THE MIRACLES OF DELIVERANCE – THE RED SEA
“…the Lord brought us forth ….with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders…” (EZEKIEL 13:3 KJV).
*
God DELIVERED Israel out of BONDAGE mightily and he used miraculous signs and wonder to do it. What message was God sending through his GREAT DELIVERANCE? “…I’ve also done it so you can tell your children and grandchildren about how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and about the signs I displayed among them—and so you will know that I am the Lord…” (Exodus 10:1-2 NLT). “…your deliverer…” (Psalms 18:3 NASB).
“… “I AM WHO I AM ’ This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations…” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “…I am the Lord, the God of all flesh…” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV). "… I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God…" (Revelation 1:8 NASB). “… I the LORD … the first, and with the last. I am He...'" (Isaiah 41:4 NASB). “…there is none like unto thee…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV). “…You are very GREAT…” (Psalm 104:1-2 NASB).
“… he [THAT] hath done marvellous things…” (Psalm 98:1 KJV).
After the Israelites left Egypt, King Pharaoh and his army attempted to come after them and bring them back into bondage.
“…When word reached the king of Egypt that the Israelites had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. “What have we done, letting all those Israelite slaves get away?” they asked. So Pharaoh harnessed his chariot and called up his troops. He took with him 600 of Egypt’s best chariots, along with the rest of the chariots of Egypt, each with its commander. The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, so he chased after the people of Israel, who had left with fists raised in defiance. The Egyptians chased after them with all the forces in Pharaoh’s army—all his horses and chariots, his charioteers, and his troops. The Egyptians caught up with the people of Israel as they were camped beside the shore near Pi-hahiroth, across from Baal-zephon. As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the Lord, and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’” (Exodus 14:1-14 NLT).
God HEARD the cries of his people at the entrance of the RED SEA. He DELIVERED them mightily by parting the RED SEA so they could get to safety.
“… You heard their cries from beside the Red Sea. You displayed miraculous signs and wonders against Pharaoh, his officials, and all his people, for you knew how arrogantly they were treating our ancestors. You have a glorious reputation that has never been forgotten. You divided the sea for your people so they could walk through on dry land! And then you hurled their enemies into the depths of the sea. They sank like stones beneath the mighty waters…” (Nehemiah 9:9-12 NLT).
He also defeated their enemies once and for all so they would NEVER be bothered by them again!! “..The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again…” (Exodus 14:13-14 NLT).
God Always wants his people to REMEMBER he is their GREAT DELIVERER!! “…I’ve also done it … so you will know that I am the Lord…” (Exodus 10:1-2 NLT). “…your deliverer…” (Psalms 18:3 NASB). “…For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning…” (Romans 15:4 KJV).
“… They [were to remember] those days of old when Moses led his people out of Egypt. [When] they cried out, “Where is the one who brought Israel through the sea, with Moses as their shepherd? Where is the one who sent his Holy Spirit to be among his people? Where is the one whose power was displayed when Moses lifted up his hand—the one who divided the sea before them, making himself famous forever? Where is the one who led them through the bottom of the sea? They were like fine stallions racing through the desert, never stumbling. As with cattle going down into a peaceful valley, the Spirit of the Lord gave them rest. [God] led [his] people … and gained a magnificent reputation…” (Isaiah 63:11-14 NLT).
“…… I am God, and there is none like me…" (Isaiah 46:9-10 KJV). “… “I AM” WHO I AM…” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “… [God] … is Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer, Your GOD, Your rock, in whom [you] … take refuge; Your shield and the horn of Your salvation, YOUR stronghold.…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB).
The Israelites were FREE when they were DELIVERED from the Egyptians, but the RED SEA erased any lingering doubts or concerns!! “..The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again…” (Exodus 14:13-14 NLT). “…The people of Israel …walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, as the water stood up like a wall on both sides. That is how the Lord rescued Israel from the hand of the Egyptians that day. And the Israelites saw the bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the seashore. When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the Lord had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the Lord and in his servant Moses … (Exodus 14:29-31 KJV).
God bought them OUT and DELIVERED them permanently at the RED SEA by erasing ALL the past and giving them a NEW start as FREED people of God! “…your deliverer…” (Psalms 18:3 NASB).
