Exodus – The Clue is in the Name. (Exodus 14: 1-31)

06/19/23 • 37 min

"Exodus – The Clue is in the Name"

Introduction:

Welcome to our podcast episode which today covers the dramatic event of the Exodus, described as one of the greatest miracles in history. In this episode, we explore the early stages of the Exodus story, from the departure of the children of Israel from Egypt to their encounter with the Egyptian army at the Red Sea. I attempt to answer questions regarding the authenticity of these events, as well as look at the initial reactions of the children of Israel, and the lessons we can learn from this account.

The Camp by the Red Sea:

We begin our exploration where the children of Israel are instructed by the Lord to camp by the Red Sea. Pharaoh, upon seeing their location, assumes they are trapped. The text mentions the hardening of Pharaoh's heart, emphasizing that Pharaoh had already hardened his heart prior to this. Additionally, it tells us that the Lord intended to gain honour over Pharaoh and his army.

The Chase and the Fear:

Pharaoh's pursuit of the children of Israel is described, with a formidable army of six hundred choice chariots. The children of Israel, trapped between Pharaoh's army and the sea, experience fear and begin to complain. They blame Moses for their predicament, questioning why they left Egypt to face certain death in the wilderness. Their complaints reveal a lack of belief in the Lord's promises and previous demonstrations of power.

Moses' Response and the Miracle:

Moses encourages the people to stand still and witness the salvation of the Lord. He contrasts their fear and complaints with his unwavering faith. The Lord instructs Moses to lead the people forward and stretch out his hand over the sea. The Angel of God, who I believe to be a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, guides and protects the children of Israel. A cloud separates the Egyptian army from the Israelites, providing light for the latter and darkness for the former. The Lord sends a strong east wind, dividing the waters and creating a dry path for the children of Israel to cross.

The Crossing and the Miracle's Purpose:

The Israelites courageously walk across the dry seabed, a miraculous event made possible by the Lord's intervention. Meanwhile, the pursuing Egyptian army enters the divided sea. In the morning watch, the Lord troubles the Egyptian army, and chaos ensues. The Lord's purpose throughout these events is emphasized once again: to demonstrate His power and make the Egyptians acknowledge Him as the Lord.

Conclusion:
As we reflect on this portion of the Exodus story, it becomes clear that it is more than just a historical account. It carries significant lessons for us today. The children of Israel's initial fear and complaints serve as a reminder of the dangers of unbelief and the need to trust in the Lord's promises. Moses' unwavering faith and the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea highlight the power of God to deliver us from seemingly impossible situations.

I hope you are blessed by todays episode and that you join us in future episodes as we delve further into the book of Exodus and uncover more valuable insights from this remarkable narrative.
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"Exodus – The Clue is in the Name"

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How God Cares For His Children (Exodus 13: 17-22)

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In this podcast episode, I discusses the concept of God as a father and his care for his children, drawing parallels between human parents and God's relationship with believers. The focus is on the passage from Exodus 13:17-22, where the newly liberated nation of Israel is led by God through the wilderness.

The episode begins by highlighting God's role as a father, both to Jesus Christ and to those who believe in him. Israel is referred to as God's son, and the question of when Israel was "born" is explored, with the answer commonly agreed at the point of their deliverance from Egypt in Exodus. Emphasizes that this passage is not only about Israel but also holds lessons for believers today. God instructs the Israelites to avoid the land of the Philistines, despite it being the nearest route, to prevent them from encountering war and potentially wanting to return to Egypt. This decision by God is seen as an act of care and protection for the new-born nation.

I suggest that God's care for new believers is similar, as we are protected and guided in their early stages of faith. The passage in Exodus serves as an example of how God protects and guides his children. We highlights the journey of the Israelites through the wilderness of the Red Sea and the importance of the cloud and pillar of fire as guidance and protection, emphasising the symbolism of the cloud, representing God's presence and his continuous guidance of the Israelites throughout their journey to the Promised Land. Drawing a parallel to believers today, i believe this text shows that God still protects and guides Christians. The presence of the Holy Spirit in believers is seen as a form of protection, mirroring the cloud's role in the Old Testament.

I concludes by referencing 1 Corinthians 10, where the Apostle Paul uses the example of the Israelites' journey and their relationship with the cloud as a type or illustration for believers. The passage highlights the importance of learning from the Israelites' mistakes and admonishes believers not to follow in their footsteps.

In summary, this podcast episode explores the theme of God's care for his children using the passage from Exodus 13:17-22 as a case study. It emphasizes God's role as a father, his protection and guidance of new believers, and draws lessons for believers today from the experiences of the Israelites in the wilderness. I hope you find it helpful and encouraging.
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The Song of Moses and Miriam (Exodus 15: 1-27)

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Title: The Song of Moses and Miriam:

Introduction: (Exodus 15: 1-19)
After every spiritual victory, there is often a challenging situation. Exodus 15 follows the monumental event of the Exodus from Egypt, which is considered a mountain peak in the Old Testament and Judaism. The song is divided into three stanzas..

The First Stanza.

The first stanza (verses 1-6) focuses on praising the Lord for His triumph and deliverance. The name of the Lord is emphasized, highlighting His known identity compared to ancient pagan religions.
The Second stanza.
The second stanza (verses 7-11) emphasizes the destruction of the Egyptians in the Red Sea and praises the Lord's power and holiness.
The Third stanza.
The third stanza (verses 12-19) anticipates future challenges, expressing confidence in the Lord's ability to conquer them. The conclusion affirms the Lord's eternal reign and recounts the drowning of Pharaoh's army.

The Dance (Exodus 15:20-21):
Miriam, the prophetess and sister of Aaron, leads the women in a joyful dance after the song. This marks the first mention of a woman as a prophet in the Bible, challenging the notion of women as second-class citizens. The dance celebrates the Lord's triumph and victory over Pharaoh's army.

Bitter Waters Made Sweet (Exodus 15:22-25):
After the song and dance, Moses leads the Israelites into the Wilderness of Shur. After three days without water, they arrive at Marah, but the water there is bitter and undrinkable. The people complain, but Moses cries out to the Lord for help. The Lord shows Moses a tree that, when cast into the water, makes it sweet and drinkable.

Conclusion:
The episode highlights the power of praise and worship, the inclusion of women in leadership roles, and the provision of God in challenging situations. The song and dance serve as expressions of gratitude and faith in the Lord's deliverance. The transformation of bitter water into sweet water demonstrates God's ability to provide solutions to difficult circumstances.

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The Bible Project Daily Podcast - Exodus – The Clue is in the Name. (Exodus 14: 1-31)

Transcript

Exodus – The Clue is in the Name. (Matthew 14: 1-31/ 4448)

The Exodus has been described as one of the most dramatic events in all of the Bible. In fact, it's been said to be the greatest miracle in all of history. Most people know the story: the children of Israel departed from the land of Egypt, and they are pursued by the Egyptian army, they got to the Red Sea, and God parts the waters of the Red Sea, and the children of Israel crossed on dry ground. They are then