, they needed to know that God was on their side and that he was their God. They needed to see his power and deliverance—again and again. 

Maybe your personal walk with God has not followed the route you expected. There have been detours marked by disappointment and discouragement. Sometimes God takes us the long way around because he knows we need more training and preparation for the great things he has in store. When you study God’s story in God’s people, you soon learn that the road to the promised land is not smooth and gently sloping downhill all the way.  

After witnessing the ten plagues and boldly exiting Egypt, God led Israel into a dead end. They were stuck—high mountains to the south and west, a sea to the east, and six hundred elite chariots with their drivers from Pharaoh’s army chasing them from behind. There was no way forward and no way back. They were hemmed in.

Israel panicked. Put yourself in their shoes. Can you blame them? They were trapped with no hope in sight. They let Moses have it for bringing them out of Egypt and into the desert to die. They said, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt?” (Ex. 14:11). Tyranny was a better option than death (Ex. 14:12). 

Moses didn’t flinch. 

He saw the column of smoke rising toward the heavens and knew that God was on their side. Here’s how he addressed the people: 

Exodus 14:13-14
“Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” 

Moses saw the same obstacles as the Israelites, but through different lenses. They were fearful. He was faithful. They panicked. He waited on God’s power. Then God told Moses, “Tell the people of Israel to go forward” (Ex. 14:15). 

Moses took the staff of God and held it over the sea. God sent a strong east wind that parted the waters. The people of Israel walked through the Red Sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on either side. Along with the cloud of God’s presence moving to their rear, an angel of God came to establish an impenetrable wall between the Israelites and the Egyptian army. The army was stopped in its tracks all through the night until Israel crossed the sea on dry ground. 

As soon as the cloud of God and the angel of God were removed as barriers between the Israelites and the Egyptian army, the Egyptian army resumed its pursuit. 

Exodus 14:23-25
The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. And in the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic, clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from before Israel, for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians.” 

It was too late. At Moses’ command, the waters collapsed over the Egyptians, covering the chariots, horsemen, horses, and soldiers. Pharaoh’s army was destroyed. Israel saw the dead bodies of soldiers washed up on the seashore. This event was clear proof that “the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians” (Ex. 14:30). They had witnessed God’s great power. They “feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses” (Ex. 14:31). 

After Israel crossed the Red Sea and gathered safely on the other side, Moses sang a beautiful song of praise and thanksgiving.  

Exodus 15:11-12
Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them. 

The testing will continue. The challenges will come. Some days, we move forward and engage in the battle. Other days, we only need to be still, and God will fight for us. But God continually asks us to trust him, and he continually proves that he can be trusted.

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD 
Read and reflect on Exodus 14-15. Where in your life do you feel “hemmed in”—with no way forward or back? How might God be using this season to prepare you?

Talking to God: Ask God to help you be still and wait on him.

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