Dry Ground

Exodus 13:17

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, "If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt."

Let's think about this for a minute. He intentionally took them the 'easier' way. Well, no, not necessarily. He took them the way He needed to so they could see His glory. So they could trust Him as they walked across the dry ground. War would've been harder but being trapped against a wall of water wasn't exactly easy. However, the Red Sea was moveable in a way that a war among the Philistines was not. A real life aquarium would be much more awe inspiring and easily recognized as a miracle than the fear a war with a nation would invoke.

Exodus 14:19

Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them

He is our rear guard. All of the armor we're encouraged to wear (Ephesians 6:10-18) protects our fronts. God has our backs and fights for us. Up to this point in the story, the pillar of cloud and fire had always been in the front of them leading them and guiding (Exodus 13:21-22). To complete what needed to be done, God moved.

Exodus 14:21-22

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.

Dry. Ground.

I can't. That part always throws me. Always. Not just Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides, but goes above and beyond. He knew. If they crossed on mud, muck, chaos, and filth it would've been more difficult and there would've been more complaints, which is its own thing. However, He knew how feeble our attitudes and hearts are. He knew what was best down to walking through the walls of the Red Sea on dry ground.

Dry ground. This dirt lived in the bottom of the sea. It never saw the light of day. It never had a chance to dry naturally. It never was just dirt but mud, silt, and muck. He parted the waters, made the first walk-through aquarium, and did it in such a way that the ground beneath was dry. It should've taken days to dry but it didn't. They walked through on dry ground. Thousands of people that would've made the mud that should've been there almost impassable. He knew the need, and exceeded the expectation. 

Exodus 14:13-14

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Do not be afraid. Deliverance is coming. The Lord will fight for you. Don't panic, don't try to figure it out on your own, just be still. I'm sure with their backs against the wall of the sea and no way to get around, they were fearful. I'm sure some were panicking. I'm sure others were greatly wishing they'd just stayed in Egypt. "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." We see this evidenced in upcoming verses but this is the next verse.

Exodus 14:15

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.

Strikes me as funny. I hear it said more like, "Dude, seriously. Move! Put feet to it. Keeeeeeep gooooooooooing!" He's made this water walkway, He's parted the seas, He made a way where there was no way. It's up to the Israelites to actually do the movement and walk through the waters. God does the same things for us today, provides the exit or the right path but we have to put feet to it. 

Exodus 14:17 

I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen.

Exodus 14:24‭-‬25

During the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt."

He confused them. He created chaos, disabled their chariots, and proved His point. They understand that He was fighting for the Israelites and they wanted nothing to do with it. But God wasn't finished.

Exodus 14:26‭-‬28

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.

"Not one of them survived." All of them were swallowed up when He released the seas. If He had taken them by way of the Philistines, they would've been fearful as they faced war. It would've likely made them want to return to the slavery from which He so intentionally removed them. So instead, He parted this massive body of water, went behind them and blocked their enemy's view, provided an exit of optimal conditions, AND proceeded to wipe out the entire army that was chasing them. This meant not only did they not have to fear the war with the Philistines, but they also weren't going to have to look over their shoulder as they traveled to see if they were still being chased. "Not one of them survived." Instead the miracle had this effect....

Exodus 14:31

And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.

This brings us to chapter 15. This is a song of praise, awed and humbled praise. I mean, they literally just watched their enemies be swallowed up in such magnificent, miraculous fashion. Their enemies were not only defeated, but completely obliterated.

Exodus 15:4‭-‬6

Pharaoh’s chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea. The best of Pharaoh’s officers are drowned in the Red Sea. The deep waters have covered them; they sank to the depths like a stone. Your right hand, Lord, was majestic in power. Your right hand, Lord, shattered the enemy.

Exodus 15:9‭-‬10

The enemy boasted, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake them. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.’ But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters.

They sank like lead. They boasted. They tried. They had ALL the plans. At the end of the day, God blew them out like a birthday candle. 

Exodus 15:12‭-‬13

“You stretch out your right hand, and the earth swallows your enemies. In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling.

Exodus 15:19

When Pharaoh’s horses, chariots and horsemen went into the sea, the Lord brought the waters of the sea back over them, but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground.

This. This right here. This is the God I serve. This God is completely capable of keeping food on my table and gas in my car. This is the God that can keep me steady and provide all my needs. Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides. Jehovah Rapha, the Lord who heals. 

I just... man. I just sit here awed.