By Faith, Moses and the Israelites
27 By faith he left Egypt behind, not being afraid of the king’s anger, for Moses persevered as one who sees him who is invisible. 28 By faith he instituted the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch the Israelites. 29 By faith they crossed the Red Sea as though they were on dry land. When the Egyptians attempted to do this, they were drowned. (Hebrews 11:27-29)
Yesterday, Moses was motivated by his faith in God and His promise of better things to come. With that faith, Moses “left Egypt behind, not being afraid of the king’s anger.” Just like his parents, Moses followed God’s leading, having faith over fear of Pharoah’s actions. Moses sought out living according to a God he could not physically see.
Not only that, but in Exodus 12:21-28, we learn that God spoke to Moses of the final plague, the angel of death that would sweep through Egypt killing every firstborn. Moses was told by God on how to protect the people from this devastating plague: “By faith he instituted the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch the Israelites.” Through this plague and faith in God’s protection, Moses and the Israelites were released from Pharaoh’s service and sent away from Egypt.
However, Pharaoh would turn back on his release statement and chased after the Israelites. Yet, Moses spoke to the people in Exodus 14:13, “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation that He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again.” Then, in Exodus 14:21, the Lord “swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land, so the waters were divided.” Trusting that God would hold the waters up as they crossed, the Israelites “crossed the Red Sea as though they were on dry land. When the Egyptians attempted to do this, they were drowned.” After this amazing miracle, the people worshipped the Lord in Exodus 14:31, “When Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and believed in Him and in His servant Moses.”
Both Moses and the Israelites displayed faith despite the dangerous circumstances that they were in. They could have cowered in fear as Pharaoh and his army pursued them to the sea with no escape, yet, they had faith that God would provide their salvation. They stepped out in faith, and God provided in miraculous fashion.
Blessings,
Isaac De Guzman
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