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Steven Cole · Citado em PreceptAustin
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Cole - God ordains trials so that we will trust Him. God does this on different levels. Often, He brings trials into our lives before we have trusted in Christ as Savior to show us our need for Him. Countless testimonies run along the lines, “I was a happy unbeliever when suddenly I got hit with some overwhelming trials that showed me that I needed God. About that time, a Christian friend told me that Jesus died on the cross for all my sins and offers me eternal life as a free gift if I would trust in Him. I realized that I needed Christ and trusted Him at that time.” I love the story of blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52). If he had not been blind, he probably wouldn’t have been as desperate to meet Jesus. But as it was, when he heard that Jesus was passing by, he cried out (Mark 10:47), “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many tried to silence him, but he yelled all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus heard him, stopped, and called him to come. Jesus asked (Mark 10:51), “What do you want Me to do for you?” He wanted Bartimaeus to acknowledge his need and his faith. Bartimaeus said, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!” Jesus healed him instantly, saying (Mark 10:52), “Go; your faith has made you well.” Bartimaeus’ blindness drove him in faith to the only One who could help. If you’ve never trusted in Christ as your Savior, let your trials drive you to faith in Him! But also, God ordains trials for us as believers so that we will trust Him more deeply. The apostle Paul was not weak in faith. But even he needed to trust God more. He wrote (2 Cor. 1:8-10), “For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us.” But we need to be careful so that our cry to God in a time of need is genuine. In Exodus 14:10, as Pharaoh and his army drew near to the trapped Israelites, we read that they cried out to the Lord. But then they immediately (Exod. 14:11-12) accuse Moses of bringing them out of Egypt so that they could die in the wilderness. They remind him that they had said when they were back in Egypt that it would be better to remain slaves in Egypt than to die in the wilderness. Their accusation assumed that they knew better than either Moses or God about what would be best for them! So their cry to God was just a cry of panic, not of genuine faith. Genuine faith submits to God’s mighty hand in trials, casting all cares on Him (1 Pet. 5:6-7). Complaining or accusing God of harming you is evidence of a lack of genuine faitHh. God is sovereign over all things, including the trials that come into our lives. Rod Mattoon - God was leading the Hebrews through this trial for He wanted His people to learn some valuable lessons. They have done everything that the Lord has asked them to do, and He is going to protect them. We will find that this will be the last trial for Pharaoh. It will be the first severe trial for Israel since their departure from Egypt. Beloved, the trials that we go through are for our benefit, growth, and maturity for these are the by-products of trials when we respond to them properly. James 1:3-4-... Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. [4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Romans 5:3-And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; Job 23:10-But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. If Israel could see their Red Sea situation from God's viewpoint, the "worry barometer" would barely have a reading at all. Unfortunately, we don't have the benefit of God's viewpoint of our troubles. The mystery, uncertainty, and inability to understand our trauma create stress, pressure, fear, and is at the root of our suffering. We must come to a point where we MUST trust in Him. We don't have God's viewpoint of our trials, but we do have HIM, and can trust in Him. Isaiah 26:3-Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Bill Bright - God’s People in Trouble In Exodus 14:1–4, the Israelites experienced an unrecognized blessing. As you read, notice the human viewpoint of the people and God’s viewpoint as seen in Moses. 1. How did the Israelites react to apparent danger (Exodus 14:10–12)? 2. Notice how Moses reacted. Why do you think he commanded the people as he did (Exodus 14:13, 14)? 3. What did God accomplish in their hearts and minds through this experience (Exodus 14:31)? 