By Kyle Beshears
Instructor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
Victory
Exodus 14:13–28
The Setting (13–18)
At face value, the redemption of Israel from Egypt seems like a face-off between the Lord God and a so-called “lord god.” In one corner is Yahweh, the Almighty Creator. In the other corner stands pharaoh, a created pretender to the power and authority of his enemy. The prize? The worship of Israel.
In reality, however, this prized match is not a competition between two even rivals; rather, it is God’s judgment against a so-called god. Even more, it is a hope-filled picture of God’s desire and power to rescue and redeem. Yet, apparently, Israel did not see it this way at first. In a moment of intense fear, Israel latched on to the wrong idea that God and pharaoh were equals in contention. So God reminds Israel that He is in control. It is God who freed them and it is He who will see their redemption through to completion.
Act 1: The Separation (19–20)
God promised Israel that He would lead her out of Egypt and away from danger (Ex. 6:2–8). Yet, after following Him, they were caught between an impassable barrier (the sea) and a destructive force (the army). What could they do? Nothing, and that’s the point. God is the one who saves Israel because they could not save themselves. Even though God led Israel into the impossible, He promised their delivery and stayed true to His word. This is a wonderful reminder that God stands before us as our unwavering guide and behind us as our unfailing guard. Why do we fret when, having followed God, it looks like the end of the road? Take comfort knowing that part of following God’s will means that He has got your back.
Act 2: The Crossing (21–22)
Israel stands with destruction behind her — pharaoh’s army is closing in. Israel stands with destruction before her — the waters of the sea would consume them. Then, through Moses, God makes a way for His people to pass through the waters while the waves come crashing down on pharaoh in a sure picture of God’s judgment against them. Earlier in the Bible we also see water in relation to judgment and redemption through the story of Noah and his family. God made a way for them to pass through the floodwaters in the ark.
In both stories, water represents God’s judgment. In both stories, God does not place His people outside his judgment; rather, He makes a way for His people to pass through His judgment (2 Cor. 5:10, 18–19). Jesus is the way. He took upon Himself the judgment we deserved. He is the greater ark into which we find shelter. He is the greater Moses who leads us safely through destruction. God rescues us from the inundating waters of His judgment, sparing us from its destructive power by pulling us up from its depths and making us new in the image of His Son (Rom. 6:4; 8:29; 2 Cor. 5:17; Col. 2:12).
Act 3: The Victory (23–28)
The so-called god-king of Egypt is now swallowed up in the judgment of the Lord God, King of kings. It was never an even match; it was never even a match to begin with. God’s victory over the enemy, sin and death is a sure promise without possibility of failure or delay. By God’s grace, through faith in Christ, we may experience this beautiful redemption foreshadowed in the Exodus.
God redeems us from the bondage of slavery to sin (Rom. 6:15–23). Through the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, we are able to escape the grip of sin and death, pass through judgment safely to the other side, only to turn and see God’s promises fulfilled in the defeat of our enemy.
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