The Plot
Moses liberates the children of Israel from Egypt and embarks on a journey to Canaan under the directive of God himself. And it happens, when Pharaoh lets the people go, God does not lead them by the land of the Philistines, although it was the direct route to Canaan; for He says, ‘In case the people become discouraged when they have to fight, and they return to Egypt’. So He leads them through a far difficult route- by the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the LORD goes before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; so they travel by day and night:
After watching the Israelis go, the Egyptians have a change of heart. And they cannot not explain how the entire Egypt gave out such huge quantities of gold, sliver , clothes and livestock to their slaves. Pharaoh and his entire army, the Special Forces and Navy seals are in hot pursuit. Its operation ‘Roll back’.
Six days later the children of Israel are camped by the red sea” where the desert had “shut them in” (Exodus 14:2-3). Before them is the impossible sea, around them is the mountainous desert; and right behind them is the fast approaching Egyptian army ready for the onslaught. There is no way of escape. Just like the Normandy beach, the Red Sea beach is ready for a bloody slaughter. The Egyptian forces catch up with the escaping slaves but that night a pillar of fire separates them from the Israelis and prevents any advancement.
This is a classic plot of an action packed thriller.But what was about to happen here is what is more than intriguing. Let’s have a close look at the scene from different point of views – POV. (In film POV generally refers to a shot that directly represents a character’s view point. It determines how the audience feels about a character or situation.
The perspective of the Egyptian soldiers:
To the Egyptian soldiers, catching up with the escaping slaves was very encouraging moment. More so they were convinced that the Israelis did not know the route for escape and were now trapped and entangled in the wilderness. Victory was about to be on the Egyptians side! The commanders would soon be receiving medals, the slaves would soon be back to the construction sites. They were ready for the final press to a great conquest!
The Perspective Children of Israel:
Unlike Moses who was familiar with the land and understood the route that God told him to follow (Exodus 14:1-4), the Israelis encounter with reality was the moment the journey came to a dead end at the red sea beach. They were terrified, the moment of annihilation was hours away. They can hear the sounds of the horses and the soldiers sharpening their swords. They desired serving the Egyptians than dying in the wilderness.
The Dark Night
The night is dark and cloudy. A pillar of fire separates the sons of Israel and the Egyptians to prevent any Egypt advancement. The night presented the Egyptians and the sons of Israelite very different circumstances. But the turn of events and how this circumstances were turned around is was is majestic.
The Night to the Egyptians:
This was a night of Victory and Preparation to concur. Soldiers are on high moral in readiness to enter the hall of fame. This was a moment of Pharaoh and his commanders to strategize on the onslaught. The Soldiers are Sharpening of swords, painting their faces, oiling the chariots’ wheels,and painting graffiti on the weapons. The commanders and captains are posing for photos only to discover cameras weren’t in existent in that era.
The Night for Israel:
This was a dark night and Fearful night. A Night of uncertainty and worry. The enemy had caught up with them and was camping right at the beach. Only a pillar of fire was holding the lines against Egyptian advancements.
God told Moses to lift up his rod and stretch out his hand over the sea, and divide it so that the sons of Israel should go on dry ground through the midst of the sea
When Moses put his arm out at God’s command, the waters of the Red Sea parted and were seemingly frozen in place on either side of some dry land by a strong cold wind.
Exo 14:21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. And Jehovah caused the sea to recede by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the sons of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground.
Exo 15:8 And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea
The Egyptians not relenting, are again in hot pursuit.They go after the sons of Israel to the midst of the sea, with all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. No tanks, submarines or fighter jets existed then. If the encampment at the beach was not scary enough, this moment was the breaking point for Israel.
I will not assume that the sons of Israel marched on majestically singing “hallelujah kumbaya” since they knew that God was on their side. I bet they were perplexed and with great fear pushed their wagons and livestock with haste. Reaching the other end of the sea was matter of life and death.
Enters the defining moment
In the morning watch (from 3:00am – 6am) trouble and confusion befalls the Egyptians as God looks upon them. Chariots starts loosing wheels,the ground becomes muddy and the chariots and horses are unable to move. The reality draws to them that they aren’t going to make it to the other side. The soldiers sound the SOS Alerts and request booth Naval and Aerial reinforcements; only to discover their days there were no such brigades.
The Sons of Israel are now on dry land across the red sea. And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea. And the sea returned to its strength when the morning appeared.
And the waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen, all the army of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them. There did not remain so much as one of them. And Israel saw that great work which Jehovah did upon the Egyptians. And the people feared Jehovah, and believed Jehovah and His servant Moses.
The Facts: We too encounter similar challenging experiences. Some time we are faced with battles, situations and circumstances and end up in doubt if victory could ever be found. From our point of view there seems to be no hope nor an end to our turmoil.
Even with assurance that God is fighting for us we end up with the feeling of uncertainty, perplexity and wish the situations were different.
The Revelation: In the Darkest of the night, when it seemed the end of Israel was nay, God changed the situation and by the morning the Egyptians were finished.
In our darkest night, when we are confronted by impossibilities,we can trust in God for he knows the right moment to turn around the situation for the glory of his name. Even if defeat seems inevitable. It does not matter what you are up against, as long as God is on your side victory is assured.
Some Life situations are like Israel situation. We find ourselves in situations that are almost catching up with us, ready to finish us up. The children of Israel was caught up between the Egyptian army and the red sea. That is like being caught up by approaching bills, responsibilities, expectations, uncertainties. YET in that DARK NIGHT God will cause the strong East wind to blow a path for you. And when the night is over you will have a way out of your situation.
How did Israel leave Egypt? It was a night and day non stop rush for seven days, like no one’s business. Run for your life when God tells you it’s time to move. Yet (Exodus 12) they left with a lot of silver, gold, clothing, flocks, herds and very much cattle from the Egyptians. When it’s time to move from your “Egypt”, may you move with Gods favor and with much plunder.
Psa 124:2 Except that it was Jehovah who was for us when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us;
Isaiah 59:19. So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him
Ch 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.
Psa 37:12. The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them;
but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.
Psa 37:14.The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.
Jos 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage. Do not be afraid, neither be dismayed. For Jehovah your God is with you in all places where you go.
Psa 37:39.The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, BECAUSE they take refuge in him.
Deu 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage. Do not fear nor be afraid of them. For Jehovah your God is He who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.
2Ch 20:15 And he said, Listen, all Judah, and you people of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat! So says Jehovah to you, Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.
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Psa 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in tro
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