Dear Family,
Today is Wednesday, April 20, 2022. This is Day 4 of Week 1 in our Count to Pentecost.
After several days of walking, the ancient Israelites neared the Red Sea. Until Israel had crossed the Red Sea, they were technically still in the land of Egypt even though they had walked for several days. It was at the Red Sea that they realized Pharaoh was in hot pursuit.
But God was not caught off guard! He had one last blow to deliver to Egypt and its gods. Not only had God promised deliverance to the Israelites, He also promised to judge the Egyptians and their gods so that all the world would know that HE was God. And, at the Red Sea, God took the opportunity to do just that!
God had sent the plagues to reveal Himself to the Egyptians in a mighty, spectacular way. The plagues were against the Egyptians as well as all of their gods, including the god-Pharaoh. Through the centuries, many unbelievers have attempted to explain away God’s supernatural intervention against Egypt and its gods by insisting the plagues were simply natural disasters. But they were true miracles specifically directed at what God had judged to be worthy of destruction.
Exodus 12:12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.
Exodus 7:4-5 (4) But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. (5) And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.
When the ancient Israelites walked away from their Egyptian slavery, the nation of Egypt was in shambles. Yet, it was at the Red Sea that God completed His plan. God did not finish His judgment against Egypt and its gods until Pharaoh and his horsemen were cast into the sea and destroyed. We find a song of triumph in Exodus 15, and a clear statement from God in Romans 9 about His purpose for dealing with Pharaoh as He did.
Exodus 15:19 For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.
Romans 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh; Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
Let us pray for God’s purposes and will to be done as He again declares His name in these last days!
Ben Faulkner, Pastor
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