The Israelites at the Red Sea and in the wilderness: God will always take care of you
Finally the Israelites are out of Egypt! God is leading them to the promised land, but their journey there is going to be pretty eventful. They also aren’t quite done with Egypt yet. In fact, God is worried that if they were able to do it easily, the Israelites might try to go back to Egypt when their journey to the promised land gets tough (Exodus 13:17).
Exodus 13:18 | So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.
From the very start of their journey, God faithfully leads His people so they know exactly where to go.
Exodus 13:21-22 | The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people.
God purposely leads the Israelites to camp near the red sea (Exodus 14:1-2). Then, God stirs in the heart of Pharaoh one more time.
Exodus 14:5-6 | When word reached the king of Egypt that the Israelites had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. “What have we done, letting all those Israelite slaves get away?” they asked. So Pharaoh harnessed his chariot and called up his troops.
A massive army begins chasing after the Israelites and because of their camping spot, the Israelites are trapped.
Exodus 14:10a | As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them.
How quickly the Israelites forget that power of the One who led them out of Egypt!
Exodus 14:11-12 | They said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’”
But just like every moment of the Israelites in Egypt, God told Moses that the position of Israel and the pursuing Egyptian army were part of His plan -
Exodus 14:4 | And once again I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after you. I have planned this in order to display my glory through Pharaoh and his whole army. After this the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord!”
By now, Moses knows He can trust God’s plans, even when the Israelite people are fighting against him.
Exodus 14:13-14 | But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
Moses is right. The Israelites don’t have to fight, but they will be delivered.
Remember the pillar of cloud of fire that went in front of the Israelites? At this point, God moves it behind them, right between the Israelites and the Egyptians–
Exodus 14:19-20 | Then the angel of God, who had been leading the people of Israel, moved to the rear of the camp. The pillar of cloud also moved from the front and stood behind them. The cloud settled between the Egyptian and Israelite camps. As darkness fell, the cloud turned to fire, lighting up the night. But the Egyptians and Israelites did not approach each other all night.
Then-
Exodus 14:21-22 | Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!
When the Egyptians realize what is happening, they too begin crossing the sea to catch the Israelites, but–
Exodus 14:26-28 | When all the Israelites had reached the other side, the Lord said to Moses, “Raise your hand over the sea again. Then the waters will rush back and cover the Egyptians and their chariots and charioteers.” So as the sun began to rise, Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the water rushed back into its usual place. The Egyptians tried to escape, but the Lord swept them into the sea.
God brought the Israelites to camp along the sea for this very moment. As He parted the red sea, He provided a way of rescue that they would never forget! He delivered them from their enemy and they truly were free from their slavery.
Exodus 14:31 | When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the Lord had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the Lord and in his servant Moses.
Unfortunately, God’s people quickly forget that they can trust God no matter what… just three days after being delivered from the red sea, they are complaining again, this time about water that is too bitter to drink (Exodus 15:22-25). God uses Moses to miraculously make the water good to drink.
Then, one month after leaving Egypt, the Israelites are complaining again. This time about food (Exodus 16:1-3). God miraculously reigns down food from the sky twice a day to feed His people (Exodus 16:4-12).
This process repeats over and over as God leads the Israelites to the promised land. God leads His people. The Israelites forget God’s goodness. They complain to Moses. Moses prays. God provides.
Spoiler alert: Moses is going to get exhausted. The people are frustrating and their constant whining has to be annoying. But God has chosen and prepared Moses for his position as Israel’s leader. He also never leaves Moses to do it alone. God is always there leading, protecting, and providing for His people.
Moses would remind the Israelites in the book of Deuteronomy–
Deuteronomy 31:8 | Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.
The same is true for us. Our Timeless Truth today is: God will always take care of you. While the Israelites forgot the Lord often (at the Red Sea, in the wilderness, in the promised land under the rule of judges, and many more times throughout the Old Testament), God never forgot them. He faithfully leads, protects, and provides for His people. He always takes care of them. He does the same for us. Jesus says–
Luke 12:6-7 | What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
Just as God always took care of the Israelites in the wilderness, God will always take care of you (Matthew 6:25-33).
What is something you learned or that stuck out to you about the Israelites at the Red Sea and in the wilderness?
What are some complaints of the Israelite people?
What are some things you complain about often?
Even though the Israelites forget God’s goodness and complain again and again, what does God do? Why?
How have you seen God take care of you, even when you complain or don’t deserve it?