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.”
The pillar is something that the History Channel won’t touch. Why? There is no natural explanation. This is supernatural. There is darkness on the side of the Egyptians and light on the side of the Israelites. (v. 20)
• All during the night God parts the waters and dries out the sea bottom
God has their back and their front – all sides. God is working on all sides for you and He promises this in His Word:
Ps. 91
11For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
12 In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
2 Kings 6 “16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”
We can’t always see God at work – but that DOES NOT mean He’s not working for you – fighting for you.
Now we get to the rough part of the story – I had a woman at a previous appointment who hated the Old Testament because she loved animals so much. No animal ever hurt her – lied to her- disappointed her. I tried during three years of Bible Study to get her to see that in God’s Kingdom there is a difference between animals and humans. She continued to see animals as better than humans and many today do the same. It’s sad to me.
Israel gets to the other side – we can all celebrate that. The Egyptian army is coming and to make sure they are judged – God causes the wheels to come off those more than 600 chariots. (v. 25) Then they all sink into the marsh… NO!
Ex. 14 “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.”
They are covered with water – not mud – so how much water would that take? 6 feet? 10 feet? 25 feet? Not sure, but it was enough to wipe out the whole army. Part of the might of Pharaoh (man-god) was his mighty army. One thing we see today is that if you have a big army you can do whatever you want.
In the Old Testament, God defeats many armies. Samaria was surrounded by an army and they were starving. Four lepers decided to go to the enemy camp. 2 Kings 7 ‘5 So that evening the four lepers went to the Aramean camp. When they came to the edge of the camp, no one was there! 6 The Lord had caused the Aramean army to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a large army. So the soldiers said to each other, “The king of Israel has hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to come against us.” 7 The Arameans ran away early that evening. They left everything behind. They left their tents, horses, and donkeys and ran for their lives.”
No army can stand against God – Revelation 19 describes the final battle on earth – “And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh”. v 21
God is at work for His people today – you and me. This is the promise of Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
That means God will fight for you! Praise God! Amen.
TEACHING SHEET
Sermon Series: Exodus
Exodus 14:26-30
“One More Judgement”
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
10 plagues = judgment on many false gods
1 miracle = judgement on a mighty army
“Between a rock and a hard place”
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.”
Exodus 14:7 “Also, he took six hundred choice chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt with captains over every one of them.”
What are the chances you are right where God wants you to be?
God Intervenes
• An angel and a pillar of cloud is placed between the two camps during the night v.19-20
• All during the night God parts the waters and dries out the sea bottom
God is working on all sides for you: Ps. 91
11For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
12 In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
2 Kings 6 “16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”
Judgement of Egypt’s great army
Ex. 14 “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.”
No army can stand against God – Revelation 19 describes the final battle on earth – “And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh”. v 21
