What has Jehovah told us about obedience and salvation? Has He been silent? No! There are numerous examples given by Jehovah on His absolute, detailed, instructions which we are to obey. While this enemy appeared to them as very large, they evidently forgot just how big their Jehovah was in comparison. Let us read again how almighty is our Jehovah.
Exodus 14:15 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward.
14:16 "As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land.
Moses saw the same large body of water in front of them as did all the fearful Israelites. He also saw the vast Egyptian army quickly coming up behind them. But, Moses knew that Jehovah would save them, if he obeyed and if all of them obeyed.
14:17 "As for Me, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen.
14:18 "Then the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD, when I am honored through Pharaoh, through his chariots and his horsemen."
This is a very difficult passage as it touches on a number of the vast elements of Jehovah’s nature and character. First, Jehovah hardened Pharaoh’s heart even as He set a trap for him. Remember, Pharaoh hardened his heart many times before Jehovah condemned him for eternity. Also, Jehovah will be glorified and honored in His wrathful punishment of Pharaoh, his entire army, and the final act of the complete destruction of Egypt.
14:19 The angel of God, who had been going before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them. 14:20 So it came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel; and there was the cloud along with the darkness, yet it gave light at night. Thus the one did not come near the other all night. This messenger of Jehovah needs to be properly identified.
Exodus 23:20 "Behold, I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.
23:21 "Be on your guard before him and obey his voice; do not be rebellious toward him, for he will not pardon your transgression, since My name is in him.
23:22 "But if you truly obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.
Who can pardon or forgive sins but Jehovah? As only God can forgive sins, this messenger has to be the Son of God. Who really fights our battles and enemies?
23:23 "For My angel will go before you and bring you in to the land of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hivites and the Jebusites; and I will completely destroy them.
14:21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land, so the waters were divided.
14:22 The sons of Israel went through the midst of the sea on the dry land, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
Once again Jehovah performed a miracle in their sight. Enemies of Jehovah need to take notice of how Jehovah punishes His enemies.
More next Saturday.