Faith, Obedience, and the Power of God (Exodus 14:15-31)

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you knew the path of obedience but continued praying? Sometimes we know precisely what God wants us to do, but we persist in prayer as if we expect a new answer. God has made promises and issued calls in our lives, but we sometimes mistakenly believe He might alter them if we persist in prayer. I am not attempting to discourage prayer, especially persistent prayer. However, occasionally we mistake persistence for procrastination. When God is actively working on our behalf, we need to pray, take obedient action, and observe His powerful work.

Moses's Faithful Obedience

Moses cried out to God after the Israelites grumbled against him in fear of the Egyptians (Ex. 14:11-14). God summoned him to faithful action, requiring a fundamental step toward obedience. This step didn't demand genius or expertise on Moses' part. He simply had to lift up a staff, stretch out his hand over the water, and divide the sea. Those last three words should slow us down a bit. Divide the sea. Still, the action took great faith because it was impossible for Moses to accomplish in his own strength. How could waving a stick over water possibly part the sea? With man it is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.

God's work against Egypt required Moses's faithful obedience. God hardened the Egyptians’ hearts, leading them to chase the Israelites and enter the sea to their doom. God did this so He could get glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen (v.18). This faithful obedience didn't require great wisdom, strength, or insight. Yet, it did require Moses to trust his mighty, powerful, and all-wise God. God's mission was glory, and God's means was Moses.

The Presence and Power of God

Notice God's presence in this scene. The Israelites were afraid, and impending doom seemed inevitable, but the Angel of God—perhaps even Jesus himself before taking on human flesh—was among them! He stood before them and then moved behind them, along with the pillar of cloud, shielding and guiding them throughout the night! How comforting is the presence and power of God and His Angel? How much more amazing it is to know that God is with us, even when his call to obedience seems impossible. When we are His and we walk according to His will, we never will be left alone to fend for ourselves.

This night became unforgettable for those Israelites. Moses obeyed God and stretched his hand over the sea. The Lord and His miraculous power over creation brought a strong east wind and made the waters of the Red Sea (Heb. Sea of Reeds) wall up and form an area of dry ground for the Israelites to walk upon. This was no leisurely stroll! The Egyptians were still in hot pursuit, and the Israelite people still needed to move with haste as Egypt's Army pursued them with horses, chariots, and horsemen.

God’s Glory and Power on Full Display

Just around 6:00 a.m. or so, during the morning watch, the Lord looked down on the Egyptians and sent them into a panic. What in the world was happening?! What was God doing among the Egyptians? Why were they so panicked? He was winning the battle. He clogged (Heb. bound) their chariot wheels, though it likely wasn't mud since the ground was dry. This was the power of God! The Egyptians said, “Let us flee from before Israel for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians” (v.25).

After the Lord got Egypt where he wanted them, He commanded Moses to stretch out his hand again over the sea. We can imagine that it was much easier to obey God this time since he had just seen the waters part and the Egyptian Army sent into disarray. This time there was a great reversal. The waters began to flow like normal. No wall. No wind. No work. Just water. Yet our children's Bibles and Sunday school memories don't serve us too well. The Egyptians didn't just drown because the water returned. No, “the Lord shook off (threw) the Egyptians into the midst of the sea” (v. 27; see ESV footnote). The Egyptians were like those annoying sticky plants that cling to your clothes when you're out for a walk in the woods. God shook them off to keep them away from Israel.

God's Glory and Our Hope of Redemption

Israel won because God won! Egypt lost because God fought the battle! The glory doesn't go to Moses or the Israelites. Israel walked on dry ground while Egypt drowned in the waters of judgment! Israel saw God's wonders and rejoiced. Egypt saw God's wrath and received the full cup. Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians (v. 30). As the Egyptian bodies washed up on the seashore, Israel remembered the promises of God. They saw his mighty works firsthand. His great power drew them to fear him, and they believed in the Lord and Moses that day!

The Lord's work in this great Exodus points to hope for Christians today. Jude 4-5 teaches that Jesus, our only Master and Lord, saved a people out of Egypt. “The LORD” in Exodus 14:30 is the three-in-one God we worship. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit worked together to rescue Israel from Egypt. This is why Jude can attribute this work to Jesus. God has the power to rescue us as well. He can rescue us from any sin, any trial, or any temptation. The powerful God who showed up in Egypt shows up as a very present help in our time of need today (Ps. 46:1). A mighty fortress is our God! Take your trials to him and trust him to fight for you! Greater is He who is at work in us than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

Reflection Questions

• How can we discern between persistent prayer and obedient action in our lives? How do fellow believers in our local church help us with this discernment?
• How does Moses’s obedience help us to obey God when He calls us to seemingly impossible tasks?
• How does God’s presence and power in Egypt help us trust Him more today?
• How can we apply these truths about the presence and power of God practically in our lives today?

Prayer points

• Thank God for His continued presence. Thank Him that the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead is in us to help us bear spiritual fruit and put to death the deeds of the body.
• Praise God for His glorious work in rescuing us from the greater enemies, sin, and death. Glorify God for His power displayed against Egypt, and glorify Him for doing the same to sin and death in our lives. 
• Ask God to give you strength to obediently do His will. Confess your inability and fear (if applicable), and ask God to give you the desire and strength to live obediently for His glory.​