GO FORWARD
TEXT: Exodus 14:13-16
Charles Spurgeon said: Going forward supposes difficulty. You will find sometimes the path to be steep and uneven, rugged and rough. None but the brave go forward. The way, though right, is not always smooth and pleasant, charmed with music and song and perfumed with the fragrance of flowers, but much of a contrary kind.
Continually moving backwards takes skill to accomplish. Imagine driving backwards or walking everywhere backwards, there are perils that go along with it. Safety measures.
I. THE DANGERS THEY FACED
Exodus 14:10 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.
1. The danger of walking by sight and not by faith vs. 10
2. The danger of living in the past vs. 11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness?
How absurd the reasoning of unbelief If death at the hand of the Egyptians was to be their end, why had God delivered them from the land of bondage.
3. The danger of expecting an easy way.
II. THE DILEMMA THEY WERE IN
They did not know which way to turn They were so afraid vs. 10
1. The attitude of Pharaoh Exodus 14:3 For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.
2. The action that was taken by the Israelites Closely resembles that of the disciples on the storm tossed sea.
3. The appeal of Moses Exodus 14:13 Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD
III. THE DELIVERER THAT CAME TO THEIR RESCUE
Man's extremity is God's opportunity It became them, and it becomes us, to obey whenever God commands.
1. He has a right to command He is the Sovereign, we are the subjects He is the Master, we are the servants.
2. His commands are reasonable We may not be able to understand His reasons but He has definite purpose in every request.
IV. THE DETERMINATION OF THE PEOPLE
Exodus 14:21 22 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. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
They obeyed The children of Israel found four things in the sea path
1. A rebuke for murmuring.
2. A reverential fear for God.
3. A respectful trust in God.
4. A right opinion of God's man.
V. THE DESTRUCTION OF THEIR ENEMIES
Consider the destruction as:
1. A judgment Sudden in its execution
Terrible in its nature
Merited by its subjects.
2. A lesson to those who would attempt to prevent the forward march of God's people.
VI. THE DELIGHT OF A DELIVERED PEOPLE
1. Notice the time of this delightful experience of God's people On the other side of the Red Sea.
2. Notice the theme of their praise An exalted God.
