Crossing Of The Red Sea: “what Happens When God’s In The Lead” Series

10 Amazing Miracles From Scripture (5 of 10)

Crossing of the Red Sea: “What Happens When God’s in the Lead”

Exodus 14.13-31

November 1, 2015 CFBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker

A The Israelites had been in Egyptian bondage between 400-430 years. (Millions of Hebrews were born, died, buried there in the sands on the Sinai Peninsula)

a Every Hebrew there had been born into slavery, never tasted freedom, been outside the enemy’s camp.

aa When you grow up a slave freedom is something someone has else has. . . but not you.

bb It’s a dream, a romantic notion, pie in the sky thinking.

b When God speaks through Moses, using words like “freedom, release, relief . . . milk & honey” it got the Hebrew’s attention.

aa Over the course of 4-5 months to up to a year (ancient rabbinical writings state a year.) God sent 10 plaques over Egypt (water into blood, frogs, gnats/lice, flies, livestock died, boils, thunder/hail, locusts, darkness, death of the first born.)

bb Pharaoh finally gave in and released the Hebrew slaves and out the door they went.

c The first thing they did was dedicate their first born to YHWH and started following the Lord of Israel by a cloud by day and a piller of fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22 (HCSB) The LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to lead them on their way during the day and in a pillar of fire to give them light at night, so that they could travel day or night. 22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night never left its place in front of the people.

aa The Egyptian god-King changed his mind and released his war machine to pursue the Hebrews.

bb Caught up with the Israelites at the shores of the Red Sea. (Map JPEG)

cc The Israelites could see Pharaoh’s Army and vice versa. . . fear suddenly replaced the Israelites faith.

dd Exodus 14:11-12 (HCSB) 11 They said to Moses: “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you took us to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Isn’t this what we told you in Egypt: Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

B Exodus 14.13-31 (On Screen: I’m going to read the odd numbered verses and the congregation will read the even ones. Please put odd numbered verses in italics, please.)

1 In the last several years, underwater explorers have found several ancient artifacts on the floor of the Red Sea that gives testimony of the truthfulness of the Biblical account of this miracle.

a There have been fossilized bones, chariot wheels, axles, chariot cabs found at the bottom of the Red Sea.

(Use JPEGS: bones, chariot cab, chariot wheel, chariot wheel, chariot wheel 2-4, Egyptian Hieroglyphics)

aa Again, the archeology matches up just like it did at Balaam’s house last week.

bb The Bible doesn’t need archeology to prove it’s true, but it awesome when it supports what we believe.

b The Red Sea Crossing is one of the most amazing miracles in Scripture.

aa Moving over 2 million people over a mile on dry land, while the waters on both sides of them tower to their sides. (Use JPEG Red Sea Crossing 6)

bb When the last person crossed, the waters closed up behind them, drowning Pharaoh’s Army, closing a chapter forever of bondage, slavery, past.

cc What a picture of Baptism those Hebrews painted at the Red Sea.

2 What amazing things that can happen when we let God take the lead!

a (ETS) God brought His people out of their chains when they trusted Him by faith.

b (ESS) When we trust the promises of God He proves Himself faithful every time.

T.S.: Let’s look at two promises that we find when God takes the lead in our lives.

I When God is in the lead . . .He protects His Chosen.

A v.19-20, the cloud that had hovered in the front of the Hebrews now went behind them. Why? So Pharaoh’s army couldn’t see the Israelites crossing the Red Sea. (Supernatural Stealth Technology!!)

1 The presence of God (cloud) was not simply a camouflage for Israel, also a protection as a rear guard.

a The presence of God that was light for the Israelites became darkness for the Egyptians.

b What was salvation for the Sons of Israel was judgment for the Pharaoh’s Army.

aa Isn’t it something how the presence of God can bring some deliverance and some judgement?

bb We are seeing a foreshadowing of the cross at the Red Sea!