Note: Many of the notes came from the book Pilgrims Promise: Getting out of Egypt and Getting Egypt Out of Us by Bryan Cutshall
Title: A New Beginning
Theme:
Text: Exodus 13, 14
Exodus 13:17-18 Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, "Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt." (18) So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt.
Introduction
We started this series back in November.
So far we have covered Egypt. How did we get in this predicament: the SIN – original sin and sins of our lives.
Then we talked about the promise of God to Abraham. We learned that God grew Abraham’s faith through tests, which is what Johan preached on Wednesday night. So we could easily say that Abraham became the father of faith.
Next we talked about Moses and his insecurities. How God realized this man to lead a nation. Finally we finished with Egypt and getting out of it. God raise up a deliver.
So now that we have been delivered form Egypt. This could be a new Christian or a Christian who has been living under bondage. Not achieving all the things God has. It does not mean we have arrived. There is some work to be done.
We don’t just throw our self out to the world so that they can rip us apart. Let’s read the opening verse again.
Exodus 13:17-18 Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, "Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt." (18) So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt.
There are delays and there are detours. God will often time delay us to build our faith and our strength. Delays are not always detours but are preparing us for when we get there. Joseph learned this. He could not have led the kingdom without going through the process.
The most important part here is to understand to keep our focus on God. Keep the routine. Satan will try to give us detours if we are not careful.
The Valley of Succoth – The Valley
Psalms 23:1-6 A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. (2) He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. (3) He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. (4) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (5) You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. (6) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
In the Valley I find . . .
A place to remember
A place to stop
A place to be still and know God
A place to meet Him.
Etham – God’s Pillar of Fire
Exodus 13:20-22 So they took their journey from Succoth and camped in Etham at the edge of the wilderness. (21) And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. (22) He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people.
This is where they met God. God showed out. They had seen Him work before but this is the first they had seen the Shekinah glory of the Lord. This is what faith will do. It will draw us closer as we trust him.
One last step before moving on – Getting Rid of the Past
Exodus 14:6-10 So he made ready his chariot and took his people with him. (7) Also, he took six hundred choice chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt with captains over every one of them. (8) And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the children of Israel; and the children of Israel went out with boldness. (9) So the Egyptians pursued them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and overtook them camping by the sea beside Pi Hahiroth, before Baal Zephon. (10) And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord.
Can you imagine what hundreds of years of slavery can do to a culture? There is so much to that statement. So many habits and routines that had been created.
Not only that but they kept looking over their shoulder wondering if the past would catch up with them.
“Too many of God’s children live defeated lives because they allow the past to hover over their heads like dark clouds of fear. Even when doors open to the future they remained chained to the past.”
Satan wants to haunt us with our past
1. Intimidation – twisting facts and causing us to worry about incidentals that are magnified.
2Co 10:4-5 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, (5) casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
2. Reminding us of our failures –
Biblical Failures
Abraham lied
Isaac lied
Jacob lied and deceived
Moses murdered
David murdered and committed adultery
Solomon allowed idolatry
Elijah doubted
Peter denied Christ
Paul killed Christians
Camp of Migdol and the Red Seal
Here Migdol represents a place of ear and helplessness. The sea is in front of you. The enemy is behind you, and mountains on both sides of you. You are boxed in. “
There is no way to turn but up.
Notice what God told them to do:
Exodus 14:13-14 And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. (14) The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."
1. Stand Still
Step back and get a focus.
2. See God
Don’t miss God in all of this.
3. Hold your peace
Peace is not found in the calm lake, it is seeing the Master walking on the water in the middle of the storm.
Peace is not staying home and tending sheep; it is walking into the battlefield with a sling shot in one hand, a stone in the other, and God in your sights.
Peace is not sitting at the Kings right hand; it is walking in the furnace with the Fourth Man.
God’s Ambush
The enemy couldn’t see that God was setting up and ambush. They thought they could ambush God but had them right there where he wanted them.
Exodus 14:15-22 And the Lord said to Moses, "Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. (16) But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. (17) And I indeed will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them. So I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, his chariots, and his horsemen. (18) Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gained honor for Myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen." (19) And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them. (20) So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that the one did not come near the other all that night. (21) Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided. (22) So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
