Working Preacher of the Narrative LectionaryCommentary for Sunday, 28 September 2014 with Scripture Exodus 14:10-14, 21-29

Working Preacher of the Narrative LectionaryCommentary for Sunday, 28 September 2014 with Scripture Exodus 14:10-14, 21-29
Narrative Lectionary Scripture:
Exodus 14:10-14, 21-29
Scripture Text:
Exodus 14:10-12 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw them—Egyptians! Coming at them!
They were totally afraid. They cried out in terror to God. They told Moses, “Weren’t the cemeteries large enough in Egypt so that you had to take us out here in the wilderness to die? What have you done to us, taking us out of Egypt? Back in Egypt didn’t we tell you this would happen? Didn’t we tell you, ‘Leave us alone here in Egypt—we’re better off as slaves in Egypt than as corpses in the wilderness.’”
13 Moses spoke to the people: “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and watch God do his work of salvation for you today. Take a good look at the Egyptians today for you’re never going to see them again.
14 God will fight the battle for you.
    And you? You keep your mouths shut!”
21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea and God, with a terrific east wind all night long, made the sea go back. He made the sea dry ground. The seawaters split.
22-25 The Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground with the waters a wall to the right and to the left. The Egyptians came after them in full pursuit, every horse and chariot and driver of Pharaoh racing into the middle of the sea. It was now the morning watch. God looked down from the Pillar of Fire and Cloud on the Egyptian army and threw them into a panic. He clogged the wheels of their chariots; they were stuck in the mud.
The Egyptians said, “Run from Israel! God is fighting on their side and against Egypt!”
26 God said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea and the waters will come back over the Egyptians, over their chariots, over their horsemen.”
27-28 Moses stretched his hand out over the sea: As the day broke and the Egyptians were running, the sea returned to its place as before. God dumped the Egyptians in the middle of the sea. The waters returned, drowning the chariots and riders of Pharaoh’s army that had chased after Israel into the sea. Not one of them survived.
29-31 But the Israelites walked right through the middle of the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall to the right and to the left. God delivered Israel that day from the oppression of the Egyptians. And Israel looked at the Egyptian dead, washed up on the shore of the sea, and realized the tremendous power that God brought against the Egyptians. The people were in reverent awe before God and trusted in God and his servant Moses.
Last week’s scenes from the Joseph story showed God at work quietly, delivering God’s people in subversive ways.
God enabled Joseph to interpret dreams, rise quickly through Pharaoh’s palace ranks, and use human systems in all their brokenness to bring about safety, prosperity, reunification, and reconciliation for Jacob’s family.
This week’s reading from Exodus 14 shows God delivering God’s people, too, but there is nothing quiet about it. Horses’ hooves pound the dirt, the Israelites cry out in fear, the Egyptians scream in panic, the wind howls, and the waters churn in their great vertical walls. Add to that the pyrotechnics of the pillar of fire and cloud, and Exodus 14 describes a big, chaotic mess.
Given this chaos, Moses’ instructions to the terrified Israelites are all the more remarkable: stand, see, keep still: “Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the LORD will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to keep still” (Exodus 14:13-14). As they were being chased down by the most technologically equipped fighting force anywhere around, the Israelites were surely inclined toward fight or flight: resist or run, sure, but keep still? What good will that do?
Their mandate from God here is neither to neither fight nor flee, but to witness: to observe God’s power and might. God will do all the fighting for them. This detail underscores the fact that all the agency in this story belongs to God. This is the LORD’s victory alone. Through this victory, the people of Israel as well as the Egyptians (verse 18) see that the LORD’s glories far surpass any of Pharaoh’s claims either to military prowess or to the status of deity. The contest between God and Pharaoh has been building throughout Exodus 1-13 to this showdown at the sea, and God has won.
You may wish to add verses 30-31 to the selected readings for this week, because they bring full circle the observations made in verses 10-14 about “seeing” and “fearing.” In v. 10, the Israelites saw the Egyptians advancing; in verse 30, “Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore,” and in verse 31, “Israel saw the great work that the LORD did against the Egyptians.” In verse 10, the Israelites feared greatly for their lives in the face of the advancing Egyptians; in verse 30, they feared the LORD. When they stood, saw, and kept still, they believed.
If the Joseph story showed us everyday miracles, the exodus story shows us a once-in-a-lifetime (or once-in-a-millennium, or even once-in-a-Testament!) miracle. In many ways it is the miracle; Exodus 14 just might be the most important chapter in the entire Old Testament. The story of God’s deliverance of the Israelites from Pharaoh’s army at the Red (or Reed) Sea is the bedrock of the covenant relationship between God and Israel.
Throughout the Hebrew Bible, the two parties continually remind each other of this particular saving act. Here are just a few examples:
In the opening lines of the Ten Commandments, God declares, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; you shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:2-3). The people of Israel have been freed in order to worship and serve God by keeping God’s commandments.
At the conclusion of the description of the Jubilee laws, Leviticus 25:55 reiterates that the people now serve God instead of Pharaoh: “For to me the people of Israel are servants; they are my servants whom I brought out from the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God” (Leviticus 25:55).
References to the exodus proliferate in Deuteronomy and the Deuteronomistic History (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings). One especially compelling metaphor refers to Egypt as an “iron-smelter” from which Israel has been delivered (Deut 4:20). The re-statement of the Decalogue in Deuteronomy 5 will also cite the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery as rationale for keeping the Sabbath (Deuteronomy 5:15).
The prophets use the exodus as an analogy for later periods of suffering in Israel (e.g., Amos 4:10 and Isa 52:4) and as evidence for the kind of deliverance of which God is capable (e.g., Jeremiah 23:7-8 and Micah 7:15).
The exodus has pride of place in any recitation of the story of God’s relationship with Israel. Such recitations can be comprehensive, such as Ezra’s prayer in Nehemiah 9, or succinct, as in Micah 6:4-5.
The exodus is a favorite topic for the psalms, and thus its remembrance forms a centerpiece of ancient Israel’s liturgical life. Some, like Psalm 106, list the exodus as the first in a litany of God’s “mighty acts,” while others, like Psalm 114, retell the story of the exodus in poetic ways.
The story of the exodus testifies to Christians today about the power God has to defeat oppressors and deliver the oppressed, and about the special love God has for Israel. When we read about God’s redemption of humanity in the New Testament, we should remember that God shas been delivering God’s people all along: from the waters of the flood, from famine, from slavery in Egypt, from exile in Babylon. As readers of this sacred story, we are called to join the Israelites in their witness to God’s victory: stand, see, keep still, and believe.
PRAYER OF THE DAY:
God of salvation, you rescued the Israelites at the edge of the Red Sea. Rescue us from the things of this world that threaten our lives and livelihoods, so that we might forever place our trust in you. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
HYMNS:
"Praise, praise! You are my rock" by Herbert Brokering 
"Life of Praise" by Casting Crowns
I will love You, Lord always
Not just for the things You've done for me 
And I will praise You all my days
Not just for the change You've made in me
I'll praise you for You are holy, Lord
And I'll lift my hands, but You are worthy of so much more
For You are awesome, God of the Nations, 
Lion of Judah, Rock of the Ages, Alpha, Omega
You're worthy of all praise
More that these hands I'll raise 
I'll live a life of praise
I will serve You Lord, always for You are my strength
When I am weak 
I will never be afraid for You are my rock and You protect me
But I'll praise You for You are holy, Lord
And I'll lift my hands, but You are worthy of so much more  
"Calm to the waves" by Mary Louise Bringle
Calm to the waves.
Calm to the wind.
Jesus whispers, "Peace, be still." 

