[148]. A Poem Message – Egypt, Israel And The Reed Sea Victory

[148]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – EGYPT, ISRAEL AND THE REED SEA VICTORY

This poem resulted from a special touch of the Lord from His word to me in 1997 when passing through an uncertain time, and facing a strong injustice I could not resolve. There are times when we must wait for God’s hand and God’s timing. We always need to wait on God. Joseph waited in prison for three years but whatever the circumstance, God is not forgetful of His own.

That fact, Israel had forgotten. They failed to see the wonderful hand of God, and as in all situations of testing, they were faithless, and grumbled against the very God who had led them out in a glorious victory. How short our memories are of the wonderful way God shows His faithfulness. How ready we are to complain and grumble even directing this against the very One who saved us from our sins.

I would like to mention one verse – {{Exodus 14:10: “And as Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the LORD.”}} As we read this over and over, I visualised the picture - At their backs the Egyptian army; at their fronts an impenetrable sea. Now they were trapped. What hope was there?

It is said, “Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity,” and this indeed was true here. In the very heart of the difficulty and at the eleventh hour the LORD opened up the way for them. The way of victory for Israel became the way of death for the Egyptians.

An alternate title I gave this poem when written was, “God Defeats the Hamans,” as I was looking at the fierce opposition of the enemy against God’s own (and I was facing).

{{Jeremiah 33:2-3 “Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it to establish it, the LORD is His name, “CALL TO ME, AND I WILL ANSWER YOU, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”}}

This poem is a faithful retelling of this story found in Exodus 14:5-31 and Exodus 15:1-21

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EGYPT, ISRAEL AND THE REED SEA VICTORY

As steely quartz or granite dense,

So was the heart of Pharaoh.

He summonsed Egypt’s full defence,

To his eternal sorrow.

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Once Israel faced the wild beast’s breath,

Blocked off tightly by the sea;

Impeded by the water’s depth,

With no haven where to flee.

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There, Egypt’s army at their heels,

Determined to devour;

The sand was scorched by flashing wheels.

Prey to seize within the hour.

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In recognition of their plight,

The people wailed in sad lament.

Deplorable, foreboding, sight;

Energies had now been spent.

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Pharaoh’s chariots raced on still,

Impelled by mur’drous intent.

A nation’s name they soon would kill,

Determined, not to relent.

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Crying despair arose on high,

Arose from the Jewish ranks.

By fear consumed; with Pharaoh nigh,

Shrieks embraced the Reed Sea’s banks.

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More faithless wails were plenteous,

“Jehovah has passed us by!

Egyptian graves are numerous.

So, why bring us here to die?”

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“We told you, Moses, right back there,

On Egyptians, we’d rely.

Slaves we were. Now we must prepare,

In this wilderness to die.”

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“Stand still,” God said, “and see My power,

And behold My mighty hand.”

Abraham’s God was there that hour

To protect His frightened band.

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“Fast under Egypt’s yoke oppressed,

You travailed in hardship sore.

In God’s salvation you’ll be blessed;

Delivered for evermore.”

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“The Lord of Hosts our Captain is;

Your Commander He’ll remain.

He’ll fight for you - the battle His,

While your efforts you restrain.”

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“Lift up your staff and stretch your hand!

Cry not, Moses. I’ll not fail

To cleave the Sea to make dry land.

“Advance now, sons of Israel!”

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The angel of God directed,

Going before and behind.

The Jews could not be detected;

Egyptians, darkness did find.

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The surly Sea was divided

By a strong east wind that night.

Sons of Israel were provided,

A walled tunnel for their flight.

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Passed right through two walls of water;

Israel; on the left and right.

God showed Israel that He loved her,

Upon whom He placed His sight.

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Chariots, horses and horsemen,

Went charging into the Sea.

In hot pursuit they followed there,

Urged on by Pharaoh’s fury.

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In fierce pursuit the army went.

Precise in time, God called, “Halt.”

The wheels swerved off to such extent;

Wildly as an untried colt.

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The mud was churned to greater depth,

As frustration took its toll.

Confusion reigned along the length,

Thwarting Pharaoh’s evil goal.

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The kicking, topping waves were freed.

Unleashed, rushed to reunite,

And swallowed up with post-haste speed,

Pharaoh’s military spite.

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Baptised was Israel in the Sea,

Passing safely through the waves.

The judgment stroke on Egypt, see,

All engulfed in watery graves.

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Walls of water spelt God’s judgment,

To the right and to the left.

The army into judgment went.

Egypt’s women now bereft.

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Judgmental fury of the waves,

Became God’s deliverance,

To show His people He still saves,

And His care for them, advance.

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To the Lord a song ascended;

Horse and rider hurled headlong.

To God the highly exalted,

Salvation and strength belong.

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My father’s God, Him will I praise.

From eternity, the LORD.

I will extol. My voice I’ll raise!

He flashed His warrior’s sword.

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All Pharaoh’s choicest officers,

In the Reed Sea have been drowned.

Dark, turbulent water covers

Egypt’s army men renowned.

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The enemy has been shattered,

By the right hand of the Lord.

And into the depths descended,

Like a stone thrown overboard.

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Deeps were congealed in the Sea’s heart,

And the waters were piled up.

Your nostril blasts prepared a path -

Waters stood up like a heap.

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In loving kindness You have led,

The nation in redemption.

In Your strength, they have been guided,

To holy habitation.

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You, Lord, are awesome in praises,

Profoundly working wonders.

Israel’s voice to God she raises.

Majestic holiness stirs.

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In every trial through troubled deeps,

God will guide His people through.

Jehovah slumbers not, nor sleeps.

He protects and watches you.

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Bitter enemies may pursue,

And chase me into the sea.

In all of this therefore, construe,

God still works His will for me.

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20 - 27 July, 1997 R E Ferguson God Defeats the Hamans 8-7-8-7