Today’s selected reading continues in the Old Testament book of the Exodus as it was written and recorded by Moses the servant of the Lord. More specifically, today’s passage is found in chapters thirteen through fifteen of this Old Testament book. THE PATH THROUGH THE SEA & THE WORK UNDER THE WATERS! HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO DELIVERANCE? THE FIRST THING GOD ASKS FOR IS TO SANCTIFY! HOLINESS IS DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO DELIVERANCE! WE RESPOND TO DELIVERANCE BY SANCTIFYING THAT WHICH THE LORD CALLS US TO! SANCTIFY & REMEMBER! WHAT DOES FREEDOM LOOK LIKE? EXPERIENCING YOUR FIRST STEPS OF FREEDOM! THE BLOOD, THE LAMB AND THE DEATH ANGEL MADE ROOM FOR FREEDOM AND DELIVERANCE! TOKENS OF FREEDOM & DELIVERANCE: THE BLOOD, THE LAMB, & THE DOORPOSTS! HOW DO YOU PREARE TO STEP INTO YOUR FREEDOM AND DELIVERANCE? PASSOVER PAVES THE WAY FOR DELIVERANCE AND FREEDOM! DEATH BRINGS ABOUT DELIVERANCE; THE BLOOD SECURES LIFE! HOW DO YOU EXPERIENCE FREEDOM? FREEDOM DOESN’T MEAN WALKING THE EASIEST PATH AFTER YOUR DELIVERANCE! THE LORD GOES BEFORE YOU AS YOU WALK YOUR PATH OF FREEDOM—PILLAR OF CLOUD, PILLAR OF FIRE! THE FINAL CONFRONTATION AT THE RED SEA! THE CONFRONTATION DOESN’T END IN EGYHPT, BUT CONTINUES IN THE WILDERNESS! YOU’VE EXPERIENCED DELIVERANCE, NOW IT’S TIME TO EXPERIENCE SALVATION! THE PATH THROUGH THE WATERS, AND THE WORK IN THE MIDST OF THE SEA! SEEING THE VICTORY, SEEING THE WORK OF THE LORD & SINGING YOUR SONG! THE WORK BENEATH THE WATERS! When you come to this particular portion of Scripture you will find the deliverance and redemption of the children and people of Israel from their slavery bondage and oppression having been completed. If you begin reading with and from the thirty-seventh verse of the twelfth chapter you will find that after the children of Israel departed from the land of Egypt they journeyed from Rameses to Succoth and were about six hundred thousand on foot which were men, beside children. What’s more, is that we learn and discover that there was a mixed multitude that went up with the children of Israel out to their slavery, bondage and oppression, as well as much cattle, flocks and herds. As you continue reading the words which are found within the final verses of the twelfth chapter you will find that it had come to pass at the end of four-hundred and thirty years—on the very same day—all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. The night they went forth from the land of Egypt was a night which was to be observed unto the Lord, for it was the Lord who brought them out from the land of Egypt. This night which the children of Israel were delivered out of their slavery, bondage and oppression was to be a night which they celebrated in each and every generation from that generation on. The final verse of the twelfth chapter of the book of Exodus concludes with the the Lord bringing forth the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies, and the beginning of their journey into the wilderness.

