Torah Portion: Exodus 13:17-15:26; Numbers 28:19-25

Pesach VII (Passover)

Through the Passover the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt, but He then led them by an unexpected route. He did not take them the direct way to the Promised Land but into the desert to camp by the Red Sea. It was God’s purpose that Pharaoh should think Israel was in confusion so that he was drawn to pursue them. Thus, the Lord would gain glory for Himself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians would know that He alone was God.

The Power of the Lord

The Israelites had marched out boldly, armed for battle, yet when they saw the Egyptians coming after them, they were terrified and they cried out to the Lord. Moses told them not to be afraid but to stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord was going to bring. The Lord was going to fight for them, but they needed to find that place of stillness and trust in Him. God was going to be glorified.

The Lord gave the command to move, for He was going to part the waters for Israel. The Egyptians would follow but God would gain glory through them. When, as He foreknew, Pharaoh’s army pursued Israel into the sea, the Lord threw them into confusion and jammed the wheels of their chariots. Here the Egyptians recognised that the Lord was fighting for Israel against them and they tried to flee but to no avail. At the Lord’s order, Moses stretched out his hand, the waters flowed back and the entire Egyptian army was destroyed. But Israel crossed safely and, seeing the Lord’s great power, feared Him and put their trust in Him and Moses.

The Song of Moses

The song that Moses and God’s people sang exalted the Lord who had become their salvation – their Yeshua in Hebrew – through the greatness of His majesty:

Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you - majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? (Ex 15:11)

By the blood of the Passover lamb they were kept safe when the firstborn in Egypt were killed. This was the lamb that foreshadowed Yeshua, the perfect sacrifice, whose very name means 'salvation'.

The song of Moses looked beyond their situation to the impact on surrounding nations who would tremble in fear and melt away before Israel because the Lord had been glorified that day. Do we trust God to lead us in the way that will bring most glory to His name? It may look as if we are going the long way or by a tougher route than seems necessary, but He knows what is best for us. The world is experiencing a time of shaking and testing and that may be intense in our own lives, but will we seek to live in such a way that the Lord is glorified? That is the challenge for us today.

Author: Catharine Pakington