We are facing forces and movements in our world that are completely beyond our influence. And yet our focus on such matters borders on addiction. You may not want to hear this … but sharing videos on Facebook will not stop the onslaught of globalization or the push toward a one-world government. It makes us feel like we’re doing something … but we’re not. Christians know that it’s coming … God’s Word says so. So, what do I do … when there’s nothing to be done?
God’s people were stuck between what appeared to be two unconquerable foes; before them the impassable Red Sea, behind them the rapidly approaching Egyptian army. How did they respond? They started talking smack about leadership. “They said to Moses, ‘Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.’” Exodus 14:11-12 It’s hard to blame them really … the text also says that when they saw the Egyptians, they were “terrified.”
What should they have done … considering there was nothing to be done? Moses spells it out … “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Exodus 14:13-14
There are four elements to Moses’ instruction, and they were all issued as commands:
“Fear not” Cease dreading! The only way that happens is when we remember Who’s really in charge. It only happens when faith replaces fear. The Israelites were focused on their earthly leadership and had forgotten Who was leading them and what He had already accomplished on their behalf.
“Stand firm” The command here is literally “remain.” It can be translated to resist, stand against, and stand together. I wonder if “stand together” really was the point. Exodus 12:37 tells us that 600,000 men left Egypt and 13:18 tells us they “went up armed for battle.” Egypt was coming with all its chariots … but what could Pharaoh have really done against such an army? When God’s people panic and it becomes every man for himself, there is no strength.
“You will see the salvation of the Lord” It doesn’t come across in English translations, but this too was a command; ‘Look to see the Lord’s deliverance.’ God’s people were to be watching for, eagerly expecting God’s rescue. The Hebrew word here is Yeshua. Those of us who have met our Deliver should be eagerly looking for what He will do on our behalf!
“You have only to be silent” Again … a command … be silent! We are so worried about being heard these days … but what if there was more power in a certain kind of silence? (Isaiah 30:15)
