Read Exodus 14
Highlights:
Miracle after miracle. The salvation of Israel preserved by manna and water — both are types of Christ, the Living Word (John 4:10-11; 7:37-39; I Cor. 10:3-4).
Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness (Ex. 14:12).
The Israelites had journeyed only a short distance toward the promised land when they saw Pharaoh's army rushing toward them in a desperate effort to recover his slaves. Pharaoh, with six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt . . . . pursued after the children of Israel . . . . and overtook them . . . . The children of Israel . . . were sore afraid: and . . . cried out unto the LORD. And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? (14:7-11). When the Israelites cried out unto the LORD, it was not in faith but in fear and bitter criticism of Moses.
The Israelites should have believed God and trusted in His loving care, for they had seen His miracles in Egypt that had set them free. However, when they faced what seemed to them impossible circumstances, they chose not to trust God but decided to let fear overwhelm their hearts. By contrast, Moses' faith was in Almighty God. Although he did not know how the Lord would save them, he confidently said: Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD. . . . The LORD shall fight for you. . . . And the LORD overthrew the Egyptians . . . . the waters returned, and covered the chariots . . . and all the host of Pharaoh (14:13-14, 27-28).
Although God had again saved them, just three days later they arrived at Marah to discover they could not drink the bitter water. And the people (again) murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? (15:24). The Lord challenged them to have faith by saying: If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to (listen to and obey) His Commandments . . . I will put none of these diseases upon thee . . . for I am the LORD that healeth thee (15:26). God then led them to Elim, where (there) were twelve wells of water (15:27).
While things were going well, there was no apparent difference between the faith of Moses and that of the people. But, note that the same trial that revealed the Israelites' unbelief also revealed Moses' faith in the Word of God. The same is true today. The trials that we go through will reveal the depth of our faith. It is important to remember that we have been freed from Satan and the power of sin as typified by Pharaoh, a type of Satan, and Egypt, symbolic of the world.
For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly (Ps. 84:11).
Thought for Today:
A “worldly Christian” has little, if any, influence.
Christ Revealed:
Through the bread (manna) from heaven (Ex. 16:4,15). Jesus said: I am the Living Bread which came down from heaven (John 6:51; also 6:32-48).
Word Studies:
14:8 with an high hand, triumphantly; 14:17 get me honour upon, assert my authority; 14:27 to his strength, to its normal depth; 15:14 Palestina, Philistia, land of the Philistines; 15:23 Marah, bitterness; 16:4 prove, test; 16:18 mete, measure.
Prayer Suggestion: Pray for a spirit of humility and submission before the Lord (John 3:30-31).
Optional Reading: Matthew 22
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 100:4