A The Exodus from Egypt:
❖ Please leave! (Exodus 12:31-36)
— All of Egypt was desolate, “for there was not a house where there was not
someone dead” (Ex. 12:30). Pharaoh’s permission for Israel to leave came too
late.
— With the phrase “bless me also” (Ex. 12:32), Pharaoh expressed the feelings
of all his people: please let nothing more happen to us!
— It was not an expression of sincere regret for his wrongdoing, but rather a
desire for the devastation to stop.
— When Israel demanded payment for their years of service, the Egyptians “gave
them whatever they asked for” (Ex. 12:36). In this way, God ensured that His
firstborn would leave Egypt safely—and with his hands full.
❖ The Consecration of the Firstborn (Exodus 13:1-16)
— The firstborn were consecrated by death. Every firstborn had to die. But
provision had been made to replace the firstborn, so that another being would
die in his place.
— Pay attention to the relationship:
(1) Israel is the firstborn of God (Ex. 4:22)
(2) The Church today is spiritual Israel (Gal. 6:16)
(3) Therefore, we must all die to be consecrated to God.
(4) But there is a Being who has died in our place
— Jesus, “the Lamb of God” (John 1:29), died so that whoever applies His blood
at the door of their heart will not die but have ETERNAL LIFE.
— God has already done his part. It is our responsibility to allow ourselves to be
covered with his redeeming blood.
B The crossing of the Red Sea:
❖ Trapped in the Desert (Exodus 13:17-14:12)
— With Pharaoh’s permission, Israel went out “ready for battle” (Ex. 13:18 NIV).
But God didn’t want them to face war, so He led them around (Ex. 13:17).
— Meanwhile, Pharaoh regretted his repentance and went after Israel (Ex. 14:5).
Israel was now trapped in the wilderness, with no escape possible.
(Ex. 14:2-3, 9).
— As an act of faith, they had taken Joseph's sarcophagus with them (Ex. 13:19).
Furthermore, God was guiding them miraculously (Ex. 13:21).
— However, at the sight of Pharaoh's army, their faith collapsed completely.
(Ex. 14:10-12). How quickly they forgot the miracles they had experienced!
Could this happen to us too?
❖ A path in the sea (Exodus 14:13-31)
— In the face of the people's lack of faith, Moses encouraged them to trust in
God (Ex. 14:13-14):
(1) “Do not be afraid”: The first step to achieving victory is trusting God
(2) “Stand firm”: We must patiently remain at our post, without grumbling.
(3) “See salvation”: If we let God guide us, victory is assured
(4) “The Lord will fight for you”: God fights for us against Satan and sin. Calvary
is the greatest proof of this.
— God gave the people only one command: “go forward” (Ex. 14:15). From this
moment, the unexpected began (Ex. 14:19-31):
(1) The angel of God and the pillar of cloud stood between the camp of Israel
and the camp of the Egyptians
(2) During the night, the pillar was darkness for the Egyptians, and light for the
Israelites
(3) Moses raised his staff and the sea parted so that Israel could pass through
on dry land.
(4) Israel entered the sea, having the waters as walls on their right and left
(5) The Egyptians also entered the sea
(6) At dawn, God upset the Egyptians
(7) As they tried to retreat, the sea returned to its course, destroying the entire
army.
(8) From the seashore, Israel beheld the victory, and they believed in God and
in Moses
C The celebration:
❖ The Song of Moses (Exodus 15:1-21)
— Seeing what had happened, Moses leads Israel in a song of praise, while
Miriam responds with a choir, along with the women (Ex. 15:1, 20-21).
— In this song, no mention is made of what Israel has done. Not only does it
praise God for destroying the enemy (Ex. 15:6), but it is also admired for its
works (Ex. 15:11). The reaction of those who hear what has happened is
announced (Ex. 15:14).
— Furthermore, what God is yet to do is announced: “You shall bring them and
plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance” (Ex. 15:17).
— When God's judgments have been manifested, and evil and oppression have
been eradicated, the redeemed of the nations will praise Him for those
righteous judgments, singing the song of Moses and of the Lamb (Rev. 15:3).
