The Red Sea event is one of the great events of the Old Testament. It has obvious gospel symbolism. Moses is a great Savior sent by God to lead his people out of bondage into life with God. God not only rescues and redeems his people, he destroys their enemies. Christ likewise was sent by God to redeem and save those in bondage to the guilt and power of sin. The enemies Christ destroys for his people are the devil, sin, death, and the curse of this world.
In our passage, Israel, after leaving Egypt, is backed up to the Red Sea. They are terrified of the approaching Egyptian army. God instructs Moses to tell them to go forward (toward the Red Sea). The Lord then tells what is going to happen to the Red Sea (he will divide it) and what will happen to the Egyptian army (he will destroy it).
The Lord moves the pillar of cloud that was leading Israel to the rear of Israel’s camp, thus keeping the Egyptians separate from Israel. We read in verse 20 that the pillar of cloud was darkness to Egypt but gave light to Israel.
In this passage the Lord revea
ls that he is the Sovereign God and that he makes a separation between his people he calls out of this world, and those who remain connected to it. There is death and life, darkness and light being contrasted in this passage. The waters of the Red Sea represent God’s judgment toward Egypt. They represent salvation from judgment for Israel.
This distinct separation is also plain in the gospel; a great gulf is fixed between those who come to Christ and those who do not. In 2nd Corinthians 2 Paul speaks of spreading the knowledge of Christ as compared to an aroma. To some the message is an aroma of life. To those who reject Him, it is the aroma of death. Paul also speaks of Christians as those who have come out of darkness to light, out of death to life.
The first implication of this truth is to make sure above all else, that we belong to Christ, sincerely and truly. The one who belongs to Christ is truly blessed; those who do not can have many comforts in this life and still be cursed. Egypt was prosperous and strong yet was under a curse. What happened in the Red Sea was inevitable. There is no life outside of fellowship with God.
The believer on the other hand may have many crosses, yet still he is blessed. If the ungodly has success and his way is smooth, there is still a curse upon him. But a godly man in the midst of all his trials is blessed. He may be under the cross but not under the curse. This shows the privilege of the believer. Blessedness has begun in him. He has the spark of life that cannot be snuffed out.
If you know Christ and the Lord calls you to suffering, do not be dismayed. He will provide you a deeper knowledge of Christ in the suffering. Whatever direction the wind blows, it will blow you closer to the Lord. It may not seem or feel like it in anguish and pain, yet this is inevitable. The Lord’s purpose in salvation is that his people may find their joy and contentment in him.
It is written about Moses that he chose to be mistreated with the people of God rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. Moses ambition became to see the glory of the Lord. He walked through many toils and troubles, but he walked with the Lord. His disposition to the Lord was whatsoever you deny me, or howsoever you deal with me, give me yourself, and it shall be enough.
When we think about Egypt plunging into the Red Sea in opposition to God, we should see ourselves outside of grace. We should remember the incomparable riches of salvation in Christ. The strong medicine for the fainting Christian in difficulty is that he is blessed in life and death. As we look back on our trials and suffering, we shall see that suffering was not worthy to compare to one day in heaven with the Lord.
This passage is a clear reminder of the separation God makes among people. It directs us to seek first the kingdom of the Lord, escaping the condemnation of this world through the Lord Jesus Christ.