4. Think back to a crisis in your life. How did those around you respond? How did you react? How could you have improved your attitude? List ways God has worked through difficulties in your life, and has shown these difficulties really to be blessings. Taking the Proper Attitude 1. List some things the Bible guarantees when you are tempted or tested (1 Corinthians 10:13). 2. How can the Bible’s guarantee in Romans 8:28 be true that everything will work out for good to those who love God? When have you ever doubted God’s work in your life? Why? 3. What response to tribulation does God expect from you, according to Romans 5:3–5? What are the results of tribulations? (See also James 1:3.) 4. What is the purpose of unrecognized blessings according to: 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 Hebrews 12:5–11 5. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and Hebrews 13:15. What response does God command in all situations? How can you rejoice and give thanks when sorrow and tragedy come? Contrast this with the attitude of the Israelites in Exodus 14:1–12. LIFE APPLICATION 1 List the methods by which an attitude of trust can become a reality for you. (See Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Romans 10:17.) 2 With what trial in your life do you need to trust God right now? 3 What do you think the unrecognized blessings in that trial could be? 4 How can you receive those blessings? Exodus 14:3 "For Pharaoh will say of the sons of Israel, 'They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.' Pharaoh - Ex 7:3,4 De 31:21 Ps 139:2,4 Eze 38:10,11,17 Ac 4:28 They are wandering aimlessly - Jdg 16:2 1Sa 23:7,23 Ps 3:2 71:11 Jer 20:10,11 Exodus 14 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PHARAOH WONDERS ABOUT ISRAEL'S WILDERNESS WANDERING! For Pharaoh will say of the sons of Israel, 'They are wandering aimlessly in the land - Jehovah tells Moses what Pharaoh would begin to think and vocalize presumably to his counselors. The NET renders his vocalization as "They are wandering around confused in the land". This of course would have been Pharaoh's humanistic rationale, thinking in essence that Israel was "dazed and confused," but the fact is they were not, for they were being led by God Himself! They were being divinely directed so were hardly wandering aimlessly! Pharaoh is excited at the thought he would finally be able to crush Israel, not knowing that it was his own army would be crushed by the weight of the water that would engulf them! He has clearly jettisoned from his thinking the idea that Israel's God might also protect the people He had just delivered! Pharaoh was out of his mind! NOTE - The verb for wandering aimlessly (buk) is used only 2 other times (Esther 3:15 = "Susa was in confusion" [Lxx - tarasso - in an uproar], Joel 1:18+), Joel's use (in context of the Day of the Lord) describing the "herds of cattle (that) wander aimlessly because their is no pasture for them." The picture (in Pharaoh's mind) is graphic -- Israel is like a bunch of cattle wandering about in confusion. He had no concept of a God Who not only would deliver His people but then lead His people. The Septuagint translates wandering aimlessly (buk) here in Ex 14:3 with the verb planao which means to be misled, caused to wander (astray) and is in the present tense, so the Egyptians interpret their REVERSAL as an indication that they are continually lost! So they make plans to pounce!
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Cole - Israel seemed to have taken a ‘dead-end’ road, since the sea or salt marshes now barred their way ahead and the desert was a barrier round them on all other sides. Kaiser comments "Pharaoh assumed that Israel’s divine help had run out and that they were hopelessly entangled on a dead-end trail since the desert, the sea, and marshes barred their way out of this trap. God, however, had commanded Moses (v.3: “Pharaoh will think”) to take this impossible route to show the Egyptians once more that he was God (v.4; see 7:17; 9:14) and to show Israel his great power (vv.30–31). J
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Cole - Israel may indeed have cried out to YHWH for help, but their next reaction (as often in the steppe country; cf. Ex 16:3, etc.) was to blame Moses. This was very wrong but very human: we recognize ourselves again and again in Israel.
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Cole - Salvation is used here in its literal sense of saving life, or of victory instead of defeat in war. As the Old Testament moves on, ‘salvation’ will gain a more spiritual and less material sense (Psalm 51:12), although the Hebrew was not conscious of any sharp contrast between the two.”
