The children of Israel went out of Egypt with a high hand--that is they went out rejoicing and claiming to trust God with all their hearts. They had eaten the Passover and seen God spare their firstborn. Miraculously the Egyptians had given them their gold and silver just as the Lord said they would. They walked out of Egypt in the night just as the Lord had commanded. Rejoicing over their new freedom they followed Moses with much delight.
Therefore, 600,000 men, plus women and children, followed Moses to the plains of Pi-ha-hiroth. There they camped between a great fortified wall called Migdol and the Red Sea, over against one of the Egyptian idols called Baal-zephon. In all their zeal they probably never realized that the place they camped had them shut in on every side with only one way in and one way out. And very soon that one way filled with Pharaoh and his mighty Egyptian army. But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon.And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: (Exodus 14: 9, 10.)
The hands of the children of Israel were not so high now, but hanged down. They were sore afraid. They chided with Moses. But they did not understand that it was not Moses who put this great trial before them, but the LORD.
Back when they had reached Etham they could have continued east through the desert where Pharaoh's chariot wheels could have never pursued them. They would have been across Egypt's border and in the wilderness in no time. But the LORD works entirely opposite to human reasoning. The Lord sent them another way to teach both Israel and the Egyptians that he is LORD. Exodus 14: 1: (At Etham) And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2: Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea. 3: For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. 4: And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so. 5: And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us? 6: And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him: 7: And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them. 8: And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand.9: But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon. 10: And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid:
After the Lord reveals himself in a sinner they are filled with rejoicing. They are free! There is no better feeling than freedom in Christ Jesus the Lord. Yet, soon we discover that we are still in this body of death, in this world of sin, and very soon we face a trail just as the children of Israel did here. But God put them where they were and placed the Red Sea before them. Are you a child of God? Is their a great trial before you? If you are one whom God has everlastingly loved then be sure of this, he put the trial there. He did it that you may know that I am the LORD.
When the Lord parted the Red Sea and they followed the Lord then their fleshly fear ceased, their chiding and casting blame ended, they saw that the Lord indeed is Salvation and they sang a new song...I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously:...The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him...Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy...Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?...Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation...by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased...Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established...The LORD shall reign for ever and ever. (Ex 15: 1-18.)
As believers we can be sure that when we grow dull towards our Lord or too proudful of his grace, he will be faithful to give a great trial, bring us to see the nothingness that we are in ourselves, and then will he deliver us so that once again our only song will be to the praise of the glory of his grace. Let us be thankful for the faithfulness of our God.
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LOCATION & TELEPHONE Rocky Hill Firehouse, 2nd floor 150 Washington Street, Rocky Hill, NJ, 08553 Pastor's Telephone: 615-513-4464
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES Sunday 10 AM Bible Class 11 AM Morning Worship Thursday 7:00 PM Mid-week Service (The first Sunday of each month, morning worship begins at 10am followed by observing the Lord's Table. Afterwards we have lunch together.)