Burley W. Moore-Bible Teacher

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Volume 16, Number 1 January Winter 2021

Going Forward or Else

“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. 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? 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. 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 shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: 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 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. 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. 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: 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. And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians. And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.” (Ex. 14:10-31)

Introduction

As we stand on the brink of another new year, we look back over the past year and find historic happenings of pandemic proportions that we pray we’ll never have to deal with again. However, this time last year we had no idea that Covid-19 would sweep around the entire globe. Likewise, as we enter into this new year, neither do any of us know what lies before us. For the Christian, this one thing we do know and that is absolutely nothing takes our God by surprise and his expectation of us is to go forward, trusting Him every step of the way.

Our text records one of the most remarkable miracles in all the Old Testament. God called “Moses” to lead some 600,000 men plus women and children out of Egyptian bondage. After ten different plagues were sent upon the “Egyptians,” then “Pharaoh” finally consented to release the Israelites from slavery. After their departure, “Israel” progressed to the edge of the wilderness where they found themselves surrounded on two sides by wilderness and mountains, on the third side by Pharaoh’s army and on the fourth side by the “Red sea” (Ex. 15:4). In this seemingly defenseless position, God wanted to teach His people that He is “the Lord” (Ex 14:4). It wasn’t necessary that “Israel” take this particular route out of Egypt because it would have been nearer to have gone through the “land of the Philistines” (Ex. 13:17-18). However, God chose to lead them a new route, to take a path of no human escape where they could learn the meaning of the Great “I AM” (Ex. 3:14, 14:4,18).

Even though the people were apparently hemmed in from every direction, God’s expection of His people was to “go forward” (Ex. 14:10-15). If “Israel” had not chosen to “go forward,” then their only other alternative was to perish by the hand of “Pharaoh.” Whenever a sinner is released from the bondage of sin, then he too must “go forward” with God or else his witness for the Lord will perish. God’s desire for new converts is to spiritually progress and mature in Christ. This is what we often refer to as sanctification. It means that just as we grow physically, God wants us to grow spiritually and not remain “babes in Christ” (I Cor. 3:1-2). We need to note that in equipping us with the “whole armor of God” (Eph. 6:11), there is no protection given for the back simply because God never sounds the trumpet of retreat from the enemy of our souls. God’s plan for His church of today is to advance and “go forward” so that we can witness how God will add to His church “such as should be saved” (Acts. 2:47).

Spiritual progress, advancement, and maturity produces joy in the Christian’s life as he is enroute to Heaven. Once “Israel” crossed over the “Red sea” and proceeded toward the Promised Land, they enjoyed the blessings and benefits all along the way. This included such things as water from the Rock, victory over the Amalekites, instructions at Sinai, manna from Heaven, and many more miracles. However, when they became fearful and believed the report from the majority of the non-believing spies, they began wandering for 40 long years in the wilderness during which time everyone 20 years of age and older started dying off the scene. How many times have we parents told our little children to do such and such or else? Most the time they would know what the “or else” meant. The only alternative to going “forward” with God is backsliding and decaying spiritually. God’s command to every blood bought believer is to “go forward.” As we enter into this study, let’s ask ourselves, “what does it mean and what’s involved in going “forward” with God.”

To Go Forward with God Means to Live by Faith v.16

Christian “faith” involves far more than salvation and heavenly expectation. Frequently, throughout life, God will test our “faith” in order to teach us of His sufficiency. Every born again believer is required to live by “faith” because “without faith it is impossible to please” God (Heb. 11:6). Evidence of having been justified by God is a life lived “by faith” (Rom. 1:17). It’s impossible to exercise genuine “faith” without outwardly demonstrating it in “works” (Jam. 2:26). Like “Moses” who was told by God to “stretch out” his “hand over the sea and divide it,” we also are required to first act upon the claim of God’s promises and expect in “faith” for God to be true to His Word.

We cannot sit around doing nothing and expect God to do something merely because God doesn’t honor laziness, but “works” of “faith” (Jam. 2:14-26). With “Moses” God required him to use his “rod” in “faith” and promised to let the “children of Israel” pass through the “sea … on dry ground.” God required “David,” the shepherd boy, to use what he had in his hand, his “sling” and “stone” (I Sam. 17:50) and by “faith” he defeated the Philistine giant. Both “Moses” and “David” would have looked mighty foolish if the “sea” had not parted and the “giant” had not fallen. However, they both took God at His Word, believed Him in “faith,” and obeyed His command (Ex. 14:21-22). As the Israelites entered into the “sea,” they didn’t expect to get their feet wet in muddy mire because the “dry ground” upon which they walked was a “land” of “faith.” From the very beginning of Moses’ life, it was characterized by “faith” (Heb. 11:23-29).

To Go Forward with God Means That the Devil Will Stay on Your Trail v.17-18

God is well aware of the Satanic attack that will be launched against a Christian. For that reason, He equips us with a spiritual “armour” consisting of such things as “the shield of faith … and the sword of the spirit” (Eph. 6:11-18). Being clothed in the “whole armour of God” is like being clothed in the power of the Holy Spirit and able to say, “greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world” (I Jh. 4:4). The “Egyptians” were permitted to “follow” the Israelites in order for God to be glorified and receive the “honor.” Like the “children of Israel,” Christians will be tested, tempted, and tried in preparation for greater spiritual service. Anytime a local church or a Christian is going “forward” with God, then Satan will seek to hinder, hurt, frustrate, and obstruct us.

