The Great Escape

Well, as we resume her study of the life of Moses, we come to one of the best-known events in all of Scripture, the glorious deliverance of the children of Israel through the Red Sea and the subsequent judgment of God on the pursuing Egyptians. This is the event in all of Old Testament history and it's repeatedly referred to throughout Scripture as an example of the invincible power of God. We saw an example of that last Sunday as we were studying in Matthew chapter 2 Matthew quotes Hosea chapter 11 verse one. You may remember where Hosea says I Egypt I called my son, my son being a reference to the nation of Israel that the Lord called and redeemed his son, Israel, and of Egypt, and we sign and we believe that our God is stronger. Our God is greater. God is not only stronger than the false gods of Egypt, but our God is stronger than all of the world's false gods their ideologies and philosophies in the religions so the deliverance of Israel through the Red Sea. I'm calling it the great escape is aware is the classic Old Testament example of God's invincibility and that the expression God has brought Israel. I don't Egypt or similar forms occurs 14 times the book of Deuteronomy the point, of course. Of all of the references to this event are we going to read about is this. If God demonstrated his invincible power then what of what are we to fear not, why do we study events which happened over 3000 years ago. God doesn't change and he is still the invincible God.

The preamble to the 10 Commandments states according from Exodus to verse 20 I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of a house of slavery is the preamble to the 10 Commandments.

Now turn with me to Deuteronomy chapter 6 there are many references in the old and New Testament to the events of the redemption through the Red Sea. It is want to read three of them in fact, just to prove the point. Deuteronomy 6/5 book of the Old Testament. I'm told in the boardroom that many of you want went out and bought Bibles the date that's great. I was really encouraged and the bookstores open tonight. For those of you who have not yet got the Bible you know you are right. Deuteronomy 6 were going to get good use of your Bible.

Deuteronomy 6 verse 20 what your son asks you in time to come.

What is the meaning of the testimonies in the statutes and the rules that the Lord our God has commanded you, then you shall say to your son. We were Pharaoh slaves in Egypt and the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand passed down from generation to generation.

Psalm 136.

There are many, many examples are the Psalms of this event was rate of one Psalm 136. It is begins to give thanks to the Lord for he is good for his steadfast love endures forever. That's the general principle that God is good, his steadfast love endures forever. Can you give us some examples of that yes is the psalmist look down at verse 10. To him who struck Don the firstborn of Egypt reference to the Passover for his steadfast love endures forever, and brought Israel from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever with a strong hand and an outstretched arm for his steadfast love endures forever.

To him who divided the Red Sea into for his steadfast love endures forever. I made Israel pass through the midst of it for his steadfast love endures forever. But overthrew overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, but his steadfast love endures forever.

What's the psalmist doing is looking back as the example, the outstanding example of God's steadfast love to his people. This is what God did, and we are celebrating that now because that same God who loved his ancient people then is the same God who loves you know, for his steadfast love endures forever.

And then in one example, in the New Testament. Hebrews chapter 11 Hebrews 11 that you Bible view the pages are sticking together, but were going to get through all Hebrews Chapter 11 the great chapter of those who lived by faith Hebrews 11 verse 29 by faith but is it the people across the Red Sea is on dry land but the Egyptians when they attempted to do the same would run just some examples of the constant reminder of the power of God and of the faithfulness of God to his people not want the answer. This redemption from is from Egypt crossing the Red Sea, while the Exodus was to the children of Israel. The redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ is to us, but we saw that symbolized the baptism we have been in some of the Scriptures that were right. I was very impressed were nearby at Daniel and look what you how old he was with his wonderful reading of the Scriptures in the room with three other got was commit future preachers choosing text like that we celebrate our deliverance far greater than the deliverance from the bondage of Egypt.

We celebrate a greater redemption than crossing the Red Sea.

