The Red Sea in front, the Egyptian army behind. That is the situation of the Israelites after leaving Egypt in the Great Exodus. They have nowhere to go and nowhere to hide. And the most amazing thing of all is that God put them there.
God told Moses to turn the people back and camp between Migdol and the Sea. All the while the Egyptians were massing their army to set out after them, having regretting letting them leave. God’s purpose was two-fold. He intended to eliminate the Egyptian army so that it could not pursue the Israelites and to show the Israelites His amazing power. (Exodus 14:13-14)
All the Israelites had to do was stand still and be quiet and let the LORD God Almighty fight for them: “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” [Exodus 14:14 NIV]
Or, as the Holman translates it: “The Lord will fight for you; you must be quiet.” [Exodus 14:14 HCSB]
Stand still. Be quiet. Oh, how we hate to stand still and be quiet! Let’s move! Let’s raise a ruckus. Let’s storm the ramparts!
The LORD fought for the Israelites. The waters parted. Three to six million people crossed on dry ground. Then God released the waters as the Egyptians tried the same, killing the entire army, and that all happened in a day. A day!
It may seem like there is a great sea of opposition in front and an army chasing us from behind, but Beloved, the LORD is still fighting for us. Things can change in a moment. Let us look expectantly to the LORD for deliverance! Amen!
