Exodus 14-15; Matthew 17

Exodus 14

⁵ When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!”

Pharaoh and his ogbanje tendencies! Just like the devil.

¹⁵ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.¹⁶ Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.

This is a big reaffirmation of the fact that God is looking to us to play our own part. Prayer is essential, but it’s not sufficient. In this case, God was asking – why are you praying?? Do something! I’ve given you what you need! Lord, open my eyes to see what you’ve already given me. Grant me the wisdom to use it. Amen.

¹⁹ Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them.

Father, may your angel travel before me and my children, in Jesus’ Name. Shield us from the arrow that flies by day and from the pestilence that stalks in the darkness. Cause us to make you our dwelling place.

The waters were divided, ²² and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. ²³ The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea.

The folly of stubbornness. It makes us blind. So blind that Pharaoh and his men didn’t even stop to consider or to marvel over the fact that the Red Sea had been split into two. They just charged in, after the Israelites without a thought. Lord, remove every form of stubbornness in me that does not glorify you. But let me keep the kind that makes me follow after you stubbornly (J).

Exodus 15

²² Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. ²³ When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.^[i]) ²⁴ So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”

Shortly after a mighty, unprecedented miracle (which had the Israelites singing unto God, praising him, fearing him afresh) came a situation of discomfort that made them forget all he had done. Lord, give me a mind that remembers stubbornly, despite any discomfort/delay/difficult situation. Holy Spirit, bring the Word and all the God has done to my remembrance at all times. After a miracle, there might be a drought. This doesn’t mean that God isn’t right there. Get over it and get moving. God will never leave you nor forsake you.

²⁷ Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.

Always give it time. After Marah, the place of bitter, undrinkable water, came Elim, the place of 12 springs. God is in control.

Matthew 17

I wondered why the little faith of the disciples wasn’t enough. Still need to figure that one out.

“Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. ²⁷ “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

So that we may not cause offense! I love that. We’re exempt from many things, yes. But we still need to live on this earth and get along with people! So let’s not be people that make it our mission to cause offense. Let’s choose our battles in wisdom.