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Cole - Trusting God sometimes means doing nothing else, but at other times using appropriate means. Exodus 14:13-14 reflects Moses’ great trust in the Lord: 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.” This is a great picture of our salvation. We can’t do anything to help God out in the process. All we can do is receive God’s salvation by faith. But even saving faith and repentance must come from God (Phil. 1:29; Eph. 2:8-9; 2 Tim. 2:25-26). Some object, “How can God command sinners to repent and believe in Christ if they’re incapable of repenting and believing?” But the Bible shows that with the command, God grants faith and repentance to those He sovereignly ordains to save (Acts 5:31; 11:18). Mark 3 reports that in the synagogue Jesus saw a man with a withered hand. He couldn’t move it. But Jesus called the man in front of everyone and commanded (Mark 3:5), “Stretch out your hand.” Was Jesus mocking him? He wasn’t able to stretch out his hand! But with the command, Jesus imparted the power to obey. The man stretched out his hand and was healed. Here (Ex 14:15), God gives Israel the impossible command, “Go forward.” That was a good idea, but there was this little problem of the Red Sea preventing them from going forward! But when Moses trusted God and lifted his staff over the sea, it parted so that the Israelites could obey God’s command. There are a few other instances in the Bible where God commanded His people to do nothing except to trust Him and He brought a miraculous deliverance (2 Chron. 20:15-17). But God’s usual method is for us first to trust Him and then to use appropriate means to deal with the trial at hand: Pray for a job, but then do all you can to secure that job. Pray for healing, but get proper medical attention. Pray for problems in your marriage, but obey biblical commands that apply to your marriage. Thus, God is sovereign over all things, including the trials that come into our lives. He ordains those trials so that we will trust Him to deliver us. But why does He do that Janet Rockey - Courage to Stand between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea EXODUS 14:13 “Between the devil and the deep blue sea” is an idiom describing the choice between two possibly fatal situations. Caught with Pharaoh’s army before them and the Red Sea behind them, the Israelites panicked. Would they die by the sword of Pharaoh or drown in the sea? But God provided a miraculous escape. He parted the sea with a strong east wind, and the people crossed to the other side on solid ground, not thick mud. God freed us from the slavery of sin, yet we might panic when our old nature pursues us. An ocean of past failures blocks our escape. God parted our deep blue sea with the red blood of Christ. We can come to Him, not through blood-soaked ground, but on the solid foundation of His name. Merciful Father, You provided our miraculous escape through Jesus. He shed His blood once and for all. It is finished. Streams in the Desert - “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord” (Exod. 14:13.) THESE words contain God’s command to the believer when he is reduced to great straits and brought into extraordinary difficulties. He cannot retreat; he cannot go forward; he is shut upon the right hand and on the left. What is he now to do? The Master’s word to him is “stand still.” It will be well for him if, at such times, he listens only to his Master’s word, for other and evil advisers come with their suggestions. Despair whispers, “Lie down and die; give it all up.” But God would have us put on a cheerful courage, and even in our worst times, rejoice in His love and faithfulness. Cowardice says, “Retreat; go back to the worldling’s way of action; you cannot play the Christian’s part; it is too difficult. Relinquish your principles.” But, however much Satan may urge this course upon you, you cannot follow it, if you are a child of God. His Divine fiat has bid thee go from strength to strength, and so thou shalt, and neither death nor hell shall turn thee from thy course. What if for a while thou art called to stand still; yet this is but to renew thy strength for some greater advance in due time. Precipitancy cries, “Do something; stir yourself; to stand still and wait is sheer idleness.” We must be doing something at once—we must do it, so we think—instead of looking to the Lord, who will not only do something, but will do everything. Presumption boasts, “If the sea be before you, march into it, and expect a miracle.” But faith listens neither to Presumption, nor to Despair, nor to Cowardice, nor to Precipitancy, but it hears God say, “Stand still,” and immovable as a rock it stands. “Stand still”—keep the posture of an upright man, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the directing voice; and it will not be long ere God shall say to you, as distinctly as Moses said it to the people of Israel, “Go forward.”