I Will Follow GOD'S Leading - Exodus 13 -15 - July 16, 2006

Sunday School Lesson – I Will Follow GOD’S Leading – July 16, 2006

This is lesson three (3) in our series “My Declaration of Dependence.”

In last Sunday’s study, Moses and Aaron have met with the elders of the Israelites and convinced them they are representing GOD. GOD will deliver HIS people from the bondage of slavery.

GOD is building trust and confidence in the Israelites and is drawing the battle line for the Pharaoh # 3/king. The Old Testament depicts GOD as a warrior. The early copiers of the scriptures were hesitant to refer to GOD as a warrior but GOD is fighting for HIS people. This is a battle between the Pharaoh, who was thought to be divine, the gods of the Egyptians and the GOD of the Israelites. The Egyptians needed to know that the GOD of the Israelites is the true GOD. GOD is teaching the Egyptians and the Israelites that HE is sovereign and in control.

GOD has brought ten (10) plagues upon the Egyptians. When GOD delivered the last plague, the death of the firstborn son of the Egyptians, including Pharaoh’s own son, Pharaoh finally let the Israelites go.

The blood of the lamb saved the firstborn son of the Israelites. The blood of GOD’S only son JESUS saves us and delivers us from sin and death. The Israelites began their journey to know GOD after they were freed from the bondage of slavery and Christians being their journey to experience GOD when CHRIST has set them free from sin and death.

Our background scripture is Exodus 13:17-15:21.

Our focus scripture is Exodus 13:17-18, 20-22; 14:5-6, 10, 13-14, (15-31 as background), 14:31; 15:1-3, 11-13.

Let’s read Exodus 1317-18:

17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road to the land of the Philistines, even though it was nearby; for God said, “The people will change their minds and return to Egypt if they face war.” 18 So He led the people around toward the • Red Sea along the road of the wilderness. And the Israelites left the land of Egypt in battle formation.

When Pharaoh let the Israelites go, GOD did not lead them along a well traveled trade route called the Via Maris or “the way to the sea.” It would have been the shortest route to the Promised Land. But it was a trade route along which the Egyptians had established outposts.

Each outpost had armed military garrisons guarding them and to enforce trade tolls. If the Israelites happened to get past these outposts, they would have encountered the Philistines, which would have meant fighting.

GOD knew that the Israelites were not ready or trained to fight. GOD wanted to show them that HE could take care of them. HE would fight their battle and at the same time build confidence in HIS people.

GOD is leading them on a route that leads them toward the Red Sea. Remember GOD is building confidence in the Israelites and wants the Egyptians to know that the GOD of the Israelites is defeating them and their gods. GOD wants the Israelites to know that HE is their deliverer. It is likely that the fact they are going toward the Red Sea is one of the reasons Pharaoh decided to go after the Israelites. Because he thought he would have them trapped between his mighty army and the Red Sea, an easy victory.

Even though the Israelites are not trained in warfare they leave Egypt in battle formation. Bible scholars believe this is to show organization and to move up to 2 million people in an orderly fashion.

Let’s read Exodus 13:20-22:

20 They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness. 21 The Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to lead them on their way during the day and in a pillar of fire to give them light at night, so that they could travel day or night. 22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night never left its place in front of the people.

The Israelites are camped on the edge of the wilderness. They left Succoth and camped at Etham. These are likely two (2) oases. The LORD is visibly with them day and night, watching over them and protecting them.

This is to comfort HIS people and is a message to us today.

GOD wants us to know that HE is never off duty. HE is 24/7. Often when we are going through dark times in our lives we think GOD is no where around. We shout out “GOD where are YOU when we need YOU?” Remember the cloud. GOD never forsakes us or leaves us. We may have to ask our LORD to show us the cloud to comfort us during the dark times. It is the pillar of fire that shows us the way during the dark times in our lives.

Let’s read Exodus 14:5-6, 10, 13-14:

5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about the people and said: “What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us.” 6 So he got his chariot ready and took his troops[1] Lit people with him; 7 he took 600 of the best chariots and all the rest of the chariots of Egypt, with officers in each one. 8 The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the Israelites, who were going out triumphantly.[2] Lit with a raised hand 9 The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, his horsemen,[3] Or chariot drivers and his army—chased after them and caught up with them as they camped by the sea beside Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. 10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw the Egyptians coming after them. Then the Israelites were terrified and cried out to the Lord for help. 11 They said to Moses: “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you took us to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Isn’t this what we told you in Egypt: Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” 13 But Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation He will provide for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you must be quiet.”

