“And it came to pass, that in the morning watch, the Lord looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of the fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians.” Exodus 14:24
It was a very anxious night for the children of Israel who had come to the specific place of the Lord’s choosing, next to the Red Sea, only to be hemmed in by the army of the Egyptian Pharaoh at that time. It is true that the Lord had sent an angel to be their rear guard, as there was a pillar of cloud that went before their face, and stood behind them. On the Egyptian side of the cloud, there was darkness, but on Israel’s side, the cloud gave light to them. Thus, Israel passed the night next to the sea, with nowhere to go. During this time, perhaps early in the evening, the Lord ordered Moses to tell the people to go forward, and yet, there was no where to go. It would be then that the command from the Lord to Moses was to lift up his rod, that sign of the authority of God, then, to stretch forth his hand, to divide the sea. This Moses did. As a result, there arose that night a strong east wind which dried out a path through the sea for the Israelites to walk on. With walls of water on their right and left, the people of Israel went into the sea to pass to the other side. Some time, perhaps very early in the morning, when God allowed the Egyptians to follow the Israelites into the sea, Scripture tells us that specifically during the morning watch the Lord looked down unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud. He “troubled the host of the Egyptians.” He took off the wheels from the chariots, the whole army being in disarray as a result. It was too late for the Egyptians to escape, for even though they drove hard their horses pulling the chariots, they was no escape. It was then that the Lord told Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea, that the waters should come upon the Egyptians, their chariots and horsemen. All would perish in the midst of the sea. This is what occured WHEN THE MORNING CAME, the deliverance of the people of Israel, and the destruction of their enemies. What are the lessons to be learned by this narrative? And do these lessons apply to the individual today, especially with regard to what can occur “when the morning comes?”
The first thing to grasp is that the Lord is sovereign in power, authority, and wisdom, and that nothing is by chance in His economy, especially in dealing with His children. Let us remember that the Lord told Moses exactly where Israel was to encamp, knowing full well that Pharaoh would hem them in at that location. The Lord knew the Israelite’s vulnability and helplessness to defend themselves, and yet, there was a specific purpose for which the Lord led them in this manner. The Lord reveals this purpose in part by declaring: “…I will be honored upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord.” (Exodus 14:4) The Lord has always been a Savior of men, and ever will be. He is ever seeking to save the lost. By the knowledge that the Lord is the only sovereign God, He gives to the Egyptian people who remain a basis, and a motive, for forsaking their idols, turning to Him to be saved.
Secondly, after the Lord saved Israel that morning, and Israel had seen the “great work” of the Lord, Scripture tells us that, “…the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and His servant Moses.” (14:31) The Lord brought Israel to a clear, concise faith in Him, where He became their God, the only object of their worship. The miracle of the morning was God establishing Israel in her faith.
Dear Father, Establish us in Thee today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.