Exodus 14: Exodus Comes Before Sinai, Grace Before Faith (Bobby Valentine)
Exodus “Event” Texts to Know
– Deuteronomy 5.12-15, Shabbat rehearses the Hesed story
– Psalm 66
– Psalm 68
– Psalm 114, part of the Egyptian Hallel
– Psalm 136.10-26,
– Isaiah 63.7-14
– 1 Corinthians 10.1-5
Exodus Comes before Sinai,
Calvary Comes before Pentecost,
Grace Comes before Faith,
It always has, it always will.
Deliverance, Rescue, Salvation by Hesed
“According to the abundance of his Hesed … It was no messenger or angel but his presence that saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old … his holy spirit … who led them through the depths … the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest” (Isaiah 63.7c, 9, 12, 14, NRSV)
I. Get Out/Motley Crew (12.31, 38)
The Son of Amun-Ra tells Israelites to leave and Go worship.
Who could be the “motley crew” in v.34. Egyptians, other slaves
the text recognizes the aliens among them (v.49).
Note on “first born” – does not mean “infants” especially in reference to the
Egyptians. Pharoah’s “first born” is an adult. It is only Isael’s infants that
have been systematically murdered as a threat … they are after all “aliens.”
II. “God led the people” (13.17-22)
The Story picks back up after the “interruption” of the directions on worship.
As Isaiah noted centuries later, Yahweh is personally “taking charge,” planning and leading “the people” (63.7-14).
III. Pharoah Changes his Mind in the Night (14.4-5)/Yahweh’s Glory
“the heart (לְבַ֨ב) of Pharaoh and his servants” (v.5); the Lord hardened
Pharaoh’s heart (לֵ֤ב)
Bring “glory” or “honor” (vv. 4,17,18) … what does this mean? It is Yahweh’s means to demonstrate 1) his majestic superiority in sovereignty but 2) also his justice in the face of gross injustice against the least of these. The Psalms state explicitly that Yahweh’s very throne is established on justice, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; mercy and truth go before You” (Psalm 89.14)
“I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on the earth; for in these things I delight” (Jer 9.24)
IV. Salvation in the Face of Fear (14.10-14)
The Sermonator declared that the Israelites went through the Sea “by faith”
(Hebrews 11.29). But read, vv.11-12. Lack of faith. We have terror.
Grounded in generations of reality.
Moses gives five three commands based on one Gospel truth. Moses proclaims Grace in the face of a lack of faith, lack of trust, full orbed fear.
1) Do not fear
2) Stand firm
3) See Salvation (v.13, 31)
Because … Yahweh will fight. Yahweh is the Savior.
4) Keep still … quiet … “let go”
V. God Gets Between (14.19-25)
The “angel of God” … “Yahweh in the pillar of fire” (vv.19, 24). Yahweh created an impassable barrier between Pharoah’s massive military and the fleeing slaves. The mystery of darkness and light (v.20).
Israel stepped into the divided sea (vv. 16, 21). Imagery that comes from the creation account in Genesis 1 where the Creator God divided the sea to form dry land (Gen 1.9-10).
VI. Pharoah, Egypt, Hubris brought into Judgment (14.26-31)
The arrogance of the oppressor is on full display in Exodus 14. The Egyptians refused to let the object of their hate as well as the source of their posh life go.
Trapped by their own arrogance they finally confess (an ironic “praise”!) they cry out “Yahweh is fighting for them against Egypt” (14.25). Now Egypt knows who Yahweh is.
Yahweh destroys the demonic forces in Egypt that is personified in Pharoah and his military might. “The LORD tossed the Egyptians into the sea” (v.27).
But Israel walked through on “dry ground” (v.29).
Climactic Declaration, “Yahweh saved Israel that day!” (14.30).