The Egyptians were grieving for the lost of their first born sons. When the grieving ended, they realized that they had let their slave labor go. They changed their minds and the Pharaoh assembled his best warriors to go after and bring the Israelites back to Egypt.

Normally a chariot had a driver and an archer. This time the chariot had a driver, archer and an officer.

Verse 8 makes it clear that GOD wanted them to know who was in control. This is a final battle between Pharaoh, Pharaoh’s best fighters, the gods of Egypt and the GOD of the Israelites. GOD is demonstrating HIS power to both the Egyptians and the Israelites.

Pharaoh learns that the Israelites are in Baal-zephon. Remember GOD is leading the Israelites and they have backtracked. This gives Pharaoh the impression that they were lost and possibly confused. GOD was baiting the trap.

The mighty Egyptian army is racing toward the Israelites. The Israelites have their backs to the Red Sea. Not a good situation for the Israelites to be facing.

GOD allows us to face some tough situations to reveal to us any number of truths. The Israelites are terrified and cried out to the LORD for help. They accuse Moses of leading them into the wilderness to die. The Israelites are ready to give up and return to Egypt. Slavery is better than dieing in the wilderness.

GOD has built confidence in Moses and he has overcome his fear. Moses has taken the leadership position that GOD knew he had and the reason HE chose him in the first place. Moses reveals the confidence he has in GOD to the Israelites. Moses tells the Israelites “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation He will provide for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you must be quiet.”

Moses is confident of victory. GOD does not want the Israelites to lift a finger because HE wants them to know it is HE WHO fights their battles. GOD is the mighty warrior.

As Christians we each face battles every day. Sometimes we encounter situations around us through others. Just know this. We are in a spiritual battle each moment of our lives after we become a Christian. Ephesians 6:12 reveals to us who we are fighting. This is why CHRIST sent us the HOLY SPIRIT to indwell each Christian.

Ephesians 6:12

12 For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.[11] Eph 1:3,20; 2:6; 3:10 13 This is why you must take up the full armor[12] 1 Th 5:8 of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.

GOD fights our battles. GOD has equipped us with the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT. 1 John 4:4 tells us - 4 You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

CHRIST has already defeated the enemy.

Keep in mind that this is a situation where the Israelites have been obedient to GOD. There are situations we get into because of being disobedient. I think this is where Romans 8:28 comes into effect.

28 We know that all things work together[16] Other mss read that God works together in all things for the good[17] The ultimate good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

Verse 28, I think means, GOD is the ONE working in all things to bring about the best that can come of a situation. Things are not the driver but GOD is. I think this means the things we have brought upon ourselves through bad decisions, circumstances and sin. When we confess our sin, GOD forgives but we may have to suffer the consequences of our sin.

Verses 13 and 14 are awesome. See the LORD’S Salvation.
The word “salvation” means deliverance. The Israelites were terrified and were delivered from the Egyptians. They were in a helpless situation. They were in a situation in which they could do nothing for themselves. They had the Red Sea on one side and the Egyptian army on the other side bearing down on them fast. They saw no way out. Notice how calm Moses is with the situation. Moses is showing complete confidence in GOD’S ability and power to fight this well trained army.

This is a situation of physical deliverance from a physical foe. This gives us a beautiful picture of GOD’S deliverance for each of us from the bondage of sin and death through HIS ONLY SON JESUS.

All of mankind faces the foe of sin and death. Mankind has no way to escape sin and death on its own. There is nothing mankind can do to save itself. Mankind is in a desperate situation to escape from the enemy of sin and death. But GOD through HIS grace and mercy sent HIS SON JESUS to die for us. JESUS took upon HIM our sin and conquered death for us and set us free to become children of GOD and experience the miracle of rebirth. We have been saved from sure destruction by the power of GOD to live eternally with HIM as HIS children.

Let’s read Exodus 14:15-31: This is background scripture and includes verse 31, which we will discuss in the next set of scripture. As this is read, think about this being an example of our deliverance from sin and death.

