Exodus 14:13, 14 - When Trapped - Just Look to Jesus!
Exo. 14:13, 14: When Trapped - Just Look to Jesus!
Exodus 14:13, 14 (NLT) But Moses told the people, "Don't be
afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The
Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will
fight for you. Just stay calm."
INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
14:1-15:21 The crossing of the Red Sea (or Sea of Reeds), the
climactic part of the Exodus from Egypt, is given both in a prose account
(ch. 14) and in poetry, a psalm of praise to God (ch. 15). [Nelson
SB]
The Exodus of Israel from slavery in Egypt was the great Old
Testament example of God's saving action in history. "Saved'' (Hebrew
hoshia'), also the root for "deliverance,'' means "to be wide and
spacious'' or "to develop without hindrance.'' It thus signified freedom or
victory. Here it referred to God's victory over the Pharaoh and the
freedom Israel gained through her deliverance from Egypt. The important
point here is the victory of God, not the drowning of the Egyptians.
This historic victory of God established His Lordship beyond dispute.
Salvation is the work of God. Besides Him, there is no Savior (Isa 43:11;
Jer 14:8; Hos 13:4). The Exodus points beyond itself to the
continuation of God's saving action in history. It became the basis for the
hope that God would one day complete what He had begun. That day came
when Jesus, the One greater than Moses, led the new Exodus,
delivering us from our bondage to sin (Heb 3:3). [Disciple SB]
Even after the mighty miracles preceding the Exodus itself, the
people did not respond with faith. Rather they murmured and complained
against Moses. This is a continuing theme throughout the book and should
be viewed in the light of several facts: (1) Not all of the people
were Israelites (12:38), and not all the Israelites were equally
strong in their faith. Their cries arose because they saw no human
solution to their dilemma. (2) Written Scripture was not yet available.
Thus, each Israelite did not have equal opportunity for understanding
the nation's overall redemptive history. The ways of the Lord must
have seemed much more obscure to the average Israelite than to Moses
or Aaron. (3) Christian history leaves little room for judgmental
attitudes, since Christians also have made many errors from lack of
theological insight. [Believer's SB]
Although the alarm of the Hebrews is understandable, the noble
courage and confidence of Moses is surprising. A truly remarkable
transformation had come over him since the time he timidly remonstrated with
the Lord (chs. 4:1, 10, 13; 5:22, 23). Though he may have but
vaguely understood that God would "be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon
all his host" (v. 4), he now remained calm and confident that all
would be well. His own quiet confidence is reflected in his admonition
to the people to wait patiently for the Lord to deliver them. There
was obviously little else they could do. Moses knew not how God
might accomplish His will, but his own experience in working with God
in the land of Egypt made it certain He was fully able to rescue
His people, however unlikely such a prospect might appear. Moses
himself was distressed that his people manifested so little faith (PP
284).
APPLICATION COMMENTARY
Despite their harsh words, Moses did not lash out against the
complaining people. Instead he sought to encourage them with a promise that
they would see the salvation of the LORD. [Nelson SB]
Positive attitudes can influence others. The people were hostile
and despairing, but Moses encouraged them to watch the wonderful way
God would rescue them. Moses had a positive attitude! We may not be
chased by an army, but we may still feel trapped. Instead of giving in
to despair, we should adopt Moses' attitude to "stand firm and. . .
see the deliverance the Lord will bring." There was no apparent way
of escape, but the Lord opened up a dry path through the sea.
Sometimes we find ourselves caught in a problem and see no way out. Don't
panic; God can open up a way. [Life Application SB]
God knew Pharaoh's plans and saw to it that Israel was cared
for. This is providence, which means "to see before." He is
Jehovah-Jireh (Gen. 22:14), "the Lord will see to it" No matter what the enemy
plans to do to you, God has already taken care of it and will tell you
what to do. [Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren Wiersbe]
God supernaturally guided Israel through the appearance of a
cloudy-fiery pillar that either moved ahead of them or stood waiting over the
camp. The Israelites had a clear, visible, and unmistakable indication
of what God wanted them to do.
Despite such a clear indication, the Israelites were terrified
when the pillar led them into what appeared to be a trap on the edge
of a large body of water.
Desperate circumstances led Moses to reassure Israel. He called
on them to stand firm and watch to see what the LORD would do. We
may find ourselves in desperate circumstances at times. When we do,
we too need to stand firm, and expect God to act.
Moses' faith was not displaced. The waters which parted to let
Israel through rolled over the Egyptian army, killing every soldier.
Circumstances need not create fear, or even make us waver. Certainly no
circumstances should cause panic as long as we have sought and tried to follow
God's leading. He remains able to make us a path through the sea. [The
365-Day Devotional Commentary]
Trapped against the sea, the Israelites faced the Egyptian army
sweeping in for the kill. The Israelites thought they were doomed. After
watching God's powerful hand deliver them from Egypt, their only response
was fear, whining, and despair. Where was their trust in God? Israel
had to learn from repeated experience that God was able to provide
for them. God has preserved these examples in the Bible so that we
can learn to trust him the first time. By focusing on God's
faithfulness in the past we can face crises with confidence rather than with
fear and complaining. Trusting God is the most reliable weapon
against despair. [Life Application SB]
"Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord."
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 up on 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." [Morning and Evening by Charles H. Spurgeon]
How We Live - Courageous In Trials
The Israelites had just been freed from slavery by a series of
miracles. They had left their land of sorrow and were headed into a bright
new future - only now they found themselves trapped at the edge of
the Red Sea with Pharaoh's army in pursuit. You might think their
faith would be strong after all they had seen God do to the Egyptians.
Sadly, the people forgot about God's power and responded in panic as
the dust of the advancing army rose into the sky behind them.
Their lack of faith is startling, yet how often do we find
ourselves losing courage, losing hope, and complaining in the midst of
difficulties? God does not let us experience trials because he wants to see us
suffer; he allows these difficulties to help us live by faith and find
courage in the strength of our Lord.
Don't be like the Israelites, responding with panic when trouble
comes your way. Instead, do as the Bible says, "Don't be afraid. Just
stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today." [The One Year Bible
for New Believers Exo. 14:13, 14]
CONCLUDING THOUGHT
JESUS CARES
When your heart is heavy and burdened
And you can't see your way through,
While you're going through trials and testings
And you don't know what to do.
There's a friend above who watches
And He cares what happens to you;
This wonderful one is Jesus
And He will see you through.
He cares when your heart is troubled
And the tears come falling fast:
He will come and heal your broken heart
And make it a thing of the past.
When the battle seems too great to win
And hard the enemy's blast,
Remember the battle is not yours but the Lord's
And against Him Satan can't last.
So keep your eyes upon Jesus
And your troubles on Him roll;
He will fight your battles for you
And His love to you unfold.
He is a great and wonderful God
And His love as pure as gold;
Put your trust in Him today
And you will find rest for your soul.
by Linna L. Lyle
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