Exodus 14:1-31
This is a great narration of God’s power displayed for His people whom He had chosen to deliver from the land of bondage. God is the same yesterday, today and for eternity – Malachi 3:6 – “For I am the Lord, I do not change; therefore, you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob”. In the fullness of time, when it was time for God to deliver the children of Israel, God found Moses as it was stated in Exodus 3. The move to Egypt was to alleviate famine and for them to settle in a land where Joseph and subsequently his brothers and their entire family had found favour. However, over the years, the descendants of Israel (Jacob) multiplied and were put into slavery by a new king of Egypt who did not know Joseph but became afraid of their growth – Exodus 1:8-11.
All that happened to the children of Israel was already known to God – See Genesis 15:13, but could the Israelites have avoided this?
The power of God is available to everyone who will stay attuned to the Lord and the Holy Spirit. In Mark 6:7 – “And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits”. These twelve were Jesus’ followers whom He encouraged day and night. They had left the world behind including their families and carried their crosses to follow Him.
Matthew 16:24 – Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
With a deeper reflection on the above, is there an insinuation that the power of God will only manifest through those who are ready to follow the Lord wholeheartedly? The Church of Christ is at a crossroad, and this is the time to make the decision to follow Jesus Christ fully and no one and nothing else.
Comparing the move of God in the Old and the New Testaments, one can come to the following conclusion:
- The power of God is available to all those who believe in the Lord Jesus and put their trust in Him
– Mark 16:17-18 - God now speaks through His Son and manifests His power in us through His Holy Spirit – Hebrews 1:1-2 | John 7:39
In this dispensation, we have all been empowered in Jesus Christ for the manifestation of God’s power.
Discussion:
- What was the reason behind the lukewarmness demonstrated by the children of Israel in Exodus 14:10-12
NB: Lukewarmness is the entertainment of faith and doubt at the same time.
Why does it seem as if we are powerless against the adversary; what is the cause & remedy for this? How can we build ourselves up to overcome in such difficult situations? - Following after Jesus is self-sacrifice. Luke 5:10-11. What does it entail?
- In Isaiah 38, we read the story of Hezekiah and how God had compassion on him and changed the verdict of early death? How do we attain this level of faith in pleading to God to turn around an unfamiliar and unwanted verdict?
Prayer.