Is it what you meant do you mean as followers of Jesus. We celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ through his redemptive work conquer sin conquers that defeats the devil and we trust in a God whose power is invincible. Paul writes Ephesians 1 1920 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places. Is there any more powerful event than the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ absolutely no because he lives all who trust in him will live forever. I would ask this Chapter 14 and nine coverage at the time that if you haven't already done so. In Exodus 14 we see several themes were going to focus on three of them. Lithium of gods in invincible power. Secondly, the theme of God's unfailing faithfulness. Third, the theme of God's triumphant sovereignty is invincible power is unfailing faithfulness and his triumphant sovereignty of God is for us and he is who can stand against the sky was the background to ask this Chapter 14 well though. How did the children of Israel and up Egypt well in Genesis 15 verses 13 and 14. There is a prophecy that Abraham's offspring, the children, the descendents of Abraham will be sojourners in the land that is not theirs. It's Egypt and will be servants. There are slaves to Pharaoh and they will be afflicted for 400 years the Israelites were in Egypt Egyptian bondage for 400 years, but there's a prophecy I will bring judgment on the nation that they start Egypt and afterward they shall come out with great possessions and that prophecy was fulfilled. Remember, Joseph is sold by his brothers as a slave as Joseph becomes an Egypt then he rises to great power.

He predicts the farm and he becomes Prime Minister, in Egypt and through Joseph his brothers in the family come to Egypt to get food.

And in this way, the offspring of Abraham come to Egypt and fulfillment of that ancient prophecy and while there.

In Egypt they never forget the promise of their own country. For example, Hebrews 11 verse 22.

By faith Joseph, at the end of his life he committed in Genesis 50 made mention of the Exodus of the Israelites and give directions concerning his bones. Joseph was going to die in Egypt but his heart was always in the promised land and so is his dying.

He saying to his descendents.

When you leave Egypt.

And when you get into the promised land.

Take my bones with you and but even there is indeed they do on the death of Joseph that arises. This new Pharaoh did know Joseph imposes slavery on the Israelites and God raises up this remarkable man Moses to lead the people without of some of the circumstances of that Moses is the go to Pharaoh and say let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness repeatedly Pharaoh's heart is hardened and so the Lord sends these 10 plagues on Egypt, culminating in the death of the firstborn on the night of the Passover federal repeatedly defined the Lord Exodus 5 verse two who is the Lord that I should obey his voice and let Israel go. I don't know the Lord and moreover I will not let Israel go. His heart is hard and this might of the demonstration of the power of God in spite of the demonstration that God is more powerful than the pulse Egyptian gods. He does not acknowledge the part of God, but no is going to acknowledge that this God, the true God is greater. The Lord is vindicated over Egypt read with me the first four verses of Exodus 14 then the Lord said to Moses tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of my hot hair off between McDowell and the sea in front of the house. The phone you shall include camp facing it by the sea for Pharaoh will save the people of Israel there wandering in the land. The wilderness has shut them in and I will harden Pharaoh's heart and he will pursue them and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his horse and with us this, the Egyptians shall no that I am the Lord, and they did so. So Israel is delivered from Egypt by the Lord strong hands that was told was going to happen.

The chapter 13 verse 16 so the Israelites the day of the Passover. We covered this a few weeks ago. They leave Egypt leave Egypt. But we read in chapter 13 verse 17 that God did not leave them by way of the land, the Philistines, although that was near God was going to lead them in the zigzag way member that message and now in chapter 14 in these opening verses that we just read, God rather strangely instructs Moses to tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp no doubt Israelites were questioning the Lord.

We why would they be in this spot and this seemingly very vulnerable spot, but they were going to learn as we learn as we follow Jesus that we are exactly for the Lord intended us to be joystick zigzag you think of her room I hear. I did this happen to me and then as you look back you realize that you are exactly for the Lord wanted you to be the Lord again hardens Pharaoh's heart 11 people going. I was heart is hardened and is going to pursue them, but they destruction of the Egyptians demonstrates that the Lord receives all of the glory. Verse four. Yes I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his horse and the Egyptians shall no that I the Lord God is working out his promises member as the Lord calls Abraham by clearing Genesis 12 Lord said something to Abraham which is very very powerful the one who dishonors you I will curse Abraham's descendents, the Jewish nation have been persecuted like no other nation in the world that persecution continues to this day.

But here is a declaration of God.