Balm to our hearts.
Fears at an end.
In stillness, hear his voice.
"Eternal Father,strong to save" by William Whiting (1860)
1. Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm does bind the restless wave,
Who bids the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
O hear us when we cry to Thee 
For those in peril on the sea.
2. O Savior, whose almighty word
The winds and waves submissive heard,
Who walked upon the foaming deep,
And calm amid the rage did sleep;
O hear us when we cry to Thee 
For those in peril on the sea.
3. O Holy Spirit, who did brood
Upon the waters dark and rude,
And bid their angry tumult cease,
And give for wild confusion peace;
O hear us when we cry to Thee 
For those in peril on the sea.
4. O Trinity of love and pow'r,
Your children shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire, and foe,
Protect them where-so-e'er they go;
Thus, evermore shall rise to Thee

Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.
CHORAL:

"Make my life a living prayer" by Aaron David Miller(Keith Green)
1. Make my life a prayer to you
I wanna do what you want me to
No empty words and no white lies
No token prayers no compromise
2. I wanna shine the light you gave
Through your son you sent to save us
From ourselves and our despair
It comforts me to know you're really there
[Chorus]
Well I wanna thank you know
For being patient with me
Oh it's so hard to see
When my eyes are on me
I guess I'll have to trust
And just believe what you say
Oh you're coming again
Coming to take me away
3. I wanna die and let you give
Your life to me so I might live
And share the hope you gave me
The love that set me free
4. I wanna tell the world out there
You're not some fable or fairy tale
That I've made up inside my head
You're God the son and you've risen from the dead
[Chorus]
Well I wanna thank you know
For being patient with me
Oh it's so hard to see
When my eyes are on me
I guess I'll have to trus
And just believe what you say
Oh you're coming again
Coming to take me away
5. I wanna die and let you give
Your life to me so I might live
And share the hope you gave me