—Spurgeon. “Be quiet! why this anxious heed About thy tangled ways? God knows them all. He giveth speed And He allows delays. ’Tis good for thee to walk by faith And not by sight. Take it on trust a little while. Soon shalt thou read the mystery aright In the full sunshine of His smile.” In times of uncertainty, wait. Always, if you have any doubt, wait. Do not force yourself to any action. If you have a restraint in your spirit, wait until all is clear, and do not go against it. James Butler - Exodus 14:13 Precepts and Promises Exodus The Israelites were trapped at the Red Sea just as Pharaoh had planned when he and his armies went after the Israelites in that location. Mountains were on two sides of them the Red Sea was on one side and Pharaoh's armies were on the another side. So no matter which way they looked they were trapped. Such situations are those which God especially likes to work because it shows His power and wisdom much more than in a lesser difficulty. Israel had not come to this place by disobedience but by obedience to God's leading. Therefore God would work for them if they got in some difficulty. God told the Israelites two things. They can be summed up as precepts and promises. These would take care of the problem they had of being apparently trapped at the Red Sea. FIRST—THE PRECEPTS OF GOD The precepts for deliverance came before the promises of deliverance. We like the promises better but if we want the promises we had better attend to the precepts. Two precept/commands were given to the Israelites. Neither would be easy to obey. • Their attitude. "Fear not." When everything around you provokes fear, it is very hard to stop fearing. It reminds me of the whippings I used to get as a child. Mother would tell me that I was to stop crying and yelling (the whippings hurt), before she would stop spanking. I did, but it was not easy. When God comes on the scene we are to honor God by an attitude that does not fear the circumstances. • Their action. "Stand still." How hard it is to stand still especially when trouble surrounds us. But we need to stand still to hear God. If the Israelites had run around they would not have been able to be organized to march across the Red Sea. SECOND—THE PROMISES OF GOD The promises would encourage their obedience. When obedience is especially difficult, the promises will be especially great as they were here. Two promises were given here about what they would see. • They would see deliverance. "See the salvation of the Lord." God said he would deliver the Israelites though it looked humanly impossible. This deliverance promise would be a great encouragement. God is better than TV, he shows us things that delight, not defile. • They would see death. "The Egyptians, whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever." The first promise was about what they would see, the second promise was about what they would not see which means they would see death. The Egyptian army of which they were justifiably afraid, would all drown in the Red Sea deliverance, and therefore the Israelites would never see the army again. Truly this promise was most encouraging to the Israelites. Exodus 14:5-22 Stand Or Go? Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation o f the Lord”—Exodus 14:13 The Israelites were trapped. Soon after leaving slavery and Egypt behind, they looked up and saw a distressing sight. A cloud of dust was moving their way, and in that dust was a massive army. Pharaoh’s “disease” had returned—hardening of the heart (Ex. 14:8). As a result, he sent his chariots after Moses and his people. Once the Egyptian army caught up with the Israelites, all seemed lost. They were trapped between a wall of soldiers and a sea of water. In panic, they cried out to both Moses and God. Both of them responded with instructions. Moses said, “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. ” (Ex 14:13). And God told them, “Go forward” (Es 14:15). While that may seem to be contradictory advice, both commands were from God and right. First, the people had to “stand still” or “firm” long enough to get instructions from God. What if they had rushed headlong into the Red Sea without consulting the Lord? But in standing still, they heard God’s instructions, which included both what they were to do—move on, and what Moses was to do—stretch out his hand over the sea in obedience and God would part the waters. It matters not how dark the way, How thick the clouds from day to day, God will direct in all we do If we take time to pray it through. —Mead If you’re looking for guidance, follow Christ as your guide. Exodus 14:14 "The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent." LORD - Ex 14:25 Ex 15:3 De 1:30 3:22 Dt 20:4 Jos 10:10,14,42 Josh 23:3,10 Jdg 5:20 2Ch 20:17,29 Ne 4:20 Isa 31:4,5 keep silent - Ps 50:3 Ps 83:1 Isa 30:15 Exodus 14 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries BE QUIET! WATCH JEHOVAH FIGHT! The LORD will fight for you - The word order places emphasis on Yahweh. Note the battle is the LORD's! This is a "divine face off" for Pharaoh was considered divine and here he would face the only One Who is truly divine! Indeed, “The LORD is a warrior; The LORD is His Name." (Ex 15:3). Jehovah fighting for His people is a repeated theme in the Old Testament, but God is the same today as He was in the OT, so remember in your battles, you have a strong Defender and Ally! And many times it is best to let the LORD do the fighting for us while we keep silent! Deuteronomy 1:30 ‘The LORD your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf, just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, Deuteronomy 3:22 ‘Do not fear them, for the LORD your God is the one fighting for you.’ Deuteronomy 20:4 for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’ Joshua 10:10; 14; 42 And the LORD confounded them before Israel, and He slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and pursued them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah. 14 There was no day like that before it or after it, when the LORD listened to the voice of a man; for the LORD fought for Israel. 42 Joshua captured all these kings and their lands at one time, because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel. Joshua 23:3 “And you have seen all that the LORD your God has done to all these nations because of you, for the LORD your God is He who has been fighting for you. Joshua 23:10 “One of your men puts to flight a thousand, for the LORD your God is He who fights for you, just as He promised you. 2 Chronicles 20:17 ‘You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ 2 Chronicles 20:29 And the dread of God was on all the kingdoms of the lands when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel. Nehemiah 4:20 “At whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.” Merrill notes that "“This is the first example in the Old Testament of what some scholars call ‘holy war’ or ‘Yahweh war.’ That is, this war was undertaken by the Lord in defense of His own reputation, promises, and self-interest (14:10–14; see also, for example, 15:3; Deut. 1:30; 3:22; 20:4). It is to be distinguished from ‘ordinary’ war that Israel might undertake on her own (Num. 14:39–45)." Fight (03898)(lacham) means to do battle, fight, engage in combat, wage war -- against Egyptians (Ex 1:10), against Israel (Nu 21:1, 23, 25, 22:11; Josh 9:2); against Israel's enemies (Josh 10:29). Of Yahweh fighting for His people (Ex 14:14, Ex 14:25, Ex 17:9-10, Dt 1:30, Dt 3:22, Josh 10:14, Jer 21:5, Neh 4:14, 2 Chr 20:29) In doing so, Yahweh often calls into His service not only Israel, but also the elements of nature (Josh 10:11; Josh 24:7; Jdg 5:20). Nevertheless, the Israelites must also join the battle and fight with the Lord. Even though their land has been deeded to them as an inheritance, they must conquer it in battle (Ex 23:27-33). W E Vine - While the word is commonly used in the context of "armies engaged in pitched battle" against each other (Num. 21:23; Josh. 10:5; Judg. 11:5), it is also used to describe "single, hand-to-hand combat" (1 