“…I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered [THEM] out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that oppressed you…” (1 Samuel 10:18 KJV). “…When your ancestors arrived at the Red Sea, the Egyptians chased after [them] with chariots and charioteers. When [the] ancestors cried out to the Lord, [HE[ put darkness between [them] and the Egyptians. [He] brought the sea crashing down on the Egyptians, drowning them. With [their] very own eyes [they] saw what I did…” (Joshua 24:6-7 NLT). “… Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his servant Moses.…” (Exodus 14:30-31 KJV). “…Blessed be the Lord, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians…” (Exodus 18:10 KJV). “…the Lord loved [his people], and he… [kept] the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers… the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt…” (Deuteronomy 7:8 KJV).
God has NOT changed. He STILL DELIVERS!! “… [God] … is Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer, Your GOD, Your rock, in whom [you] … take refuge; Your shield and the horn of Your salvation, YOUR stronghold.…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “Jesus Christ (THE WORD) is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).
Eventually God’s people abandoned him and forgot all about his GREAT DELIVERANCE. After Egypt, they went into bondage over and over again. “….They ABANDONED the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods …” (Judges 2:12 NLT).
“…Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually ABANDONED ME and followed other gods…” (1 Samuel 8:8 NLT). “…They ABANDONED the Lord to serve Baal …” (Judges 2:13 NLT). “…They ABANDONED the Lord… they turned their backs on him….” (2 Chronicles 29:6 NLT). “… [They] became proud and FORGOT [God]….” (Hosea 13:6 NLT). “…Does a young woman forget her jewelry, or a bride her wedding dress? Yet for years on end my people have FORGOTten ME…” (Jeremiah 2:32 NLT).
“…I called my son (children) out of Egypt. But the more I called to [them[, the farther [they] moved from me, offering sacrifices to the images of Baal and burning incense to idols. I myself taught Israel how to walk, leading [them] along by the hand. But [they don’t] know or even care that it was I who took care of [them[. I led Israel along with my ropes of kindness and love. I lifted the yoke from [their] neck, and I myself stooped to feed [them]. “But since my people refuse to return to me, they will return to Egypt (a type of bondage) and... [The bondage] will destroy them, trapping them in their own evil plans. For my people are determined to desert me. They call me the Most High, but they don’t truly honor me. “Oh, how can I give you up, Israel? How can I let you go? How can I destroy you …My heart is torn within me, and my compassion overflows. No, I will not unleash my fierce anger. I will not completely destroy Israel, for I am God and not a mere mortal. I am the Holy One living among you, and I will not come to destroy. For someday the people will follow me. I, the Lord, will roar like a lion. And when I roar, my people will return …And I will bring them home again,” says the Lord….” (HOSEA 11 NLT).
Some people say: “…I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. …I [am] …a slave to the sin (the Egypt) that is … within me. Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “….O … God, what can we say after all of this? …ONCE AGAIN we have ABANDONED your commands!” (Ezra 9:10 NLT). NOW, “the whole world lies under the power (the bondage) of the evil one” (1 John 5:19 RSV).
“…BY THE WORD of the Lord … [God will DELIVER YOU] …” (Psalms 33:6 NASB). “… I will bring them home again,” says the Lord….” (HOSEA 11 NLT). “…… I am God, and there is none like me…" (Isaiah 46:9-10 KJV). “… “I AM” WHO I AM…” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “… [God] … is Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer, …" (Psalms 18:3 NASB).
This TIME he SENT his Son!! “…[God]…sent His Son...” (1 John 4:10 KJV). God …sent His Son to be the propitiation (substitute, intervention) for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “…He gave his only begotten Son,…” (John 3:16 KJV).
“…For Christ … died for sins ONCE for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us [home again] to God…” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB). “… I will bring them home again,” says the Lord….” (HOSEA 11 NLT). “… [He sent the] …one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT).
As great as the Egyptian and Red Sea deliverance was, God had an even GREATER DELIVERANCE planned through Jesus Christ.“…Great is his love … and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD” (Psalms 117:2 KJV). “…[GOD] remembered his covenant with them (THROUGH ABRAHAM) …” (Psalms 106:42-48 NLT). To Abraham he said: “…I will BLESS thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a BLESSING: And I will BLESS them that BLESS thee …in thee shall all families of the earth be BLESSED…” (Genesis 12:2-3 KJV).