The love that set me free
Commentary on Exodus 14:10-14, 21-29 by Cameron B.R. Howard
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary:
Exodus 14:10-14, 21-29
Verse 10
[10] And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.
They were sore afraid — They knew the strength of the enemy, and their own weakness; numerous indeed they were, but all foot, unarmed, undisciplined, dispirited, by long servitude, and now pent up, so that they could not escape. On one hand was Pi-hahiroth, a range of craggy rocks unpassable; on the other hand were Migdol and Baal-zephon, forts upon the frontiers of Egypt; before them was the sea, behind them were the Egyptians; so that there was no way open for them but upwards, and thence their deliverance came.
Verse 13
[13] And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
Moses answered not these fools according to their folly: Instead of chiding he comforts them, and with an admirable pretence of mind, not disheartened either by the threatenings of Egypt, or the tremblings of Israel, stills their murmuring, Fear ye not, It is our duty, when we cannot get out of our troubles, yet to get above our fears, so that they may only serve to quicken our prayers and endeavours, but may not prevail to silence our faith and hope. Stand still, and think not to save yourselves either by fighting or flying; wait God's orders, and observe them; Compose yourselves, by an entire confidence in God, into a peaceful prospect of the great salvation God is now about to work for you. Hold your peace, you need not so much as give a shout against the enemy: the work shall be done without any concurrence of yours. In times of great difficulty, it is our wisdom to keep our spirits calm, quiet, and sedate, for then we are in the best frame both to do our own work, and to consider the work of God.
Verse 21
[21] And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
We have here the history of that work of wonder which is so often mentioned both in the Old and New Testament. An instance of God's almighty power in dividing the sea, and opening a passage through the waters. It was a bay, or gulf, or arm of the sea, two or three leagues over. The God of nature has not tied himself to its laws, but when he pleases dispenseth with them, and then the fire doth not burn, nor the water flow. They went through the sea to the opposite shore; they walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the pillar of cloud being their rereward, the waters were a wall to them on their right hand, and on their left. Moses and Aaron it is likely ventured first, into this untrodden path, and then all Israel after them; and this march through the paths of the great waters would make their march afterwards through the wilderness less formidable. This march through the sea was in the night, and not a moon-shine night, for it was seven days after the full moon, so that they had no light but what they had from the pillar of fire. This made it the more awful, but where God leads us, he will light us; while we follow his conduct we shall not want his comforts.
Verse 23
[23] And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
And the Egyptians went in after them into the midst of the sea — They thought, why might they not venture where Israel did? They were more advantageously provided with chariots and horses, while the Israelites were on foot.
Verse 24
[24] And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,
The Lord — Called the angel before, looked - With indignation, upon the Egyptians, and troubled the Egyptians - With terrible winds and lightnings and thunders, Exodus 15:10; Psalms 77:18,19. Also with terror of mind.
Verse 25
[25] And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.
They had driven furiously, but now they drove heavily, and found themselves embarrassed at every step; the way grew deep, their hearts grew sad, their wheels dropt off, and the axle-trees failed. They had been flying upon the back of Israel as the hawk upon the dove; but now they cried, Let us flee from the face of Israel.
Verse 26
[26] And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.
And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thy hand over the sea — And give a signal to the waters to close again, as before upon the word of command they had opened to the right and the left. He did so, and immediately the waters returned to their place, and overwhelmed all the host of the Egyptians. Pharaoh and his servants, that had hardened one another in sin, now fell together, and not one escaped. An ancient tradition saith, That Pharaoh's magicians Jannes and Jambres perished with the rest. Now God got him honour upon Pharaoh, a rebel to God, and a slave to his own barbarous passions; perfectly lost to humanity, virtue, and all true honour; here be lies buried in the deep, a perpetual monument of divine justice: here he went down to the pit, though he was the terror of the mighty in the land of the living.
Verse 28
[28] And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.
After them — That is, after the Israelites.
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Sermon Story "Salvation" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 28 September 2014
After 400 years of slavery, God has bought Moses to lead the People of Israel out of Egypt and their slavery. Moses has led the Israelites to the shore of the Red or Read Sea where they were encamped waiting for the next step God was leading His people. As they were camped by the sea, they so the Egyptian army behind them with the sea before them and rock cliffs on one side and another people on the other side. The Israelites became fearful of what would happen to them saying that they were better in Eygpt as slaves. God spoke to Moses saying that the people should not be afraid because they will see their salvation through God's glory in their deliverance from the Egyptians. God told Moses to raise his staff and hold it over the sea and God parted the waters where there was dry land that the Israelites could cross to the other side. As the Israelites got safely to the other side they looked back and saw the Egyptians following them, but their wheels were falling off and they were becoming stuck. The Israelites heard the Egyptians say that they needed to retreat because God was fighting against them and for the Israelites. God tod Moses to raise his staff over the sea and when he did the sea came together drowning all the Egyptians who were chasing after them. The israelites saw all the dead bodies of the Egytians in the sea and on the seshore and they realized God's salvation existed. What characters in this story do you relate to or not relate to? How do you see the salvation God has given the Israelites despite their nature to sin applying to us today? How do you see God's salvation in your life today being lived out for His glory and your praise?
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