Only Be Still

The Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?” (Exodus 14:10–12, NIV 1984).

My Musings – “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, ‘If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.’ So, God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt armed for battle.” (Exodus 13:17–18, NIV 1984). Just because they were “armed for battle,” did not mean they were prepared for battle. Especially when they “looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them.” Arguably the most powerful warriors at that time.

But there they were. The Red Sea before them and the Egyptian army behind them. Could it be that God was not the best strategist in the world? No, God had the Israelites (and the Egyptians) just where He wanted them. Eventually, other nations would be affected as well.

The Egyptians – “I [God] will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” (Exodus 14:4, NIV). After driving the Israelites out of Egypt, Pharaoh and the people, had a change of heart. “‘What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!’ So, [Pharaoh] had his chariot made ready and took his army with him. He took six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them.” Exodus 14:5-7, NIV 1984). They had no idea what they were up against.

The Israelites – They were armed for battle, most likely for what they thought they might encounter before them, not what might be coming after them. But, when they saw “the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord.” (Exodus 14:10, NIV 1984). But they had no reason to fear. God was with them. “Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.'” (Ex 14:13–14, NIV 1984).

Other Nations – “I know that the Lord has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt.” (Joshua 2:9–10, NIV 1984). What God had done, was still remembered a generation later, by a distant people.

My Advice – There will be times when you feel that God has put you in a bad spot, with the “Red Sea” in front of you, and the “Egyptian army” behind. No where to retreat, and facing an adversary that you are no match for. But it is in situation likes these that you must “stand firm.” And grow in faith.

Don’t get in God’s way, “you need only to be still.” Things may “come against [you] with sword and spear and javelin [whether figuratively or literally], but [you can] come against [them] in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel.” (1 Samuel 17:45, NIV 1984).

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but [you must] trust in the name of the Lord [your] God. They [will] brought to their knees and fall, but [you can] rise up and stand firm.” (Psalm 20:7–8, NIV 1984). No matter how bleak things may seem, “trust in the name of the Lord.”