Torah Portion: Exodus 13:17-17:16

B’shalach (‘When he let go…’)

Most of us probably feel ill-at-ease in the darkness of night-time. It brings with it a sense of vulnerability, aloneness, powerlessness, fear and an awareness of being out of control. Best to be snuggled under a duvet in a warm bed, giving a feeling of security!

However, in contrast to our own feelings and perceptions, the Bible presents us with a stark fact: God is not restricted by darkness. Indeed, some of His most amazing work has actually been undertaken in that environment.

God at work in the night

Genesis clearly sets the scene: “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” (Gen 1:2).

The darkness of night was also integral to God’s working to liberate His people from Egyptian slavery. It was at midnight that He struck down the firstborn of the Egyptians. In this week’s Torah portion, we come to the parting of the Red Sea. It’s in that context that the element of darkness and night-time are, again, specifically recorded:

Then the angel of God, who had been travelling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other…Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. (Exodus 14:19-21; emphasis added)

Subsequent to this miraculous escape, it was at night that, thereafter, God made regular provision of manna during the desert wanderings: “Each morning everyone gathered as much as they needed…” (Ex 16:21).

God unrestricted by darkness

We know that night-time is needed to restore our energy levels depleted by the demands of the day. We are also aware that we cannot work to our full potential without light and that, as mentioned above, darkness brings with it an added element of risk and danger.

But this account in Exodus is an emphatic reminder that God’s power and compassion are not limited to daytime. God speaks about being unrestricted by darkness:

• “He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Ps 121:3-4).
• “If I say ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,’ even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you” (Ps 139:11-12).
• “The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary…” (Isa 40:28)

The Psalmist was aware of the presence of God breaking through the darkness of his mind and spirit (Ps 27:1). This week may hold the dread of ‘darkness’ for some of us. But God who “drove the sea back” in the night sees us and intervenes even in that threatening environment. What constitutes that ‘sea’ for you?

Author: Stephen Bishop