In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling (Exodus 15:13).
We previously were reading about the plagues and how God had hardened the heart of Pharaoh to not let God’s people leave. We were left with the plague on every firstborn son in Egypt. Death was looming over all of Egypt. Chapter 12 details the instructions to God’s people. God was providing a way for death to “pass over” the homes of those who followed His instructions. God was setting up a great deliverance for His people and it peaks in Chapter 12!
I can’t help but see that the instructions that applied to the people back then are principles that apply to me/us today. I’m grateful to be able to read the Bible and know that Jesus is the ultimate plan – Jesus is the Lamb of God. It is by the Blood of the Lamb that we are saved for eternal life with our Heavenly Father.
Some thoughts from this week’s reading:
- In chapter 12 we saw that God had a specific plan, a specific process, and specific timing. The people were supposed to be ready. We can anticipate God’s presence with a ready heart.
- Just as God’s people needed to be set free, we all have things we need to be set free from. Are we willing to ask God to show us our “Egyptians”?
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.”
- We are reminded that God was indeed completely in control, even when things looked so impossible. The Israelites journeyed and so do we. I pray that on our journeys we will remember that God is ultimately in control. For the people of Israel, God literally parted the sea!
- In these chapters we also see that God always provided. He brought food and water by His mighty power. Unfortunately, the people cycled between praising God and grumbling. Sounds all too familiar…. I pray I will focus my heart on the words in chapter 15, which is a song of praise to the Lord.
- A favorite illustration of mine is found in Exodus 17:8-13. As long as Moses held his hands up, the Israelites were winning their battle. However, Moses did get tired. We see that Aaron and Hur supported him in keeping his arms raised until the battle was won. What a beautiful example of supporting one another in our Christian walk. Sometimes we are the ones that need the support, other times we are called to provide the support.
Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. He said, “For hands were lifted up to the throne of the Lord…” (Exodus 17: 15-16a).
Marge Woodson