Sam. 17:32-33). Frequently, God "fights" the battle for Israel (Deut. 20:4). Instead of swords, words spoken by a lying tongue are often used "to fight" against God's servants (Ps. 109:2). (Vine's Expository Dictionary) Walter Kaiser - Israel constituted the "armies of the Yahweh" (Exodus 12:41) whose troops had to be holy (Isaiah 13:3). Even the Israelites' weapons and campgrounds had to be holy if the Yahweh was to camp with them (Deut. 23:10-15; 2 Samuel 1:21; Isaiah 21:5). Thus "if it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us up alive" (Psalm 124:1-3 [H 4]; Psalm 118:10-14). "Fight against those who fight against me, O Lord" (Psalm 35:1). But Israel's trust must be in the Lord, warn the prophets, not in horses, chariots, weapons, or men (cf. Deut. 17:16-17; 1 Samuel 17:47; Isaiah 31:1-3; Hosea 8:14). Israel itself was subject to attack from God if they flaunted his laws and indulged in sin. Amos 2:14-16 comes very close to describing all-out warfare against Israel. Isaiah 63:10 states explicitly that when the Israelites rebelled against the Holy Spirit, God became their enemy and fought against them. There is yet coming a time when God will fight once more; this time against all the nations which have attacked Israel (Zech. 14:3). Yahweh has decreed the death of the beast and the end of his power (Daniel 7:11, 26; Daniel 8:25; Daniel 11:45). God will personally put on the breastplate of righteousness, helmet of salvation, suit of vengeance, and coat of zeal as he judges the enemies from the nations, until the fear of him is spread from east to west (Isaiah 59:17-19). (Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament) Lacham - 165v - conquer*(1), ever fight(1), fight(77), fighting(15), fights(2), fought(59), made war(1), make war(5), making war(1), overcome(1), waging war(1), war(1), warred(2), warring(3). Ex 1:10; Ex 14:14; Ex 14:25; Ex 17:8; Ex 17:9; Ex 17:10; Nu 21:1; Nu 21:23; Nu 21:26; Nu 22:11; Dt. 1:30; Dt. 1:41; Dt. 1:42; Dt. 3:22; Dt. 20:4; Deut. 20:10; Deut. 20:19; Jos. 9:2; Jos. 10:5; Jos. 10:14; Jos. 10:25; Jos. 10:29; Jos. 10:31; Jos. 10:34; Jos. 10:36; Jos. 10:38; Jos. 10:42; Jos. 11:5; Jos. 19:47; Jos. 23:3; Jos. 23:10; Jos. 24:8; Jos. 24:9; Jos. 24:11; Jdg. 1:1; Jdg. 1:3; Jdg. 1:5; Jdg. 1:8; Jdg. 1:9; Jdg. 5:19; Jdg. 5:20; Jdg. 8:1; Jdg. 9:17; Jdg. 9:38; Jdg. 9:39; Jdg. 9:45; Jdg. 9:52; Jdg. 10:9; Jdg. 10:18; Jdg. 11:4; Jdg. 11:5; Jdg. 11:6; Jdg. 11:8; Jdg. 11:9; Jdg. 11:12; Jdg. 11:20; Jdg. 11:25; Jdg. 11:27; Jdg. 11:32; Jdg. 12:1; Jdg. 12:3; Jdg. 12:4; 1 Sam. 4:9; 1 Sam. 4:10; 1 Sam. 8:20; 1 Sam. 12:9; 1 Sam. 13:5; 1 Sam. 14:47; 1 Sam. 15:18; 1 Sam. 17:9; 1 Sam. 17:10; 1 Sam. 17:19; 1 Sam. 17:32; 1 Sam. 17:33; 1 Sam. 18:17; 1 Sam. 19:8; 1 Sam. 23:1; 1 Sam. 23:5; 1 Sam. 25:28; 1 Sam. 28:1; 1 Sam. 28:15; 1 Sam. 29:8; 1 Sam. 31:1; 2 Sam. 2:28; 2 Sam. 8:10; 2 Sam. 10:17; 2 Sam. 11:17; 2 Sam. 11:20; 2 Sam. 12:26; 2 Sam. 12:27; 2 Sam. 12:29; 2 Sam. 21:15; 1 Ki. 12:21; 1 Ki. 12:24; 1 Ki. 14:19; 1 Ki. 20:1; 1 Ki. 20:23; 1 Ki. 20:25; 1 Ki. 22:31; 1 Ki. 22:32; 1 Ki. 22:45; 2 Ki. 3:21; 2 Ki. 6:8; 2 Ki. 8:29; 2 Ki. 9:15; 2 Ki. 10:3; 2 Ki. 12:17; 2 Ki. 13:12; 2 Ki. 14:15; 2 Ki. 14:28; 2 Ki. 16:5; 2 Ki. 19:8; 2 Ki. 19:9; 1 Chr. 10:1; 1 Chr. 18:10; 1 Chr. 19:17; 2 Chr. 11:1; 2 Chr. 11:4; 2 Chr. 13:12; 2 Chr. 17:10; 2 Chr. 18:30; 2 Chr. 18:31; 2 Chr. 20:17; 2 Chr. 20:29; 2 Chr. 22:6; 2 Chr. 26:6; 2 Chr. 27:5; 2 Chr. 32:8; 2 Chr. 35:20; 2 Chr. 35:22; Neh. 4:8; Neh. 4:14; Neh. 4:20; Ps. 35:1; Ps. 56:1; Ps. 56:2; Ps. 109:3; Isa. 7:1; Isa. 19:2; Isa. 20:1; Isa. 30:32; Isa. 37:8; Isa. 37:9; Isa. 63:10; Jer. 1:19; Jer. 15:20; Jer. 21:2; Jer. 21:4; Jer. 21:5; Jer. 32:5; Jer. 32:24; Jer. 32:29; Jer. 33:5; Jer. 34:1; Jer. 34:7; Jer. 34:22; Jer. 37:8; Jer. 37:10; Jer. 41:12; Jer. 51:30; Dan. 10:20; Dan. 11:11; Zech. 10:5; Zech. 14:3; Zech. 14:14 While you keep silent - "And you can be still." (NET) "Just stay calm." (NLT) "Hold your peace." (KJV) So what did Israel have to do in this battle? Basically they just had to watch the power of the Jehovah on display! Who gets the glory? God Alone is honored just as He prophesied He would be (Ex 14:4, 17, 18). . It is axiomatic of the Christian life that God generally leads His children step by step and day by day, as we faithfully and prayerfully follow Him. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord." The steps--and sometimes the stops. (Rob Morgan) This reminds me of Psalm 46:10-11 where "be still" is "do nothing, be quiet." Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
