Crossing the Red Sea

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Scripture Lesson is Exodus 14:19-31.  This is an excerpt from the message.

 

Exodus 14:19-20  And the Angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them.  And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.   The guard that was set upon Israel’s camp where it not lay most exposed, which was in the rear.  The angel of God, whose ministry was made use of in the pillar of cloud and fire, went from before the camp of Israel, where they did not now need a guide, and it came behind them, where now they needed a guard. It became a wall of partition between them.  There it was of use to the Israelites, not only to protect them, but to light them through the sea.  It also confounded the Egyptians, so that they lost sight of their prey just when they were ready to lay hands on it.   God will separate between the precious and the vile.

 

Ver. 24-25:  And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians. And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.  See how they were troubled and perplexed.  For some hours they marched through the divided waters as safely and triumphantly as Israel did, sure of their victory.  But, in the morning watch, something or other from the pillar put them into great fear, and gave them apprehension of their ruin before it was brought upon them.  Now we see that the triumphing of the wicked is short (Job 20:5).  God has ways of frighten sinners into despair, before he plunges them into destruction.  They are struck with panic, they are embarrassed at every step.  The way grew deep, their hearts grew sad, their wheels dropped off.  See how God checks the violence of those that are in pursuit of his people.

 

They were in great pursuit, but now they cried, “Let us feel from the face of Israel”.  All of a sudden Israel has become a terror to them, as they had been to Israel.  They want to flee but can’t.  Men will not be convinced, till it is too late, those who meddle with God’s people meddle to their own hurt.

 

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee.  Isaiah 43:2