When I saw the names of the places that locate where Israel crossed the Red Sea I got all excited. But there’s one small piece of information missing…
Well, the theme is “rescue” in this passage. God rescues His people from Egypt, He rescues their children from death, He rescues the fledgling nation from Pharaoh’s army and He rescues them from dying of thirst.
You could insert another word instead of rescue, such as “protects” or “cares for” but the thought is the same. God loves His people…this brand new nation that He has created. It does us well to remember that in His awesome power and knowledge God founded and favored the people we now recognize as Israel. It would seem wise for us to lend our support and favor as well.
One quick word on the redemption of sons and animals: The “buying back” of children, the Passover meal and the week long festival that surrounded it were meant to be reminders to the people for generations that God was their protector. Without regular reminders of how benevolent God had been they would have drifted away. As an example, look how long it took them to begin complaining after they were delivered from the Egyptian army. Three days.
Here’s a quick question for you: “What regular reminders of God’s benevolence are a part of our tradition?” If you think about it, there is a decided resistance to including God in anything here in the U.S. We even object to His name being associated with Christmas. How long before we forget God’s goodness and drift away? I believe it has already happened. We have drifted far enough and long enough that we have raised up leaders who don’t appreciate who God is, and what is important to Him. Failure to support Israel is a rookie mistake. We don’t support them for who they are, or what they bring to the region or because they are a democracy. All of that is true, but the real reason we support them is because they are God’s chosen people, precious to Him. God loves us all, but He has chosen to work through the nation of Israel. We should care for Israel because we love God. If the Israelite’s deny God, that’s their business….we don’t deny Him, so we support the nation until God says otherwise.
But this isn’t just about supporting Israel. Many years after this event King David would pen the line “I lift my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth” Psalm 121
Without regular reminders we forget where our help comes from. It doesn’t take long to begin the gradual drift that ends up in apostasy, the Christian should take note of this, and make events that celebrate God’s power and authority over us a regular part of the calendar. Christmas, Easter, Communion, Weddings, Baby Dedications, Funerals, Birthdays….all should include reminders to our children of how wonderful and powerful God truly is.
There are many lessons to learn in this passage: God’s justice displayed on Pharaoh and his army, God’s deliberate leading of the people into a cul-de-sac in order to bait Pharaoh into attacking. The idea of an angel leading the people. God looking down from the pillar of fire. A single piece of wood cleansing a pond. The people constantly doubting and grumbling, even while they see God working among them. The idea that no illness or disease would come upon them if they were obedient. The idea that God sent diseases on the Egyptians.
So many things to see and wonder about. So much wisdom and insight that we could glean from just this passage if we were to spend more time on it! Can you imagine what insights the whole Bible must contain?
Faithfully,
PR