11 May 2017, Ex 14 出 14 章, Crossing the Red Sea 穿越红海

Posted on Apr 28, 2017 in Devotions, Exodus |

Scripture Reading        : Ex 14

Theme                           : Crossing the Red Sea

 

God sees before (1–19).

God knew Pharaoh’s plans and saw to it that Israel was cared for. This is providence, which means “to see before.” He is Jehovah-Jireh (Gen. 22:14), “the Lord will see to it.” No matter what the enemy plans to do to you, God has already taken care of it and will tell you what to do.

God comes between (19–20).

The pillar that brought light to Israel brought darkness to the enemy. The people of the world are walking in darkness, but God’s people have “the light of life” (John 8:12). The enemy cannot touch you without first encountering God.

God goes ahead (21–25).

He opens the way and does the impossible. The next time you are in a seemingly impossible situation, remember what God did for Israel at the Red Sea. The people of Israel never forgot this victory (Psa. 66:6; 106:9; 136:13–14). Recalling God’s past help can encourage you as you face future challenges in your faith.

God comes behind (26–31).

Isaiah stated, “And the God of Israel will be your rear guard” (Isa. 52:12). The defeat was complete; the Egyptian army was no more. There is much truth in these words: “And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4). [1]

 

Praying the Scripture

  1. “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord” (v. 13). By faith the Jews had marched out of Egypt, and now by faith they would stand still and watch God destroy the Egyptian charioteers. Moses not only told them to stand still, but also to “be still” (v. 14). How easy it would have been to weep, complain, and keep criticizing Moses, but none of those things would have helped them out of their predicament. Unbelief complains, but faith obeys and brings glory to the Lord. “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10). What is there to complain about when we have the wonderful promise, “The Lord shall fight for you”? (Ex. 14:14) Later in their journey, the Lord would help Joshua and the Jewish army fight their battles (17:8); but this time, God would defeat the Egyptians without Israel’s assistance. Let’s pray that we will be still and know that He is God.
  2. The next order came from God to Moses, “Go forward!” (14:15). We are not to be idle and wait but be obedient to God. The fact that Israel was facing the sea was not a problem to God and He told Moses exactly what to do. When Moses lifted up his rod, the waters would part, and Israel would be able to walk across on dry land and escape the Egyptian army. At Moses’ signal, the waters would then flow back, drown the Egyptian soldiers and prevent Israel from returning to Egypt. Let’s pray that we actively obey God instead of passively waiting and idling.

[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Ex 14:1.

 
 
 

经文：出14 章

主题：穿越红海

 

神早已看见（1-19）

神知道法老的计划，并确保以色列人不因此受到阻拦。这是预备，意味着“早已看见”。他是耶和华以勒（创22:14），“耶和华将看着办”。不管敌人想要谋算加害你什么，神已经将它处理并告诉你该怎么做。

神在之间（19-20）

那带给以色列光明的柱子，却带给了敌人黑暗。属世的人在黑暗中行走，但神的子民有“生命的光”（约8:12）。如果敌人想要碰你，那他必须先过神这关。

神在前头行（21-25）

祂开辟道路，并行了不可能的事。下一次当你处在一个看似不可能的情况时，请记得神为以色列人在红海所做的一切。以色列人永远没有忘记这场胜利（诗66:6；106:9；136:13-14）。回顾神过去的帮助，可以鼓励你在信心里面对未来的挑战。

神作后盾（26-31）

以赛亚说：“以色列的神必作你们的后盾”（赛52:12）。埃及军队完全的失败了。这话确实没错：“使我们胜了世界的，就是我们的信心”（约一5:4）。

 

用经文祷告

  1. “只管站住！看耶和华今天向你们所要施行的救恩”（13节）。因着信，犹太人大步走出埃及，而现在凭着信心，他们站在原地，看着神是如何摧毁埃及的战车。摩西不仅告诉他们要站住，他也告诉他们“不要作声”（14节）。哭泣、抱怨、批评摩西是多么的容易，但这些却不能帮助他们走出困境。不信的抱怨，但信的顺服并把荣耀归给耶和华。“你们要休息，要知道我是神！”（诗46:10）。当我们有这美妙的应许：“耶和华必为你们争战”，我们还有什么可抱怨的呢？（出14:14）在他们后来的旅途中，主帮助约书亚和犹太军队战胜敌人（17:8），但这个时候，神自己战胜埃及人。让我们祈祷，我们可以静下，知道祂是神。
  2. 神给摩西的下一个指示是：“往前走！”（14:15）。我们不该闲置等待，但要顺服神。事实上，以色列面向着海对神来说不是问题，神告诉摩西该怎么做。当摩西举起杖，海水就分离，以色列人就可下海中走干地逃离埃及军队。在摩西的指示下，水就会合起，把埃及士兵淹没，并阻止以色列返回埃及。让我们祈祷，我们能积极顺服神，而不是被动地等待和闲置。