When you begin reading with and from the first verse of the thirteenth chapter you will find the Lord speaking unto Moses as the children of Israel began their journey through the wilderness, and instructing him to do something very specific. As you begin reading the words within the thirteenth chapter you will find one of the first commandments and requirements given by the Lord through Moses unto the children of Israel was regarding sanctifying something very specific to the Lord. I’m sitting her thinking about and considering the children of Israel emerging out of their slavery, bondage and oppression within the land of Egypt, and I can’t help but be absolutely and incredibly captivated with the reality that after the Lord had delivered the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt He almost immediately asked them to sanctify something very specific unto Him. This is actually quite important when you consider it, for within the command which was spoken by the living God you will find and discover that holiness was and is still to this day directly linked and connected to deliverance. What’s more, is that we respond to deliverance and freedom within our lives by not only pursuing holiness before and in the sight of the living God, but we also engage ourselves in sanctifying that which the Lord our God has required of us. If you read the words which are found within the opening verses of the thirteenth chapter you will find the Lord speaking unto Moses and instructing him to sanctify unto Him all the firstborn, whatsoever opened the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast. What’s more, is that as you read these words you will go on to discover that not only did the Lord require that all the firstborn among the children of Israel be sanctified unto Him, but He also proceeded to declare unto them quire plainly and clearly that the firstborn of both man and beast belonged to Him. Please don’t and lose sight of this, for perhaps one of the single greatest tragedies about men and women who experience deliverance and salvation is when you experience the living God in the wilderness and almost immediately He begins declaring unto you that which belongs to Him and that which is His. If I am being honest with myself and you who are reading the words which are found in this passage of Scripture—one of the hardest things to do after deliverance is hearing the Lord command and instruct us to sanctify ourselves, as well as those things in our lives—all of which belong to Him and are completely and totally His. We find it incredibly difficult—even after experiencing deliverance and freedom within our lives to give complete and total ownership of everything within our lives—even more so when the Lord emphatically declares unto us that those things belong to Him.

The more I read and the more I consider the words which are written and found within these chapters the more I am absolutely and completely captivated with and by the fact that almost immediately after the children of Israel were delivered and brought from the midst of their slavery, bondage and oppression the Lord spoke unto Moses and commanded that he sanctify unto Him all the firstborn, for they belonged to Him. Pause for a moment consider how you would respond if you were in such a place and received such a command. While it is true that we were not in the wilderness with Moses, Aaron and the children of Israel when the Lord spoke this command we must admit and acknowledge the tremendous fact that one of the single greatest acknowledgements and declarations upon our experiencing deliverance and freedom in our lives is to begin to sanctify anything and everything we think belongs to us. It would have been very easy for the children of Israel to come out of the land of Egypt and to think and even believe that the firstborn belonged to them, however, Scripture clearly reveals and points to the reality that the firstborn of whatsoever opened the womb among the children of Israel belonged to Him. Oh, how do you respond and how do you react when the Lord your God begins speaking to you about sanctifying unto Him those things in your life—particularly and especially those things which you believe to belong to you. One of the greatest dangers and tragedies within our lives is experiencing deliverance and freedom from those things which have kept us slaves and in bondage and going on to believe that our lives our own, and that those things within our lives belong to us. Upon their exodus from the land of Egypt the living God commanded that the firstborn among all those which broke the womb among the children of Israel was to be sanctified as holy unto Him, for they all belonged to Him. I am sitting here this evening and I have to admit that one of the hardest things to do within my life is to admit that everything belongs to the living God. If I am truly being honest with you who are reading these words I must admit without hesitation that I have found it incredibly difficult to live in the reality of the knowledge that everything belongs to the Lord my God. What’s more, is that I have had an incredibly difficult time—not only believing that everything belongs to the living God, but also committing to sanctify those things within my life which belong to Him. Perhaps the single greatest question we must ask ourselves when reading this passage of Scripture is whether or not we are willing to take that which the Lord declares is His and belongs to Him and sanctifies those things before and unto Him. The Lord had scarcely delivered the children of Israel out of their slavery, their bondage and oppression, and almost immediately after he delivered them from the midst of it, He begins calling them to sanctify those things which belonged to Him. If there is one thing we must recognize and understand concerning deliverance and freedom it’s that both realities within our lives pave the way and prepare us for coming face to face with the reality that everything we have belongs to the living God. What’s more, is that not only does everything belong to the Lord, but He also asks us to sanctify those things which belong to Him.

