Go Forward

Exodus 14:1-31

INTRODUCTION: Israel had experienced many ups and downs; likely more downs than ups, but God had delivered them nonetheless. On their way out of Egypt, they came to a crossroads—a place of danger on either side. If they turned back, they would once again become slaves in Egypt, but going forward seemed to be just as pointless.

I. LOOKING BACK (Exodus 14:1-9)

A. God’s Warning (Exodus 14:1-4)

1. The command to turn (Exodus 14:2)
a. Turn from Egypt
b. Turn toward the sea
2. The cause to turn (Exodus 14:3-4)
a. Pharaoh’s perspective (Exodus 14:3)
1.) Israel is entangled in the land.
2.) The wilderness shut them in.
b. God’s intervention (Exodus 14:4)

B. Egypt’s Pursuit (Exodus 14:5-9)

1. The concern of Egypt (Exodus 14:5)
a. They heard Israel fled.
b. They questioned why they allowed Israel to leave.
2. The conclusion of Egypt (Exodus 14:6-7)
a. Pharaoh made ready his chariot (Exodus 14:6).
b. He took with him, people, chariots, and captains (Exodus 14:6-7).
3. The stirrer of Egypt (Exodus 14:8)
a. The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh.
b. Pharaoh pursued Israel.
4. The success of Egypt (Exodus 14:9)
a. Egypt overtook them.
b. They were camping by the sea.

II. STANDING STILL (Exodus 14:10-14)

A. Israel’s Fear (Exodus 14:10-12)

1. The cause of their fear (Exodus 14:10)
a. Pharaoh drew nigh.
b. Israel saw them and were sore afraid.
2. The folly of their fear (Exodus 14:11-12)
a. The idea that they came to the wilderness for graves (Exodus 14:11)
b. The idea that slavery was better than freedom (Exodus 14:12)

B. Moses’ Faith (Exodus 14:13-14)

1. The challenge to Israel (Exodus 14:13)
a. Fear ye not
b. Stand still
2. The promise to Israel (Exodus 14:13-14)
a. See the salvation of the LORD (Exodus 14:13).
b. The LORD shall fight for you (Exodus 14:14).

III. GOING FORWARD (Exodus 14:15-31)

A. Israel’s Admonition (Exodus 14:15-20)

1. The admonition to Israel (Exodus 14:15)
a. God asked why Moses cried unto Him.
b. God told Moses to tell the people “go forward:”
2. The admonition to Moses (Exodus 14:16)
a. Lift up thy rod.
b. Stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it.
c. Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.
3. The promise from God (Exodus 14:17-18)
a. I will harden the heart of Pharaoh (Exodus 14:17).
b. I will get me honour upon Pharaoh (Exodus 14:17).
c. The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD (Exodus 14:18).
4. The protection of God (Exodus 14:19-20)
a. The angel of God and the pillar of the cloud went behind Israel (Exodus 14:19).
b. They stood between Israel and Egypt (Exodus 14:20).

B. Israel’s Obedience (Exodus 14:21-31)

1. Israel’s victory (Exodus 14:21-22)
a. The waters were divided (Exodus 14:21).
b. Israel went through on dry ground (Exodus 14:22).
2. Egypt’s defeat (Exodus 14:23-28)
a. The Egyptians pursued (Exodus 14:23).
b. The LORD troubled the Egyptians (Exodus 14:24-25).
c. The waters returned upon the Egyptians (Exodus 14:26-28).
3. Israel’s reward (Exodus 14:29-31)
a. Israel walked across on dry land (Exodus 14:29).
b. The LORD saved Israel out of the hand of the Egyptians (Exodus 14:30).
c. Israel saw the great work which God did upon the Egyptians (Exodus 14:31).
d. The people feared and believed the God, and His servant Moses (Exodus 14:31).

CONCLUSION: Although the odds were stacked against Israel either direction they turned, only one direction involved, exercised, and required faith. That is the direction Israel took and enjoyed the benefits of doing so.