Escape through the Red Sea
15 The Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to break camp. 16 As for you, lift up your staff, stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide it so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. 17 I am going to harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them, and I will receive glory by means of Pharaoh, all his army, and his chariots and horsemen. 18 The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I receive glory through Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.” 19 Then the Angel of God, who was going in front of the Israelite forces, moved and went behind them. The pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and stood behind them. 20 It came between the Egyptian and Israelite forces. The cloud was there [in]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the darkness, yet it lit up the night.[4] Perhaps the cloud brought darkness to the Egyptians but light to the Israelites; Ex 10:22–23; Ps 105:39 So neither group came near the other all night long. 21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea [back]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. with a powerful east wind all that night and turned the sea into dry land. So the waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground,[5] Jos 3:17; 4:18,22 with the waters [like]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. a wall to them on their right and their left. 23 The Egyptians set out in pursuit—all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen—and went into the sea after them. 24 Then during the morning watch, the Lord looked down on the Egyptian forces from the pillar of fire and cloud, and threw them into confusion. 25 He caused their chariot wheels to swerve[6] Sam, LXX, Syr read He bound their chariot wheels [7] Or fall off and made them drive[8] Or and they drove them with difficulty. “Let’s get away from Israel,” the Egyptians said, “because the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt!” 26 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may come back on the Egyptians, on their chariots and horsemen.” 27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea returned to its normal depth. While the Egyptians were trying to escape from it, the Lord overthrew them in the sea. 28 The waters came back and covered the chariots and horsemen, the entire army of Pharaoh, that had gone after them into the sea. None of them survived. 29 But the Israelites had walked through the sea on dry ground, with the waters [like]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. a wall to them on their right and their left. 30 That day the Lord saved Israel from the power of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 When Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, the people • feared the Lord and believed in Him and in His servant Moses.

This was background for our next set of scriptures.

Let’s read Exodus 14:31 and Exodus 15:1-3, 11-13:

31 When Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, the people • feared the Lord and believed in Him and in His servant Moses.

1 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord. They said: I will sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted; He has thrown the horse and its rider into the sea. 2 The Lord is my strength and my song;[1] Or might He has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. 3 The Lord is a warrior; • Yahweh is His name.

11 Lord, who is like You among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, revered with praises, performing wonders? 12 You stretched out Your right hand, and the earth swallowed them. 13 You will lead the people You have redeemed with Your faithful love; You will guide [them]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. to Your holy dwelling with Your strength.

GOD built confidence into the Israelites. They saw that HE had protected them. They saw and were intimate with the mighty miracle GOD performed in their behalf. This resulted in the Israelites having a reverential fear of GOD and had faith in HIM.

The Israelites broke into song to express their gratitude. The LORD is my strength.

When we asked CHRIST into our lives some of us may have experienced the wonderful freedom of being set free from our hopeless situation. Such joy may have swept over us and we too may have broken out in an expression of song or praise.

If you know that you have asked CHRIST into your life and did not have such an experience, do not let that cause you a problem. As each of us is unique, each of us encounters GOD in his own way. For some, it is a moment of joy and outward expression with an inward sense of well being. To others it is like the rising of the sun in the morning. We know the sun rose but we don’t know exactly when we can say it rose. We know we are saved but it is difficult for us to know the exact moment it occurred.

The HOLY SPIRIT confirms in each of our hearts that we are the children of GOD. Romans 8:16-17 - 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—seeing that[13] Or provided that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

This song expresses some of the character GOD has built into the hearts of the Israelites based upon the encounter they had experienced. As we study GOD’S word, pray, serve and obey GOD we also encounter GOD and HE reveals Himself to us. In turn, as we encounter GOD, it builds our character, confidence and trust in HIM. This in turn builds the relationship GOD wants us to have to experience HIM and to know HIM.

As we discussed in last week’s lesson, GOD with us results in a different concept of GOD as compared to GOD in us. GOD with us is an essential step that has to be taken before we can comprehend GOD in us.

My prayer is that all of us will experience the wonder of knowing we are children of GOD through JESUS CHRIST our SAVIOR and LORD and experiencing HIS power manifested through us each day. Amen.