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Cole - This is a very graphic touch, an eye-witness account. The drowned Egyptian soldiers stand for an old way of life in slavery, now gone for ever. Somehow the sight of those dead bodies was the concrete sign that salvation and a new life for Israel were now assured.” (TOTC-Ex) Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians - The salvation of Israel is the culmination of all the powerful works of God through these chapters. Again we see a striking contrast between Israel saved and Egyptians dead. The distinction Jehovah had been making during the plagues between Israel and Egypt is now consummated. Note Israel saw indicating the Egyptians were washed up on the seashore after drowning, at least some washing up on the western side of the sea. Saved (delivered) (03467)(yasha' See also yeshua from which we get our word "Jesus") is an important Hebrew verb which means to help, to save, to deliver. The root in Arabic is "make wide" which underscores the main thought of yasha' as to bring to a place of safety or broad pasture in contrast to a narrow strait which symbolizes distress or danger. It was used in Ex 2:17 where "Moses stood up and helped them." The Septuagint translates saved here with the great verb rhuomai (from rhúo = to draw, drag along the ground) means to draw or snatch to oneself and invariably refers to a snatching from danger, evil or an enemy. This basic idea is that of bringing someone out of severe and acute danger, and so to save, rescue, deliver, preserve. Rhuomai emphasizes greatness of peril from which deliverance is given by a mighty act of power. In the NT rhuomai is always associated with God as the Deliverer and with a person as the object of His deliverance. Here in Exodus God is the Deliverer and the sons of Israel are the object of His "operation rescue!" A great example of rhuomai is wading in a rushing river and suddenly being caught in the current utterly helpless (THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO ME WHEN I WAS ABOUT 13 yo). As you cry out (I WAS LITERALLY UNDER THE WEIGHT OF A SMALL WATERFALL PUSHING ME DOWN AND COULD NOT RAISE UP BUT COULD RAISE MY HAND) someone hears you and holds out their hand as you go rushing by. (SOMEONE SAW ME AND GRABBED MY HAND PULLING ME TO THE SIDE AWAY FROM THE WEIGHTY OF THE WATER COMING THROUGH THE SMALL OPENING).. As you lie their beside the river safe in the presence of the one who pulled you out, you still are in the presence of the dangerous rushing current… you can hear it… you can see it… but you've been delivered from danger you are now safe. How foolish to walk right back into that current and let it sweep you away! And Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore - Note Israel saw indicating the Egyptians were washed up on the seashore after drowning, at least some washing up on the western side of the sea. Adam Clarke speculates that the Israelites plundered these dead Egyptian soldiers and thereby gained weapons they would later use in battles against the Amalekites, Amorites, and others. John
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Cole - A. When God delivers you, give Him the glory. This applies both to your salvation through the gospel and to His delivering you from a trial. In Psalm 50:15 God commands, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.” Pharaoh’s army, with its hundreds of chariots, was the most powerful war machine of its day, but it was no match for God’s power. He divided the sea to let Israel cross and to lure the Egyptian army to pursue them. Once Israel was on the other side, God commanded Moses to stretch out his hand so that the sea returned to its normal state, drowning all of the Egyptian soldiers. As a result (Exod. 14:31), Israel feared the Lord and believed in Him, as well as in His servant Moses (although temporarily). If you’re going through a difficult trial, I encourage you to read the triumphant words of Romans 8, especially the crescendo at the end, where Paul declares (Rom. 8:31), “If God is for us, who is against us?” He goes on to list every conceivable trial, including being slaughtered as sheep for God’s sake. But