Those who dishonors you Israel. I will curse Egypt at the southern Israel and so is cursed and the Lord fulfills his promises and his purposes to his people. You say it took a long, long time. Yes 400 years. God doesn't work without timetable.

Do we relive the very instant society we want everything that happened now, today, not even tomorrow, but no dog is going to demonstrate his power over this evil king and these evil people. You see, you cannot oppose the powerful hand of God because God doesn't act immediately and judgment. We tend to think we are all right and people shake their fist at God in their hearts become harder and harder. But God is able, in a moment to totally change things.

Proverbs 21 verse one the king's heart is a stream of water.

The hand of the Lord becomes that whatever he wills you go before human judge on the ruler of the difficult boss God can intervene in the split-second never ever oppose God God as opposed to the proud Pharaoh was a proud man. The Egyptians were private people.

They opposed God never ever oppose God. God's power is invincible and now Israel is assured of a certain victory which read verses five through nine.

For Pharaoh and his army pursue the Israelites when the king of Egypt was told that the people at flat the mind of Pharaoh and the servants was changed towards the people and they said was this week done that we have let Israel go from serving us.

There were slaves but will be thinking so he made ready his chariot to his army with him took 600 chosen chariots and all the other charters of Egypt with officers over all of them and the Lord harden the hearts of Pharaoh king of Egypt and he pursued the people of Israel. While the people of Israel going out defiantly. The Egyptians pursue pursued them all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and horsemen on his army and overtook them and camped at the sea by Pai Teixeira in front of the phone as we read in verse one, so the people leave Egypt that fiddle regrets it things. What were we doing these were slaves that were serving us. Let's go after them and so we have the most powerful army is a superpower 600 chosen chariots. We read in verse seven all of the other charters of Egypt with officers over them. The superpower is chasing people who had just come right of slavery, but little did Pharaoh and the Egyptians. No, but the Lord was setting a trap for Pharaoh in Egypt by getting the people in the right spot yes is power is invincible and God is always faithful to his promises. And God cares for his people and that we read of the fear let's requote was rated in fact in verse 10, when Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes and the hold Egyptians were marching after them and they feared greatly in the people of Israel cried unto the Lord said to Moses, is it because there's no graves in Egypt that you've taken us away to die in the wilderness. One of you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt is not just what we said to you in Egypt. Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians, but it would've been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness, not from a natural standpoint you can understand the fear of the Israelites country when there's thousands of these soldiers were there chariots coming after you and Israelites are trapped in this place. These are the Egyptians that had beaten them captive and slavery had murdered the their baby Boris, I noticed what Israelites do looking for someone to blame and Moses, the leader is right there with you doing even the right after delivery from Egypt. They take the rise of the Lord. They see the Army as they see the chariots and instead of trusting the Lord. They gave way to the fear, and even go so far as to think well and doing better off if we stayed in Egypt. After all, if were going to die better dying in Egypt what would something to eat. Then, in this wretched wilderness as Moses responds verses 13 and 14 to the great verses of the Bible and Moses said to the people, fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord which will work for you today for the Egyptians whom you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for your and you only and you have only to be silence.

Moses issues three commands, fear not, stand firm. See the salvation of the Lord, the marvelous using their fears and overcome the trust in the Lord and Moses, but instead of giving way to their emotions. The emotion of fear is a very strong emotion is that if the stand firm, instead of looking at the Egyptians. They have to stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord. Yes, once again, they're going to see the salvation of the Lord. We saw that on the night of the Passover and are going to see the again they will never ever see the Egyptians again. Never again will you be slaves to the Egyptians, all you have to do is to be silence on the Lord.

Verse 14 will fight for you. Reminds us of some 46,000 we still are. God stop striving stop your worrying stop talking stop your complaining presale. The client stop and look at God's plan. Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord.

One important lesson for you and me in life sometimes seems seems that were against the brick wall doesn't there's no way forward.

Life as we know it is changed.

