Overcoming impossible odds ∙∙
But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, the LORD will rescue you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see them again.” – Exodus 14:13
Exodus 14:1-14
1 Then the LORD gave these instructions to Moses:
2 “Order the Israelites to turn back and camp by Pi-hahiroth between Migdol and the sea. Camp there along the shore, across from Baal-zephon.
3 Then Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are confused. They are trapped in the wilderness!’
4 And once again I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after you. I planned to display my glory through the Pharaoh and his whole army. After this, the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD!” So, the Israelites camped there as they were told.
5 When word reached the king of Egypt that the Israelites had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. “What have we done, letting all those Israelite slaves get away?” they asked.
6 So Pharaoh harnessed his chariot and called up his troops.
7 He took with him 600 of Egypt’s best chariots, along with the rest of the chariots of Egypt, each with its commander.
9 The Egyptians chased after them . . . [and] caught up with the people of Israel as they were camped beside the shore near Pi-hahiroth, across from Baal-zephon.
10 As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the LORD,
13 But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again.”
14 “The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
Fox News is well-known for its catchphrase, “We Report. You Decide.” This motto suggests a commitment to presenting news that allows viewers to form their own opinions. Conversely, Snopes.com operates as a fact-checking entity, scrutinizing claims to ensure accuracy. Snopes.com thoroughly discredits the information provided below as fallacious. While considering Snopes.com as a reliable source, it is crucial to remember that, as believers in the Biblical texts of Moses, we hold the conviction that they are historically accurate and truthful documents. How do you suppose Snopes.com rates that assumption?
For years, divers have scoured the Gulf of Suez in hopes of uncovering evidence that supports the biblical story of the Exodus. Recently, however, the focus has shifted to the Gulf of Aqaba. On the shores of Nuweiba, Egypt, a place now frequented by tourists, a significant event unfolded in 1978 when Ron Wyatt embarked on an exploratory mission spurred by the theory that this site might be where the Israelites camped by the Red Sea.
Wyatt’s team conducted numerous dives spanning approximately 1.5 miles at depths between 60 and 200 feet. To their astonishment, Wyatt reported the discovery of chariot parts littering the seabed, wheels, chariot bodies, and even human and horse bones.
One remarkable claim made by Ron Wyatt since 1987 was the discovery of three four-spoke gilded chariot wheels. These gold-covered wheels, mainly immune to coral growth, retained their distinct shape despite the decay of the wooden components underneath. Such wheels bear a resemblance to those found in Tutankhamun’s tomb.
The scientific community’s involvement adds another layer to these claims. The Department of Osteology at Stockholm University analyzed a mineralized bone attributed to Wyatt’s findings, identifying it as a human femur belonging to a man approximately 5.5 feet tall.
This narrative underscores the dynamic tension between faith-based perspectives and those that are not. For children of the King who believe in the historical accuracy of biblical texts, these discoveries hold profound significance.
Nuweiba Beach, Egypt
Red Sea Crossing spot, the Gulf of Aqaba
Remnants of Gold Chariot Wheel
Human Femur
The tales of past “discoveries” related to the Red Sea often linger in uncertainty, lacking the assurance of definitive proof. Yet, the biblical account of the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, as recorded by Moses in Exodus 14, stands as a testament to the enduring truth of God’s power and intervention.
REFLECT & PRAY
Luke 1:37 For nothing is impossible with God.
Father, no matter how terrible or impossible our circumstances may be, we can always stand still and see the salvation of the Lord!
INSIGHT
The Pharaoh of Egypt initially resisted but eventually allowed the nation of Israel to go free. As they set out towards the promised land, the Father intervened by hardening the Pharaoh’s heart (Exodus 14:4-6,8). The Pharaoh gathered his most skilled, elite charioteers, around 600 in number, and pursued the Israelites intent on killing them (Exodus 14:4, 6, 8). With the Egyptians in hot pursuit, the Israelites faced certain death, as they were defenseless against the well-equipped Egyptian forces with their horses, chariots, spears, and swords. Their predicament seemed hopeless. The odds were stacked against them. It was only a matter of time.
Behind the scenes, God was intricately orchestrating the events that led the Israelites to the brink of the Red Sea. He had already disclosed part of His divine plan to Moses, guiding him and the children of Israel to this critical location fraught with danger (Exodus 14:1-2). As they camped by the sea, uncertainty loomed over them, yet they had learned to trust the Father’s presence guiding them, evidenced by the pillars of smoke and fire that had led their journey thus far.
At precisely the opportune moment, neither a second too early nor too late, the Egyptian forces arrived. Pharaoh, a.k.a. Yul Brenner, in his arrogance, mocked Moses, questioning his strategy by saying, “Moses’ God is a poor general.”
The circumstances were markedly against them. Mountains to the north and south hemmed them in, the impassable Red Sea before them, and the relentless Egyptian chariots approaching from behind. What did the people do? Faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, panic and terror seized the Israelites. They feared that death was imminent (Exodus 14:10). In their distress and desperation, they turned against Moses. They blamed Moses for his poor judgment and leadership. Some, overwhelmed by fear, even resorted to threats and curses.
Their despair is poignantly captured in Exodus 14:11-12, where they cried out to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the wilderness to die? Why have you done this to us, bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we tell you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians?’ It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”
Summary
This critical moment was rife with tension and emotion, a testament to the Israelites’ struggle between fear and faith as they unknowingly stood on the precipice of divine intervention. Moses’ response exemplifies amazing faith and trust in the Father. He becomes a timeless model of “perfect faith” for all of the children of the King, serving as an inspiration for all ages to come.
Then the Father speaks. His words are life for the children of Israel but death for the armies of Egypt.
Exodus 14:15-16
15 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward.”
16 “As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land.”
And thus, the Red Sea split wide open, and dry ground appeared in the midst of the walls of water.
Exodus 14:26-28
26 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may come back over the Egyptians, over their chariots and their horsemen.”
27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal state at daybreak, while the Egyptians were fleeing right into it; then the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.
28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen, even Pharaoh’s entire army that had gone into the sea after them; not even one of them remained.
This was the Father’s plan all along. He promised to fight for Israel and destroy the armies of Egypt, and so He did with might and majesty!
From this pivotal moment on, there can be no doubt that the Father demonstrated His glory. The Egyptians themselves bore witness to this divine power. Pharaoh, portrayed by the commanding figure of Yul Brenner, returned to Egypt defeated, humbled, and solitary. As he ascended to his royal throne, the realization dawned upon him, and he proclaimed, “Moses’ God is God.”
But there’s more.
In the original Hebrew text, there lies a hidden treasure. Exodus 14:13 states, “Don’t be afraid, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD.” The Hebrew word for salvation here is ‘Yeshua,’ which is translated into English as Jesus.
You connect the dots.
¯_(ツ)_/¯2-03-2
© Dr. H 2024
Dr H Reflections 