God’s Renewing Word of Joy
Introduction
Exodus 14:1-18: The Israelites reach the Red Sea and are pursued by the Egyptian king and his army. The LORD promises to save the people.
Scripture Reading
Crossing the Red Sea
14 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Tell the Israelites to turn back and camp in front of Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the Red Sea, near Baal Zephon. 3 The king will think that the Israelites are wandering around in the country and are closed in by the desert. 4 I will make him stubborn, and he will pursue you, and my victory over the king and his army will bring me honor. Then the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” The Israelites did as they were told.
5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had escaped, he and his officials changed their minds and said, “What have we done? We have let the Israelites escape, and we have lost them as our slaves!” 6 The king got his war chariot and his army ready. 7 He set out with all his chariots, including the six hundred finest, commanded by their officers. 8 The Lord made the king stubborn, and he pursued the Israelites, who were leaving triumphantly.[a] 9 The Egyptian army, with all the horses, chariots, and drivers, pursued them and caught up with them where they were camped by the Red Sea near Pi Hahiroth and Baal Zephon.
10 When the Israelites saw the king and his army marching against them, they were terrified and cried out to the Lord for help. 11 They said to Moses, “Weren’t there any graves in Egypt? Did you have to bring us out here in the desert to die? Look what you have done by bringing us out of Egypt! 12 Didn’t we tell you before we left that this would happen? We told you to leave us alone and let us go on being slaves of the Egyptians. It would be better to be slaves there than to die here in the desert.”
13 Moses answered, “Don’t be afraid! Stand your ground, and you will see what the Lord will do to save you today; you will never see these Egyptians again. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and all you have to do is keep still.”
15 The Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out for help? Tell the people to move forward. 16 Lift up your walking stick and hold it out over the sea. The water will divide, and the Israelites will be able to walk through the sea on dry ground. 17 I will make the Egyptians so stubborn that they will go in after them, and I will gain honor by my victory over the king, his army, his chariots, and his drivers. 18 When I defeat them, the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.”
TODAY’S KEY VERSE: Exodus 14:13a, 14a
Moses answered, “Don’t be afraid! Stand your ground, and you will see what the LORD will do to save you today. . . . The LORD will fight for you.”
Reflect
Why was the king of Egypt upset after the Israelites had escaped? Describe what the Israelites were feeling when they saw the Egyptian army pursuing them. What did they say to Moses? What was Moses’s response? What assurance did the LORD give to Moses?
Pray
God of miracles and wonders, calm my fears and relieve me of any worries and anxieties. You are always by my side, and you are victorious. I place myself in your loving hands, and I praise and glorify you. Amen.
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Tomorrow’s Reading
Exodus 14:19-31: The LORD divides the waters of the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to cross over on dry ground.