SANCTIFY! REMEMBER! CELEBRATE! As you continue reading the words which are found within these chapters you will find that while one of the first commands the Lord spoke unto Moses after their departure from the land of Egypt was to sanctify all the firstborn for they belonged to him, the very next command you will find is the Lord speaking unto Moses and commanding both he and the children of Israel to remember that night. REMEMBER THE NIGHT! REMEMBER THE DAY! If you read the words found within these chapters—even going back to those which are found within the twelfth chapter you will not only find the Lord instructing them to remember this night—the night when they got themselves up out of the land of Egypt—but you will also find the living God declaring unto them that that day would be for them the first day of the year unto them. I have to admit that this is quite remarkable and astounding when you truly take the time to think about it, for not only was the Lord using their deliverance to mark their freedom and deliverance, but the day of their deliverance would be exactly four hundred and thirty years after they had become slaves within the land of Egypt. Upon reading the words which are found within these chapters you will find that the deliverance which the Lord brought about for the children of Israel was exactly four hundred days from when they were slaves in the land, thus marking that day all those centuries in the past. What’s more, is that not only did the day of their deliverance mark the time of their slavery and bondage and those centuries they spent as slaves in the land of Egypt, but it also marked the beginning of the new year for them. Pause for a moment and think about and consider this, for not only did that very day cause the children of Israel to look back and remember the four hundred plus years they were slaves, but it also marked a new beginning for them. I am thoroughly convinced that the declaration which the Lord made concerning that day and if being the beginning of the year for them was not only a declaration concerning their past, but it was also a declaration which pointed to their future. How absolutely wonderful and amazing it is to think about and consider the fact that one single day not only marked the end of one reality, but it also marked the opening and beginning of the new year and new beginning for the children of Israel. In a similar fashion there was another day which marked the end of one reality and the beginning of another reality. That day most likely took place in the year 33 A.D. and was the day when our Lord was crucified upon the cruel roman tree at the place of the skull. It was on this day when His death not only marked the end of one covenant and one era, but it also paved the way and opened up the door for an entirely new era. It was the day Jesus Christ died upon the cross that set in motion an entirely new covenant—and with it an entirely new journey for all those who believe in His name and choose to walk with and follow Him. How absolutely amazing and wonderful a si god day makes, for one single day can serve two divine purposes in the hands of the living God.

I have to admit that upon reading the words which are found within these chapters I am completely and utterly amazed at the reality that the Lord used the day of the deliverance to mark the end of the slavery for the children of Israel as it took place on the selfsame day which began four hundred and thirty years earlier. What’s more, is that not only did this day look back and mark the end of their slavery, bondage and oppression, but it also marked the beginning of a journey they would take with the Lord their God who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt. The very day the children of Israel were brought forth from the midst of their slavery, bondage and oppression was the very day that marked the beginning of the journey the children of Israel would make in knowing the God who brought them out of their bondage and the very God who would bring them into the land of their promise and inheritance. I am absolutely amazed and taken back by the wonderful significance of what a single day makes and what a single day can mean—not only in connection with your past, but also to your future. It’s worth noting that while one single day marks the end of something that had lasted for such a long time within your life—that very same day can mean the beginning and stepping into something entirely new for you within your life. With that being said it must be understood and recognized that when the Lord delivered and brought the children of Israel up out of their slavery their bondage and oppression—not only did He bring them up from the midst of it to remove them from the land of Egypt, but He also brought them forth from the midst of it that He might bring them into the land of their inheritance and the land of promise and blessing. Oh we must recognize and understand that the Lord has never and will never bring us out of something without also bringing us into something. The Lord never takes from us and does not give back unto us by replacing it with something completely and entirely different. His particular day would not only mark the end of exactly four hundred and thirty years of slavery and bondage within the land of Egypt, but it would also mark the beginning of an entirely new life in and with the Lord their God. This particular day would be a day when the children of Israel would experience the end of one era within their lives and the beginning of something entirely new. This day would be the first and opening day of their journey with the Lord their God who had brought them forth out of their slavery, bondage and oppression and would now lead them into and through the wilderness. This day would be that day which would not only serve as the beginning of the Jewish calendar, and thus the beginning of a new year for them, but it would also be that day which would mark the beginning of their journey and their walk with the living God who delivered them out of their slavery and oppression and who was not going to make Himself known unto them and lead them through the wilderness and into the Promised Land.