then he adds (Rom. 8:37), “In all these things we overwhelming conquer through Him who loved us.” But that raises a final question: “What if God doesn’t deliver you?” What should you do then? B. When God doesn’t deliver you, give Him the glory. Many of God’s saints trusted in Him but died prematurely from disease or were killed for their faith. The great faith chapter, Hebrews 11, records the many victories that God’s people obtained by faith. But after stating that women received back their dead by resurrection, the author continues (Heb. 11:35-38): … and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. The same faith in God had very different results! I love the boldness of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego when the arrogant King Nebuchadnezzar threatened to throw them into the furnace if they didn’t bow to his idol (Dan. 3:17-18): “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” They were ready to glorify God whether He delivered them or whether they burned to death! Conclusion At the cross, Satan and all of God’s enemies thought that they had gained final victory by killing Jesus. But through the cross, God disarmed and triumphed over the forces of darkness, securing our salvation (Col. 2:15). God raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him above all rule and authority (Eph. 1:20-22). So even if we suffer martyrs’ deaths, God will be glorified by raising us from the dead and having us rule with Him throughout eternity! The 1563 Heidelberg Catechism begins with the question, “What is your only comfort in life and death?” It answers: That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation. Honor God by letting that be your only comfort in life and dea James Butler - Red Sea Experience Results Exodus 14:31 The Red Sea miracle for the Israelites had a great effect upon them. Our text points out several of the effects. Like the resurrection of Christ is to the Christ believer, so the Red Sea miracle was a capstone of doctrine for the Israelites. First—The Perception of the Miracle "Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians." The word "saw" is a very comprehensive word. It speaks of more than a casual observation of a happening but it speaks of perception, or understanding, or comprehending the meaning. Jesus spoke of those unbelievers who "seeing they might not see" (Luke 8:1) Peter saw only the grave clothes, John "saw and believed" because John saw more then the grave clothes (John 20:6-8), he saw the bodily resurrection. The words translated "saw" in John 20:5-8 are different words and indicate how one sees things. Many are so carnal they see nothing but words in the Bible, they see no message, no application. Some, however, are like John whose seeing was perceptive. He "saw and believed." Some of the Israelites saw the Red Sea miracle with perceptiveness and believed. Some do not see evidence because their heart is filled with intentional unbelief. Second—The Piety From the Miracles "The people feared God." The first effect of seeing this great miracle. was reverence for God. To fear God means to reverence Him. We have little fear of God in our land today, for few give Him any reverence. The profaneness of our day declares a lack of reverence for God. The Red Sea miracle got rid of a lot of idolatry in the Israelites. It put a great reverence in their heart for Jehovah-God. The Red Sea miracle also caused other nations to give reverence for God as is confirmed by Rahab's message to the spies (Joshua 2:10, 11). The primary purpose of all the plagues and miracles was to give God great honor and praise. This is not unrelated to the exhortation in 1 Corinthians 10:31 to glorify God in all that we do. Third—The Persuasion From the Miracle "And believed the LORD and his servant Moses." The persuasion was twofold. The miracle caused people to believe God and Moses • Believe the LORD. "Believed the Lord." Faith was also a result of the Red Sea miracle. God's power when observed should produce faith. But Satan has enough people around who put a 'spin' on God's works and explain them away to try and prevent faith • Believe the Leader. "Believed ... Moses." If you declare the Word you will have the support of those who believe the Word. Opposition often comes from unbelievers disguised as believers but their opposition gives them away.