Exodus 13:17-14:31 + verses from NT
Introduction
What is it that makes you certain of the victory of the cross, that you are freed from the
power of sin and death, and that you have new life for now and eternity?
When the Children of Israel came out of Egypt, the Lord took them via a route and brought
them to a place where they had no doubt that their former slave masters and oppressors
were part of the past, that they would not be taken back but could proceed along a road to
their new life in the land promised to Abraham and his descendants which was now them.
Freedom had arrived and a new life lay ahead. On the way there would be new problems
and all sorts of difficulties but, they were on the way and the past was behind them. They
would have to, as they did, wrestle with what lay ahead.
1. How God left no doubt about freedom and new life
1. He took them a longer way round - Exodus 13:17-18
[17] When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the
Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might
change their minds and return to Egypt.”
[18] So God led the people around by the desert
road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.
2. He went with them - Exodus 13:21-22
[21] By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way
and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.
[22] Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of
the people.
3. He confused Pharaoh and his army into thinking the Israelites were confused so he
would pursue them which he did - Exodus 14:1-9
4. He allowed them to face their enemy - Exodus 14:10-12
5. He Assured them of Victory - Exodus 14:13-14
6. He provided an escape route - Exodus 14:15-18 & 21-22
7. He took the Israelites through the sea but destroyed the Egyptians in it - Exodus
14:23-28
All this brings us back to 'who is in control' of us and our lives. Who or what is pulling our
strings? If it isn't the Lord, then who or what?
We are also brought back to the sovereign wisdom, love and care of our heavenly Father.
He does not always do the expected. Here he chooses, with good reason, an odd route, he
doesn't ward off their enemies but allows them to face them, he speaks to reassure and he
has a way through the problem (Red Sea in this case) all they have to do, say no more but
note the ongoing struggles, is trust and obey.
Reflect on those pointers.
How are you at hearing the voice / word of God and trusting and doing?
Knowing more of
scripture helps.
To have guidance and help from the Lord we have to discern his voice and go with it as he
can work wonders.
Now, that is not to suggest you go down to one of the marvellous French lakes, hold out
your walking stick and expect the water to part, or, trying to walk across!
Guidance from the Lord
- Ask:
A. Is this in accord with how God works in scripture and his ways and character as shown
there
B. Does it fit in with his good and perfect ways
C. Does it bring glory to God or is this answering my pride, vanity or selfish desires etc.
Remember - Jesus tells us that God, like a loving parent, has good things for those who trust
him and seek his ways.
Not necessarily what we want. Sometimes, his answer or the
direction he leads is not easy or comfortable - let's say it again - think the cross!
Of course, the cross wasn't the end, it was ghastly and painful, but it was and is the gateway
to new life where we experience victory for freedom.
2. How God leaves us with no doubt freedom and new life
1. He gives the empty tomb as the starting point with all that is contained in the Gospel
accounts where we are invited to look and see then weigh it up.
Who moved the
stone?
Come up with an adequate explanation for the empty tomb other than the
resurrection - they all fall down!
2. He gives us massive evidence - 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
3. He guarantees what is to come - 1 Corinthians 15:20 & 2 Corinthians 5:5
4. He marks us with his seal of ownership - 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
5. He assures us of and gives us new life - Colossians 3:1-4
6. He gives us a glimpse of what is to come - Revelation 21:1-8
7. He invites us to live the new life by casting off the old and being clothed with the
new - Colossians 3:5-14
Like the Children of Israel in our journey with him we will get it wrong and fail, but he loves
and forgives, so, we move on with him. We seek him day by and ask him to fill us with the
Holy Spirit, daily, to enable us to be the people he wants us to be. Above all, that is a
renewed people who show his love and sovereignty to the world and also a way of life that
is different, not pious, but living God's good ways.
All this is something we appropriate at a personal level and when we do we are then a child
of God, but as children of our heavenly father we belong to a family, as heirs of the
inheritance Messiah Jesus the king has won we are members of the Kingdom of God; we are
part of the body of Christ; we are a kingdom of priests a holy nation etc. We are a called-out
people - ecclesia or to use our word, church!
I pause again and ask we reflect on our personal response to God's love made known in
Jesus and the victory for freedom and new life he has won and imparts freely to all who
come to him in repentance and faith ready to receive.
Pause
Another pause coming, this time to reflect on whether we have been wandering away from
the Lord or allowing our main focus in life to be elsewhere
Pause
Finally
In what we have looked at do you:
• Rest in knowledge of forgiven sin and new life?
• Feel secure in that new life within God's loving care and provision?
• Have assurance that you will be part of the new heaven and earth - God's renewed
and eternal life?
I acknowledge most of us have our wobbles and issues, some ongoing, that we wrestle with
but as long as we are doing that within our relationship with God it can be OK. After that,
talk / phone / email!
Finally, Finally
This should fill us with adoration, love, worship and thanksgiving as well as confidence to
face life.
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