Still Learning

But the people of Israel had walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, as the water stood up like a wall on both sides. Exodus 14:29

Last week I couldn't get away from Psalm 18. Yesterday, it was Exodus 14. I didn't think that I needed to dig deeper into this lesson, but apparently I do.The story of the Israelites is just one of my favorite in the Bible. Certainly, the example they gave is valuable to Christians today. We must be reminded that this is more than a story of the miracles of God (classic Sunday School approach); these situations are the very ones we will face, differing only in environment. But what I love and enjoy most are the conversations between God and Moses. Moses goes to God stressed and frustrated, releasing his emotions to him...but he does it respectfully and fearfully, which is all God really could expect from the poor leader in those circumstances. Job has nothing over Moses when it comes to patience. At the Red Sea, with the Egyptians bearing down on the Israelites, God tells Moses he's going to use this as an opportunity to prove to the Egyptians that he is the true God. Moses in turn says to the Israelites, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. " (verse 13)Slight misunderstanding on Moses' part, God comes right back with, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!" (verse 15). Another lesson on our part. Here's a part I always missed, or rather was never taught, it took the whole night for the wind of God to dry the passage through the Red Sea (verse 21). God's salvation wasn't immediate, however movies and Sunday School make it out to be. The Israelites had to wait on God's timing before they could move ahead. They had to wait with the knowledge that Pharaoh's chariots were bearing down on them. They had to wait on God.