In the first two verses of the thirteenth chapter we find the Lord speaking unto Moses and commanding him to sanctify all the firstborn among the children of Israel, for they belonged to Him. Immediately following these words you will find Moses speaking unto the people and instructing them to remover this day in which they came out from Egypt, and out of the house of bondage, for by the strength of hand the Lord brought them out from this place. Please don’t miss and please don’t lose sight of this incredible reality, for directly on the heels of the Lord instructing Moses to sanctify all the firstborn among the children of Israel—both of man and beast—we find Moses instructing the children of Israel to remember this day, and to mark it in their hearts and souls as a day when the Lord delivered and brought them forth from the midst of their slavery, bondage and oppression. I happen to find this to be truly astonishing and truly remarkable, for when and as you consider the deliverance the children of Israel experienced from their slavery and oppression you will find them not only being instructed to sanctify that which belongs to the Lord their God, but you will also find them being instructed to remember the day which they were brought forth from the midst of the land of Egypt and from their slavery, bondage and oppression. We too must take note and make mention of this absolutely incredible reality, for this one single day marked the end of their slavery and bondage in the land of Egypt, and they were never to forget it. While they were to engage themselves in the journey through the wilderness, and while they were to prepare to enter into the land of their inheritance, promise and blessing, they were also to at the same time look back to that day when the Lord their God brought them up out of the land of Egypt—and not only brought them up out of the land of Egypt, but also did so with a strong hand. While you read the words which are found within these chapters you will find repeated references to exactly how the living God of the Hebrews brought them forth from the midst of their slavery, their bondage and oppression, and will read how the Lord not only brought them up out of the land of their slavery, bondage and oppression, but did so by strength of hand and with a strong right hand. Please don’t miss and please don’t lose sight of this absolutely incredible and tremendous reality, for to do so would be to completely miss the awesome and wonderful miracle the children of Israel experienced when the living God delivered and brought them forth out of their slavery, out of their bondage, and out of their oppression. When the living God instructed them to remember this day—the day when they came forth out of the land of Egypt—He was instructing them to remember how they had not only come out of their slavery, bondage and oppression, but they had also come out with a strong hand.

Perhaps the single greatest question we must ask when we read the narrative and account of the children of Israel coming forth out of their slavery, bondage and oppression is this: How do you experience freedom? When you think about freedom and deliverance within your own life, how do you think about and how do you experience it? The single greatest truth we must recognize, and the single greatest truth we find within these chapters is that the children of Israel could not take credit for their deliverance, nor could they boast about how their own might brought them forth from the midst of their slavery and oppression. If and as you read the words which are found within these chapters you will find that it was the Lord who had brought forth and it was the Lord who delivered the children of Israel out of their slavery, bondage and oppression within the land of Egypt. In fact, as you read the words which are found within these chapters you will find two distinct realities and truths that surround just how the children of Israel came out and were brought forth from their slavery, bondage and oppression. On the one hand you will find how the children of Israel came out with great favour in the sight of the Egyptians, and how they came forth with much goods and much jewels as the Lord had given them favor in the sight of the Egyptians who in turn blessed and gave unto them gold, and silver, and fine linen and such as what would be needed and required when the time would come to build the tabernacle of the Lord their God in the wilderness. With that being said, you will also find and read within this passage of Scripture that Moses recorded of the children of Israel that they spoiled the Egyptians and in all reality plundered them after being enslaved for four-hundred and thirty years. Pause for a moment and think about and consider that, for while it was true that the Lord completely decimated and devastated the land of Egypt together with its gods, the Lord also allowed the children of Israel to come forth from the midst of their slavery having completely and utterly plundered and spoiled the Egyptians. Don’t miss this, for when you think about and consider the fact that the children of Israel came forth from the midst of their slavery, bondage and oppression you will find that they didn’t just come out of the midst of it, but the Lord also allowed them to spoil the Egyptians. A SPOILED PEOPLE, A DECIMATED LAND, AND DEFEATED GODS! When the Lord brought the children of Israel forth from the midst of their slavery, their bondage and oppression, not only did He allow the children of Israel to spoil the Egyptians, but he also completely decimated and devastated their land, and defeated their gods. This must be carefully considered by any who would read the narrative and account of the children of Israel coming forth from the midst of their slavery, bondage and oppression, for their deliverance was not merely about the land of Egypt being devastated and decimated, but it was also about the people of God themselves spoiling the Egyptians. What’s more, is that it’s almost as if upon their departure the children of Israel received wages for all those years they served as slaves in the land of Egypt and experienced cruel and oppressive abuse and affliction.