We sometimes got rise of the Lord, don't there's someone here like that you forgotten the Lord was God saying to you today. Don't be afraid, be strong and courageous. The Lord is on your side, the Lord will fight for you. He delivered the Israelites from the slavery of Egypt and was well able to take care of them even though they were between us. See an approaching powerful army. Matthew Henry writes, God brings us into straits that he may bring us to our needs no way out here. They are backed into a corner, as it were, and Egyptians are coming almost hear them with her chariots and their horses and all of their armor layer soldiers in the Israelites knew how vicious and cruel Egyptians were what were they to do but to trust God to God's plans in invincible. The Lord is not going to demonstrate his power and his sovereignty.

Verse 15 the Lord said to Moses, why do you cry to be tell the people of Israel to go forward, lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea undivided that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground seems pretty silly to stop but the lift up your staff yes Moses. That's why we needed and I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they show going after them and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his hostess charters in his horsemen and the Egyptians shall no that I am the Lord, Yahweh, whom I've gotten what I've gotten glory over Pharaoh's chariots and his horsemen. Then the angel of God who was going before the list of Israel moved and went behind them and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them coming between them coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel and there was a cloud in the darkness and that lit up the night without one coming near the other all night. The children of Israel to go forward.

Was Moses to do Moses.

I just want you to lift up your staff.

The staff of the Lord had used in the miracles in Egypt. It seems so easy all introduced obey so that the people of Israel. Verse 16 may go through the sea on dry ground.

This is what happens when commentator says that the Egyptians believed that in war the acts of the king alone kind he is invincible may unassailable. The Egyptians believed that the Pharaoh was a God and that he was in the invincible, and he was unassailable. This great event is going to show that no force on earth. Even the superpower Egypt can stand against the Lord. So the hearts of again hardens they will know I am the Lord, the Lord is going to receive all of the glory of the Lord's invincible power is again going to be demonstrated. The victory over the Egyptians was not because of the power of the strategy of the millage rate my Israel is far from it did absolutely nothing for this victory to stand still to watch it were to trust, obey buster casual referred to the ordinance of baptism is an act of obedience. Simple act of the beaches leases. God doesn't trust God and to obey him from first to last in Scripture, there's this great principles of of believing God and then acting on that belief and acts of obedience and is a visible manifestation of God's power and glory.

The angel of God, and the pillar moved behind the Israelites.

It was a reminder that between them and the Egyptians.

There was God and there is no way that the Egyptians can defeat God. God was with them, God was going to fight for them. God is unstoppable.

God's power and God's plans on invincible you're going to see might of God's power and sovereignty are seen in the deliverance of his writ of the Israelites, and the judgment of the Egyptians. Verse 21 then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea and the Lord drove the sea back by strongest window might and made the sea dryland the door that were divided and the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters bring a wall to them on the right hand and on the left. Egyptians pursued and went after them into the midst of the sea all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and his horsemen and then the morning and in the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and the client would dine on the Egyptians forces and through the Egyptian forces into a panic clogging the chariot wheels so that they drove heavily and the Egyptians said let us flee from before Israel for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians and the Lord said to Moses, stretch your hand over the sea that the waters may come back upon the Egyptians upon the chariots, and upon their horsemen.

So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea in the sea returned to its normal course. When the morning appeared and that's Egyptians fled into it the Lord through the Egyptians into the midst of the sea, the waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen of all of the host of Pharaoh that that followed them into the seat.

Not one of them remain the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea waters big Walter them on the right hand and on their left with amazing Moses is the privileged human instrument chosen by God as a visible sign of the Lord's power, but all he did was told staff. It was the Lord who drove the sea back it was the Lord who caused the strong east wind there. Egyptians pursued would you notice it says that the Lord through the Egyptian forces into a panic so that even the Egyptians replies is amazing that the Lord was fighting against them. One incredible victory by the invincible Lord member Jonah, when is in the great fishing weather today. Then he says in Jonah to salvation is of the Lord. Indeed, it is this deliverance. This redemption is all of God's grace and one saved Israelites even acknowledge God's power versus 33, 31, which Tim is already read the last verses of Exodus 14. Thus, the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians and Israel saw the Egyptians had on the seashore.

