Moses Parts the Red Sea

Clay Smith JFBC 

Moses and the Red Sea Exodus 14:1-9 

Summer sermon series: Classic stories of the Bible 

The word Sophomore means “wise fool” - the people in Exodus are acting like wise fools. 

In the book of Genesis we learn of God’s covenant with Abraham. Then 400 years passed. God tells Pharaoh to let God’s people go. So the Egyptians and Israel will know who God’s people are. God leads them out to the Red Sea, where they are trapped. 

This story reminds us of God’s faithfulness. Pharaoh’s heart was hardened. 600 chariots went out. The situation seemed hopeless. There was nowhere to look - except to look to God. 

The people were not devoted followers of God. Ten plagues. Darkness, frogs, etc. Finally pharaoh let them go. 

God is the central character, and God gets the glory, and the people know who God is. The people could point to the miraculous things happening, that’s how they knew that God was present. 

Hab 2:14 God hardened the heart of Pharaoh. Why did Pharaoh chase the people? We depend on God more when we are trapped. 

v 10-19 it would be better to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert. They’d be more comfortable. Worse to live in the fear of their panic. They blamed Moses. Leadership may include disappointing people. Finally they cried out to the Lord. He answered, though in an unconventional way. 

v 13-14. 

1. Stop fearing. 

2. Stand firm. 

3. See God’s salvation. 

We have a God who fights for you. 

1. God will not let sin into His presence. 

2. Man is sinful. 

3. Christ is the answer. 

4. Faith is how we receive Christ. 

When Jesus died on the cross our sins are forgiven, and Christ’s righteousness. 

Look at these stories on two levels… 

1. The upper story of who God is. 

2. Obeying God despite the view from our level. Going forward even though it looks difficult. Continuing to move forward, like salmon. 

v 19 Moses parted the Red Sea. Aren’t you glad to serve a God who removes us from our enemies, who gets between our enemies and us. God told Moses to stretch out his hand so the waters would come back over the Egyptians. Don’t belittle God’s power. 

v 29 God’s people walked on dry land. It was a miracle. All night the wind blew. This was nothing compared to God creating the heavens and the earth. The point of the miracle is to glorify God. 

v 30-31 conclusion - like this passage, many times we can feel trapped. Continue to trust and follow God. 

1 Peter 2 God saved us so we could be God’s people. God had grace even though we didn’t deserve it. 

Psalm 103 God doesn’t deal with us based on our sins, God forgives and is gracious. 

Lord what do you want me to do, based on this message? Only God is worthy of worship. Stop fearing and stand firm.