Continuing to read the words which are found within these passages of Scripture you will find and discover that not only did the children of Israel come forth from the midst of their slavery, bondage and oppression having completely and utterly spoiled the Egyptians, but they also came out with an high hand, as the Lord delivered and brought them forth by the strength of hand. On more than one occasion within these chapters you will find it written and recorded how the children of Israel were brought forth by strength of hand, as well as the fact that with a strong hand the Lord brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt. IT’s absolutely imperative that we recognize and make note of this, for when we think about and speak concerning the deliverance of the children of Israel we must recognize that it was the strength and might of the Lord their God who delivered and brought them forth. It was not because of their own might, nor was it because of their own strength that they were brought forth from the midst of their slavery, for it was the Lord who executed judgments upon the Egyptians and upon the entire land of Egypt. It was the Lord their God who went to battle for them and fought for them in the midst of the land of Egypt, as it was the Lord who not only crippled the Egyptians and crippled the land of Egypt, but it was the Lord who humbled Pharaoh himself and brought him to the place of releasing and driving the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt. This is absolutely incredible when you take the time to consider it, for when you think about the deliverance of the children of Israel you will find that it was the Lord who entered into judgment with Pharaoh, and with the land of Egypt and fought for them. It was the Lord who entered into the land of Egypt and executed judgment against the king of Egypt, as the Lord would completely lay waste to the land of Egypt and to everything that had made it great during those days. It was the living God of the Hebrews who had entered into judgment with Pharaoh king of Egypt and with the land of Egypt, and it was the Lord who went to battle and fought for the children of Israel that they might come forth from their slavery, their bondage and their oppression. As if this weren’t enough you will find that Moses also wrote about the Lord bringing forth his armies from the midst of the land of Egypt—those who would engage in the Lord’s battles, and those whom the Lord would train for war. While it would be the Lord who would fight for the children of Israel in the midst of the land of Egypt—the Lord would bring the children of Israel out by their armies into the wilderness in order that he might teach them to wage war and teach them to battle. It would be the armies of the living God that would enter into the land of Canaan after crossing over the Jordan River and would drive out the inhabitants of the land of Canaan. How absolutely captivating it is to think about and consider the fact that when the Lord brought the children of Israel out of their slavery, their bondage and oppression, He didn’t just bring out a people, and He didn’t just bring out a nation, but He brought out armies. As you continue reading the words which are found in these chapters you will find that there were six hundred thousand men who came forth from the midst of the land of Egypt—this didn’t include the woman and children who accompanied them. I have heard that it is estimated nearly three million souls came forth out of the land of Egypt and journeyed into the wilderness and through the Red Sea. Think about that for a minute, for when the children of Israel came forth out of the land of Egypt—not only were they a mixed multitude, but they also came forth from the midst of the land three million souls who would follow the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night through the wilderness.