Israel saw the great power of this that saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians so the people feared the Lord and they believed in the Lord and that the servant Moses not one of the Egyptians survived the impressive mites of the Egyptian superpower is nothing against invincible power of the Lord Pharaoh had wanted the little baby boys to be thrown into the river Nile is not ironic that no it's water the seed that destroys Pharaoh's power is chariots and his armies.

The battle is over.

Israel is saved. The Lord had planned that the Lord had fought for them the victory was the Lord's Psalm 20 verse seven some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God that we are trusted the pride of your own achievements you trust yourself, you reliance your ability to move maneuver yourself through life, your education, your resources, your abilities now if we are wise we don't trust these things. We put our trust in the name of the Lord our God and here Israel, not whether they do they fear the Lord they had seen the mind of God that must've promoted fear that must've promoted worship that must've increase their faith will be learning but God's power but God's plans. God's purposes in principle, Paul says in Ephesians 1 verse 11 that God works everything in accordance with his you cannot stand against the purposes of God.

You cannot oppose God you try to but God is in invincible and he always unlike us, God always delivers on his promises, his powders invincible God's faithfulness is steadfast wherefrom limitations compressions are new every morning great is his faithfulness. God has never once been unfaithful to his people. God's faithfulness is steadfast God's sovereignty is ultimately triumphant. I realize we don't always see that, but this means if it's true, and it is in here is a wonderful example of these principles and ask this 14 what are we to do with your fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and we are to trust God in every circumstance of life.

You feel you're running into a brick wall. The situation you have no idea how this is going to be resolved. Doesn't God put us in the circumstances.

Sometimes what are you to do panic know your consent form Lord will fight for you and we as followers of Jesus of the victory far greater than the deliverance through the Red Sea are mighty warrior greater than Moses are mighty warrior, our Lord Jesus Christ has taken on the armies of darkness of sin and of Satan and his triumph.

Paul writes in Colossians 2.

Verse 15 that our Lord disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame by triumphing over them in him. After asking as you trust in this God as you trust in this Lord Jesus.

But you know him personally, those who are being baptized are saying not just that they believe in Jesus in a generic sense, but they believe in him personally. They have placed their trust in Jesus Christ who died for their sins was breaded and who rose again, triumphantly, and if we're going to triumph over Satan in the darkness of the death itself out only hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ and we are totally dependent on God for our salvation is all of grace not of her works.

This is a wonderful illustration of it, the Israelites could do nothing by themselves they could not stand against the force of Egypt. God was with them you facing a seemingly impossible situation. You feel it numbered situation which look bleak.

Charles Spurgeon writes the Lord will make a way for you. Where no food has been made before that which like to see threatens the drawing you shall be a highway for your escape.

Some of you have experience the adventure. I have that witness threatens to driving us. In fact, is a highway for our escape. Exodus 14 is reminding us a great powerful gracious holy God is here is the word of God to us this evening at the beginning of a new year feared.

We face in 2020.

I don't know. Could be the best year of your life.

It could be the worst could just be another routine years but five years from now you can't remember, but whatever it is that we are facing fear not, stand firm panic go back. Don't give up your faith and doubt stand firm.

See the salvation of the Lord your eyes on the Lord. Hebrews 12 the author and the perfecter of our faith look to him and the more you look at Christ the stronger and stronger. Your faith will go.

Why is God's power is invincible because God's promises are unassailable because God's sovereignty is triumphant and this invincible God is with us and for us and of God is for us who could stand against us. Father, thank you.

You've revealed this passage of Scripture to us incredible as we think of it reminds us of your power to great power. Your awesome power. The greatest part in the whole universe is held by you is your powders and for that, nothing is too difficult when you told us. Therefore we who are frail or faith was up-and-down. We pray help of unbelief, strengthen our faith, because that's the case, father, as we see how you worked in the past, but you're the living God and not only the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob and the God of Moses and the God of Israel, but your own God and our father through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and we thank you that you have promised never to leave us never to forsake us.

And you promise to us that if we have the faith of a mustard seed we can move mountains because nothing is impossible with you encourages father some here are facing deep, deep, seemingly impossible situations of them not to panic.

Take away the fear and replace it with that faith with the joy of the Lord, which is our strength. We ask it in the Savior's name