One More Judgement Series

Sermon Series “Exodus”

Exodus 14:26-30

“One More Judgement”

Pastor John Bright

Exodus 14 “26 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the waters may come back upon the Egyptians, on their chariots, and on their horsemen.” 27 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and when the morning appeared, the sea returned to its full depth, while the Egyptians were fleeing into it. So the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. 28 Then the waters returned and covered the chariots, the horsemen, and all the army of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them. Not so much as one of them remained. 29 But the children of Israel had walked on dry land in the midst of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

30 So the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.’”

This is where the History Channel and I have to:

• Go our separate ways

• Agree to disagree

• Let the past be the past

• Consider it all water under the bridge (over the dam?)

To travel anywhere around this area, I cross several bridges. Most of the the backroads in Pittsylvania County seem to drop down and have a little bridge over a little creek. That’s where my cell signal usually drops out.

Years ago, I served on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. To visit my family in Suffolk, I had to cross over another not-so-little bridge. Perhaps you’ve heard of it – The Cheasapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. It is 17.6 miles long and every day millions of gallons flow into and out of the Bay.

Both of these – the Bay Bridge Tunnel and the bridges I drive over every week here – these are all bridges, but are they the same? Of course not!

That brings me to the box on your teaching sheet.

Red Sea - "yam suph" (Hebrew) - "The Hebrew word suph, whose root is thought to be of Egyptian origin, meant "reed," especially the papyrus. So the Hebrew phrase yam suph can be translated "Sea of Reeds" or "Reed Sea" or even "Papyrus Marsh." Is this phrase, commonly translated "Red Sea," in fact referring to what today is known as the Red Sea or is it some other body of water? More importantly, are the liberal scholars correct in saying yam suph refers to a marshy area near the Rea Sea or some small, shallow lake nearby? These questions are crucial because, if the Israelites escaped Egypt without God's miraculous intervention, then the Bible contains exaggerations and lies." https://www.gotquestions.org/red-reed-sea.html

There are also other Hebrew words that refer to reed/papyrus/bull rush (Moses in the basket) – so, when the History Channel wants to tell me the only explanation is that the Israelites crossed a marsh… I begin to wonder – ARE THEY READING THE SAME STORY I’M READING?!?

This is another story of judgement on the Egyptians and protection of the Israelites. There have been ten plagues of judgement on their false (little g) gods and now one miracle that will judge the mighty army of the Egyptians. They were greatly feared – how do I know that? Because they had chariots. Chariots were the pinnacle of ancient battle technology until the time of Christ (1st c. AD).

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Let’s get back to our story – last week we left the Israelites with flat bread and plenty of materials for the Tabernacle. Then, in chapter 14, the hard-hearted Pharaoh decides to chase after them (v. 8-9).

God tell the Isrealites where to camp - Exodus 14 “1 Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn and camp before Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, opposite Baal Zephon; you shall camp before it by the sea.”

God sends the Egyptians - Exodus 14:7 “Also, he took six hundred choice chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt with captains over every one of them.”

Not sure of what the Hebrew word is for “RUH ROH!” This is the classic definition of being between a rock and a hard place – but they are right where God wants them!

What are the chances you are right where God wants you to be?

Moses has promised the people (who are complaining – more on this in two weeks) that the Lord will fight for you (v. 14).

So now we see God at work – this story is still all about God.

• An angel and a pillar of cloud is placed between the two camps during the night v.19-20

One angel can do soooo much! - 2 Kings 19:35 “And it came to pass on a certain night that the angel of the Lord went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses—all dead.”