The more I read and study the narrative of the children of Israel and their deliverance out of the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and as much as I read and study the narrative of them being brought from the midst of their slavery, bondage and oppression, the more I can’t help but come face to face with the reality that just because they were delivered and brought forth from the midst of their slavery, bondage and oppression—that didn’t mean that the confrontation with Pharaoh was over. I have previously written that there are times within our lives when we begin speaking about and begin pursuing freedom, and it seems that almost immediately as we begin speaking about freedom and deliverance within our lives the enemy and adversary begins to increase the pressure, the burdens, the oppression and the affliction within our lives. If you read the account of the children of Israel within the land of Egypt you will find that once Moses and Aaron appeared and began demanding that he let the children of Israel go from their slavery within the land, Pharaoh increased the burdens they were required to fulfill and complete within the land. You will find that once Moses and Aaron stepped on to the scene and began speaking about the freedom fo the children of Israel, Pharaoh proceeded to increase the affliction, the oppression and the burdens and pressure they faced there in the land of Egypt. This is important for us to recognize, for there are times within our lives when we begin speaking about freedom and deliverance from those things which have held us in bondage, and almost as if it were on cue the enemy and adversary begins to turn up the heat within our lives and increase the pressure we have faced and experienced. I know there are those reading these words who have faced and have experienced these realities, for there are those among us who have started speaking about freedom within our lives, and the minute we begin speaking about freedom and deliverance within our lives—freedom from those things which have captivated and ensnared us—we begin to experience tremendous opposition, tremendous affliction, and tremendous pressure. If there is one thing the narrative and account of the children of Israel reveals it’s that we can very well speak about freedom and deliverance within our lives, and yet the minute the enemy and adversary hears about our need and our desire for freedom and deliverance, he begins to turn up the heat and throw everything he has against us. The narrative and account of the children of Israel points to and reveals this reality, for from the moment Moses and Aaron showed up in the midst of the land of Egypt demanding of Pharaoh to let the people of God go, the king of Egypt only turned up the heat and increased the affliction and oppression which was experienced by the children of Israel. What’s more, is that he proceeded to make their lives all the more bitter with even harsher punishment and even greater affliction. In all reality, it’s almost as if matters were made worse before they were made better.

With this reality in mind I find it absolutely necessary that we think about and consider the fact that not only did the affliction and oppression increase in the lives of the children of Israel when they began speaking about freedom and deliverance from their bondage, but even after they were delivered and set free from their affliction and bondage, that didn’t mean the confrontation was over. If and as you continue reading the words which are found within these chapters you will find in the fourteenth chapter that the Lord instructed Moses to have the children of Israel turn and encamp before Pi-Hahirtoh, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baal-zephon. Furthermore, you will find the Lord speaking unto Moses and instructing him to have the children of Israel encamp before Baal-zephon by the Red Sea which would be before them. As you read these words you will find that the Lord would go on to speak concerning Pharaoh king of Egypt how he would speak concerning the children of Israel and declare how they were entangled in the land, and that the wilderness had shut them in. Furthermore, the Lord would go on to speak unto Moses and declare that He would harden the heart of Pharaoh that he would follow after them in order that he would be honored upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host that the Egyptians might know that he was indeed the Lord. Continuing to read within the fourteenth chapter you will find that it was told unto the king of Egypt that the people had fled, and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants were turned against the people—so much so that they reasoned among themselves why and how they could have let the children of Israel go from the midst of the land and from serving them. In all reality, that which we find and that which we read within these chapters is of absolute and tremendous significance, for we must recognize and realize that just because we have experienced deliverance and freedom within our lives—that doesn’t mean that the confrontation and the struggle is over. If there is one thing the words in this chapter reveals, it’s that even though we might experience deliverance and freedom within our lives, that doesn’t mean the enemy is done with us. Just because we find ourselves experience deliverance and freedom within our lives doesn’t mean the enemy has stopped and will cease coming after and pursuing us. Reading the fourteenth chapter of the book of Exodus you will come face to face with the awesome and incredible reality that even after Pharaoh had driven the children of Israel forth from the midst of their slavery, bondage and oppression, he still readied his chariot and gathered unto himself chariots and horses with captains over each chariot in order that he might pursue them into the wilderness. Please mark and make note of this within your heart and mind, for it brings us face to face with an absolutely incredible truth—namely, that deliverance and freedom might very well mean that we have been set free from that which enslaved us and kept us in bondage, however, it doesn’t mean that the enemy can’t and won’t pursue us in that place of freedom.

