Free Indeed

Free Indeed

Exodus 14

“Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the Lord as you have requested.  Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me.”

Pharoah, King of Egypt following the final plague in Exodus 12:31-32

The Israelites had been slaves in Egypt for 430 years.  Moses had been asking Pharoah to “let my people go” and God had increasingly compelled him to set the people free through an increasing demonstration of His power through various miraculous plagues inflicted on the Egyptians.  Finally, Pharoah concedes and sets the people free.

However, just two chapters later, Pharoah second-guesses his decision to set his slave labor force free and decides to pursue them with an army of horses and chariots, horsemen and troops.

Pharoah and his army catch up to the multitude of Israelites – some six hundred thousand men plus women and children – at the border of the Red Sea.  They were trapped.  Caught between a fierce mob of Egyptian army and the Red Sea.  They needed a miracle.  Again.

The people immediately fell back into fear.  Moses reassured 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.” (Exodus 14:13-14)

God delivers the Israelites by parting the Rea Sea so that all of them could walk safely through to the other side on dry ground.  Once they had all safely passed through the sea, God told Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” (Exodus 14:26). The outcome … “Not one of them survived.” (Exodus 14:28b)

Every single Israelite was now safely on the other side of the Red Sea.  They had been delivered.  They had been saved.  And every single one of their oppressors were dead.  When the King of Egypt sets you free, he can change his mind.  When the King of Kings sets you free, you will be free indeed.

“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!”
John 8:36

 

Leave a Reply