Stand Still And See - Exodus 14.1-31 Series

2026.03.15 Sermon Notes. STAND STILL AND SEE – Exodus 14.1-31

William Akehurst, HSWC

SCRIPTURES: Exodus 14:1-31, John 8:12, Romans 8:31-39

KEY WORDS: Fear, Salvation, Deliverance, Presence, Power, Separation, Miracle, Faith

BIG IDEA

The GOD who leads us will sometimes lead us into impossible situations so that HIS power, not ours, receives the glory.

INTRODUCTION

Israel has left Egypt.

But Egypt has not yet released Israel.

Chapter 14 records one of the greatest miracles in Scripture.

This is not merely a story of escape.

It is a story of total deliverance.

I. GOD LEADS THEM INTO A DEAD END (14:1–4)

Exodus 14:1-4 The Red Sea Crossing

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. 3 For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are bewildered by the land; the wilderness has closed them in.’ 4 Then I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD.” And they did so.

GOD instructs them to camp by the sea.

From a human standpoint:

• Mountains on both sides

• Sea in front

• Pharaoh behind

GOD says, “I will be honored upon Pharaoh.”

Sometimes GOD leads us into tight places to display His power.

Not every closed-in place is a mistake.

Some are appointments.

II. REDEEMED PEOPLE CAN STILL PANIC (14:5–12)

Exodus 14:5-12

5 Now it was told the king of Egypt that the people had fled, and the heart of Pharaoh and his servants was turned against the people; and they said, “Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” 6 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. 11 Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? 12 Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.”

Pharaoh pursues.

Israel fears.

They cry:

“Were there no graves in Egypt?”

Fear makes free people speak like slaves.

Redemption does not instantly mature faith.

Faith must grow under pressure.

III. MOSES’ DECLARATION OF FAITH (14:13–14)

Exodus 14:13-14

13 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.”

“Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD.”

Salvation here means deliverance.

Israel could not engineer this miracle.

They could not fight this battle.

GOD says:

Stand still.

There are moments when obedience means action.

There are moments when obedience means stillness.

This was a stillness moment.

IV. WHEN GOD SAYS MOVE (14:15–18)

Exodus 14:15-18

15 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.”

After Moses declares:

“Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD…”

The LORD responds:

“Why criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.”