YOU’RE SPEAKING ABOUT FREEDOM—PREPARE TO EXPERIENCE GREATER AFFLICTION, GREATER OPPRESSION AND GREATER PRESSURE WITHIN YOUR LIFE! YOU’RE DELIVERED AND YOU’VE BEEN SET FREE—PREPARE FOR THE ENEMY AND ADVERSARY TO MOVE AGAINST YOU THAT HE MIGHT PURSUE YOU TO OVERTAKE YOU! That which is written and found within these chapters is quite unique and astounding, for what you find within these chapters is the tremendous reality that after Pharaoh had driven the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, his heart was hardened against the children of Israel, and so much so that he pursued them with horses and chariots into the wilderness. If the narrative and account of the children of Israel in the land of Egypt proves and demonstrates one thing, it’s that when we begin speaking about freedom and deliverance within our lives, we might very well find ourselves facing and experiencing increased pressure, affliction and oppression in our lives. The narrative and account of the children of Israel within the land of Egypt proves that when we begin speaking about freedom and deliverance in our lives—even if it might seem and appear unto us as merely a pipe dream—the enemy and adversary can and will turn up the heat and turn up the pressure in our lives in order that our lives might be all the more miserable. With that being said, we must also come to terms with the fact that even after we have experienced deliverance and freedom within our lives, we might very well find ourselves being pursued by the enemy and adversary as he demonstrates an unwillingness to let us go and an unwillingness to allow us to walk in and experience freedom within our hearts and lives. Within the fourteenth chapter of the Old Testament book of Exodus we find that after Pharaoh had driven the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt and had thrust them forth from the land as those who were free from slavery, bondage and oppression, he would reason within himself why and how he could have done such a thing, and as a result would pursue the children of Israel into the wilderness. As much as this might seem discouraging unto us, it is absolutely necessary and imperative that we recognize and understand that Pharaoh’s pursuit of the children of Israel into the wilderness was ordained and appointed by the Lord God of the Hebrews, for the Lord would use Pharaoh’s pursuit of the children of Israel to gain honor for Himself against Pharaoh, and that the people of Egypt might know and recognize that the Lord is God alone. We must recognize and understand that while the children of Israel were in the land of Egypt, Moses and Aaron didn’t stand before and stand in the company and presence of Pharaoh one time and he immediately and automatically agreed to release and set them free. Upon reading the words which are found in these chapters in the book of Exodus you will find it written how the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron to go and stand before Pharaoh at least seven times, and each one of those seven times they stood in his presence, they were to demand and command that he let the people of God go.

The fourteenth chapter of the book of Exodus finds a redeemed a ransomed and a people delivered from their slavery, bondage and oppression, and yet even in the place of that freedom they still found themselves being pursued by their enemy and adversary. What’s more, is that not only did they find themselves being pursued by Pharaoh, but you will find them being pursued by Pharaoh and his horses and chariots, as he sought to overtake them there in the wilderness in order that he might capture them to bring them back into the land of Egypt. This is absolutely necessary and vital for us to understand and consider, for it reveals unto us the incredible truth that even though we might experience freedom and deliverance within our hearts and lives, and even though we might experience freedom in certain areas within our lives—that doesn’t mean the enemy has given up on us, nor that the enemy won’t rise up against us to pursue us in the place of freedom. It’s worth noting that we might very well be walking our path of freedom and deliverance in our lives, and yet even in the midst of that freedom and deliverance we still find ourselves being pursued by the enemy and adversary in order that he might once more enslave us and bring us into bondage. The narrative and account of the children of Israel in the wilderness before the Red Sea proves and demonstrates the absolutely incredible and tremendous truth that we can indeed and can in fact experience and find freedom and deliverance within our lives, and yet even though we begin to walk in freedom, that doesn’t mean the enemy has given up his desire for us and won’t pursue us to overtake us. Pharaoh and his servants reasoned among themselves why and how they could have let the children of Israel go from the midst of the land, and as such they decided that they would pursue them into the wilderness in order that they might overtake them and enslave them once more. As surely and as much as we can plan on the enemy increasing the pressure, the burdens and the affliction within our lives when we begin speaking about freedom, we can also plan on the enemy and adversary pursuing us—even after we have experienced freedom and deliverance in our lives. The children of Israel were set free from their slavery, their bondage and their oppression in the land of Egypt, and yet the enemy and adversary still readied itself against them to pursue and overtake them there in the wilderness. Oh that we would recognize this within our hearts and minds, for it brings us face to face with the absolutely incredible truth that even though the enemy and adversary seeks to pursue and overtake you in the place of freedom, that doesn’t mean the Lord isn’t planning and preparing something Himself within your life.

