The Ignored Miracle
I was driving with a friend down a country road with very little street lights. To add to our challenge we were surrounded by a very dense fog. My vehicle had no fog lights. The fog was so dense I could barely see beyond the hood of my car. Of course, trying to be cautious we were driving very slowly. After a few minutes of struggling, we figure we were better off returning and doing the trip when it was clearer. The fog prevented us from going further. This event reminded me of what happened to the Egyptians on their way to kill the Israelites. But, let’s review the history before making the point.
By saying that Caleb knew what slavery was like, our lesson introduces by putting him in Egypt at the time of the Exodus. So, he witnessed God’s power with the plagues. He also witnessed God’s power in sparing the Israelites first born sons. He had been there when the Lord had led his people out of Egypt with a mighty hand. He had seen the sea open before Israel and swallow the Egyptian chariots and army.
These were mighty events that are often remembered when we talk about how God delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians. These are the examples we use when talking about what the Israelites forgot when they refused to conquer the land of Canaan. A choice that forced them to wander in the wilderness for 40 years until all that rebellious generation died. But, often forgotten is how God stalled the Egyptians with a dense cloud. An event I remember when I think how the fog prevented my friend and I from driving down that country road.
If we recall the people of Israel had reached the Red Sea; which meant they could not travel any further. Now behind them they could see the Egyptian army gaining on them. From a human point of view it seemed like a trap. At that moment the Israelites felt they had two options. Both about which death to choose: drowning in the sea or pierced by a sword. The people were sore afraid. The Biblical record shows,
Exodus 14:10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.
Exodus 14:11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?
Exodus 14:12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
Exodus 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
The Lord knew what He was doing. He told Moses what to do,
Exodus 14:16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.
And, the Lord prevented the Egyptians from getting close to the Israelites. We read in Exodus 14: 19 – 20 how,
Exodus 14:19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
Exodus 14:20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.
The dense cloud stalled the Egyptians from pursuing the Israelites (while at the same time giving light to the Israelites). Imagine the relief of the people who thought that in a few moments they would die in the hand of those pursuing them. And, the Lord kept the Egyptians in this cloud until it was certain the Israelites would cross the parted sea safely.
So, in the end it was a trap, but not for the Israelites, but for the Egyptians. The Lord fulfilled His Words to Moses in Exodus 14: 17 – 18,
Exodus 14:17 And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
Exodus 14:18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
God’s name was glorified that day. He is merciful. How soon they forgot. Are we forgetting too?