No matter how many times God had to deliver HIS people, it couldn’t KEEP them free from bondage. “Again and again [God] rescued them, but they chose to rebel against him, and they were finally destroyed by their sin…” (Psalm 106:39-43 NLT).
If God’s deliverances, alone, could keep them free from bondage they wouldn’t have cried out for his help over and over and over again. “…the righteous CRY and Lord the heareth and delivereth them out of ALL their troubles…” (Psalms 34:17 KJV). “…Again and again [God] rescued them…” (Psalm 106:39-43 NLT).
Instead, they would forget and abandon God, their GREAT DELIVERER and he would have to repeatedly rescue them. “… Their enemies (SINS) [would crush] them and [bring] them under their cruel power. Again and again [God] rescued them, but they chose to rebel against him, and they were finally destroyed by their sin…” (Psalm 106:39-43 NLT).
God planned to send a DELIVERER that could RESCUE the people from BONDAGE once-for-all!! “… [His Son]… gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father…” (Galatians 1:4 KJV). “…Christ … died for sins ONCE for all…” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB).
The deliverance from sin is the GREATEST DELIVERANCE of all. GREATER than when the Israeli’s were bought out of Egypt. GREATER than the parting of the Red Sea. “…Many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn't see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn't hear it…” (Matthew 13:17 NLT).
Biblical ancestors LONGED to see Jesus Christ, the Messiah and to HEAR him speak the WORDS of God.
They LONGED to experience the mystery and secret deliverance of God’s plan of GRACE through Jesus, but could ONLY imagine it, by faith, from a distance. “…And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth…” (Ephesians 1:9 NLT).
God has NOW revealed to you his mysterious will of DELIVERANCE through Jesus Christ. “…Having made known unto [you] the mystery of his will, according to his GOOD PLEASURE which he hath purposed in himself…” (Ephesians 1:9 KJV). “…it is GIVEN unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven…” (Matthew 13:11-12 NASB). “….resulting in a true knowledge of God's MYSTERY, that is, Christ Himself…” (Colossians 2:2 NASB). “…The MYSTERY that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord's people…” (Colossians 1:26 NIV). “….the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of THE MYSTERY which has been kept secret for long ages past…” (Romans 16:25 NASB). “…by revelation there was made known to me THE MYSTERY… when you read you can understand my insight into THE MYSTERY of Christ… to bring to light what is the administration of THE MYSTERY which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things…” (Ephesians 3:3-4, 9 NASB). “….attaining to all the wealth ….resulting in a true knowledge of God's MYSTERY, that is, Christ Himself…” (Colossians 2:2 NASB). “…praying …that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth THE MYSTERY of Christ…” (Colossians 4:3 NASB). “…God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of THIS MYSTERY …which is CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of glory…” (Colossians 1:27 NASB).
“…BY THE WORD of the Lord … [God will DELIVER you from SIN] …” (Psalms 33:6 NASB). “…… I am God, and there is none like me…" (Isaiah 46:9-10 KJV). “… “I AM” WHO I AM…” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “… [God] … is Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer, …" (Psalms 18:3 NASB).
The world and sometimes God’s OWN people desperately seek signs, and wonders, and miracles or seek to discover the secret of DELIVERANCE from wickedness, but God gave the SECRET to his Children. “…THE SECRET of the Lord is with them that fear him…” (PROVERBS 25:14). “… but HIS SECRET is with the righteous…” (PROVERBS 3:32). “And I will give [my people] … HIDDEN RICHES of SECRET PLACES…” (ISAIAH 45:3). God has “… [MADE] KNOWN… [TO his people]...the RICHES of the glory … which is Christ IN YOU…” (Colossians 1:27 KJV). “…Jesus Christ IS IN YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…Christ in you, …” (Colossians 1:27 KJV). “…THE SECRET of the Lord is with [YOU]…” (PROVERBS 25:14).
“… [God] … is Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer, …" (Psalms 18:3 NASB).
No comments:
Post a Comment