To Go Forward with God Means that Heavenly Angels will Fortify Us v. 19-20

Heavenly “angels” are God’s appointees over His saints (Heb. 1:13-14). The study of “angels” is a beautiful study unto itself. We learn from the Word of God that “angels” often guard, guide, protect, and minister to believers in times of need. Especially in difficult times, like with a “cloud” when “Israel” was protected by Pharaoh’s army. “Angels may not be seen, but we can be assured and aware of their presence (Ps. 91:11). An “angel … shut the lion’s mouths” for Daniel when he was thrown into the lion’s den (Dan: 6:22). “Angels” came and ministered unto” Jesus after His temptation (Matt. 4:11). It was an “angel of the Lord” that delivered the apostles from prison (Acts 5:19).

We learn about the activity of “angels” among God’s people throughout both the Old and New Testaments. However, this “angel of God” in our text is believed by some to be none other than our Lord Himself. Sometimes due to the context, it’s debated if the wording refers to an “angel” sent from God, or God appearing in a theophany, a visual manifestation of Himself (Gen. 18:1-33, 22:11-18, 32:24-30, Ex. 3:2-6). Since the word “angel” means messenger, there are times when the word “angel” is associated with earthly messengers (Gen. 21:17, 31:11). We may never know the exact interpretation of this passage on this side of Glory, but we do know that there were times when God appeared in a theophany in the Old Testament, there were times when He sent “angels” down to minister to His people (Matt. 1:20, Lk. 1:26-38), and there were times when the word “angel” is translated as a human messenger of God such as a pastor (Rev. 1:20). Regardless of how this word “angel” is used, it doesn’t lessen the fact that God is doing a supernatural work in the lives of His people. God’s “angels” are His secret agents who minister to believers in times of need. But, above all, the believer has the empowerment of the indwelling Holy Spirit upon Whom to rely every second of every day the rest of our lives.

To Go Forward with God Means that He Will Fight our Battles for us v.21-29

The only reason why a Christian can confront and do battle with the Devil is because our victory was won over 2,000 years ago at the empty tomb. For that reason, we can sing, “it’s no longer I who lives now, but Christ Who liveth in me.” Apart from the power of Jesus Christ, we’re no match for the Devil. I like what one of my professors said in class years ago, “when the Devil rings your doorbell, sent Jesus to answer it.” In doing battle with Satan and his host of Hell, we must learn to say as did “David” as he faced “Goliath ………...the battle is the Lord’s” (I Sam. 17:47). Always remember that God is always true to His Word and it’s impossible for Him to lie. He promised to “fight for” Israel (v.14) if they would only trust Him and He fulfilled His promise by fighting “for them against the Egyptians” (v.25). When the “wall” of water began tumbling down upon the “Egyptian” army, they “fled” (v.27) in similar fashion to the way Satan will “flee” from us when he discovers that he’s a defeated foe (Jam. 4:7).

To Go Forward with God Means that Your Witness Will be Feared v.30-31

God demonstrated His power before both the nation of “Israel” and the “Egyptians” by performing a miracle. This story is not talking about a natural passage through a swamp, but a mighty miracle of God’s intervention and deliverance on behalf of His people. The crossing of the “Red sea” was a witness of God toward His people who dared to “go forward” with God and not look back (Phil 3:14). News of this occasion bore evidence of God’s hand being upon the nation of “Israel” and caused even the inhabitants of the land where they were about to enter their respect. If we want to see God do a “great work” (v.31) in or midst, then we must “go forward.” The obedience of “Israel” led them to safety, but if they had chosen not to “go forward” they would have been overtaken by their enemy.

Closing

Before we can “go forward” with God we must first learn to “stand still’ (v.13) and wait for His marching orders. Once God’s will be revealed, we need to pursue it without delay and reservation. “Moses” obeyed God and expected the “Red sea” to become their open passage of escape from the army of Egypt. Living in “faith” means living in expectation of God’s intervention in our lives. What are you expecting from God today? God is still saving people from their sins just like He “saved Israel ….. out of the hand of the Egyptians.” Like Pharaoh who wanted to keep “Israel” in bondage, the Devil wants to keep a sinner in the bondage of sin. Therefore, he doesn’t easily let go. If a sinner is ever converted to Christ, then he can expect Satan to trail him every step of the way Home, seeking to ruin his testimony by trying to take him back into Egypt, which is a picture of worldly ungodly living. Every believer is either spiritually growing closer to Christ through prayer and Bible Study or else going backward, sliding down the hill of holiness. Unless we’re growing in the grace and knowledge of God’s Word and going “forward” with God, then we’re robbing ourselves of the blessings that God has in store for us. If you’re confronting a “Red sea” trial and feel hemmed in on every side, then just remember that our God is the same today that He’s always been and He specializes in deliverance from the enemy of our souls (I Jh. 4:4)