Parker Road Bible Church

Sometimes, after Thanksgiving, you begin to complain that you have been eating turkey leftovers all week. That which you were so thankful for has become a source of discontentment and you begin to grumble. The Israelites were spared from the Death Angel, freed from Egyptian slavery, and safely transported to the other side of the sea, while God wiped out the Egyptian special forces. Israel sang for joy and with thanksgiving, but soon their gratitude would turn to grumbling. They grumbled about water. They grumbled about food. Then, they grumbled about water again. Meanwhile, God would provide ample opportunities to show them that He was all they needed. But what happens when we do not trust God and think that He isn’t enough?

It has been written that the Passover was the foreshadowing of the cross. The lamb would be slaughtered as the substitute for the Israelites’ first-born sons. Israel would be freed from death AND bondage that night. The crossing of the Red Sea has been compared to the Resurrection. As the Sea was parted for the Israelites to cross through, Jesus would rise and defeat death opening the gates of heaven for His followers to enter. Also, that day their enemies would be defeated. If that is the case, it’s only fitting that the Israelites would sing a song of praise and thanksgiving to God as they rejoiced on the other side of the Sea.

God executed justice on Egypt with the 10th Plague, and mercy to Israel in the Passover. All who put their faith in God and prepared the Passover dinner applying the Passover lamb’s blood on their doorway, escaped the Angel of Death. God’s power was demonstrated, and Pharaoh told the Israelites to get out of Egypt. After God guided the Israelites out of Egypt, Pharaoh would change his mind. God would part the Sea as Moses raised his staff and save Israel. At the same time, God would judge Egypt. What can we learn about our journey with God through the exodus of Israel from Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea?

God has used Moses to bring Pharaoh to his knees. He hammered Pharaoh and the Egyptians with nine plagues, exposing their powerless gods, and demonstrating His power. However, Pharaoh still refused to let the Israelites go. God would continue to bring about His plan. The most devastating plague was still to come. A past Pharaoh struck down the baby boys of Israel. The current Pharaoh would not let God’s “first born” Israel go. But now God will execute justice and mercy, and in the process demonstrate His power. What do we learn about God through the 10th plague and Passover?

Moses seemed whipped, discouraged, and doubtful. He received what must have felt like a left jab and a right uppercut to his face that left him on the mat staring at the ceiling. His words to Pharaoh led to greater persecution, and the persecution led to his own people turning on him. What is he to do? He does the best thing possible; he goes to God. What do we do when we face opposition and criticism? What do we need to remember about God? How should we behave in those situations? What should our focus be?