The fourteenth chapter of the Old Testament book of Exodus demonstrates the reality that the enemy and adversary can indeed pursue us in the place of freedom in order that he might overtake us, and that it is very well possible that we can find ourselves between the sea and the enemy as fear and terror begins to settle into our hearts and souls. As you begin reading with and from the tenth verse of the fourteenth chapter you will find the children of Israel lifted up their eyes and saw Pharaoh with his horses and chariots drawing near as they marched after them, and they were sore afraid and cried out unto the Lord. What’s more, is that they immediately began complaining before and unto Moses, saying “Because there were not graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? Wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it has been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness” (Exodus 14:11-12). It’s absolutely stunning that when Moses heard the cries of the people there in the wilderness he immediately declared unto them and encouraged them to fear not, and to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord which He would show them on that day. What’s more, is that Moses would also go on to declare unto the children of Israel that the Egyptians they saw on that day, they would see no more, for the Lord would fight for them as they held their peace. Oh that we would lay hold of this reality, for there in the wilderness between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army Moses stood in the midst of the people and encouraged them to be still and hold their peace—not only because the Lord would fight for them on this day, but also because the enemy they saw on that day they would see no more. How absolutely wonderful and astounding it is to think about and consider the fact that there would be a final showdown and a final confrontation with Pharaoh in the land of Egypt, as Pharaoh would pursue them with his horses and chariots that he might overtake them. Despite the fact that the children of Israel were fearful and terrified when they saw the Egyptian horses and chariots pursuing them marching out against them, Moses instructed and encouraged them to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, which He would show unto them on that day. As if this weren’t enough, Moses would also declare unto them that the Egyptians they saw this day they would see no more. Oh while it is true that the enemy can and might very well pursue you in the place of freedom to overtake you, it is also true that the Lord can and will fight for you in that place of freedom. Just as the Lord God of the Hebrews fought for the children of Israel, so also can and so also will the Lord God of Israel fight for you in that place of freedom as the enemy has risen up against you to pursue and overtake you. What’s more, is that the Lord would so fight for you and against your enemies that the enemies which you saw before you you would never see again.

I began this writing with the words “THE PATH BENEATH THE WATERS AND THE WORK IN THE MIDST OF THE SEA,” and it is worth our time and consideration in this matter, for when we read the narrative and account of the children of Israel in this chapter we find that even though the children of Israel found themselves standing before the Red Sea with the Egyptians behind them to pursue and overtake them, the Lord their God had a plan which He would execute on that day. If you continue reading the words which are found in this portion of Scripture you will find that the Lord instructed Moses to stretch forth his rod over the sea, and that as he did so He would divide the waters asunder, thus revealing a path the children of Israel would use to pass through the waters on dry land. As you read the words found within this chapter you will find that a path through the waters did indeed open up for the children of Israel, and how the children of Israel passed through the waters on dry ground and crossed over to the other side. It’s absolutely necessary that we understand this, for the word which Moses used to describe this event within the lives of the children of Israel was salvation. Moses spoke unto the children of Israel to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, and we must recognize that their standing still and seeing the salvation of the Lord meant that a path would be made and revealed in the midst of the waters which they would pass through—and not only a path through the waters which they would pass through, but also a path through the waters which the Egyptians would attempt to pass through themselves, and yet would be completely and utterly overtaken by the waters. IT’s worth noting that the path which was revealed in the midst of the waters which the children of Israel passed through was only part of the salvation they would experience, as the other part of their salvation would be the complete and utter destruction of their enemies, as once they were passed through the waters and crossed over to the other side, the Egyptians would pursue them through the same path. As much as the Egyptians sought to pursue the children of Israel through the same path in the midst of the waters, they found themselves unable to contend with the Lord God of the Hebrews, for the Lord God would cause the chariot wheels to come off the Egyptians chariots, and would thrust them into such chaos and confusion as they found themselves in between the waters of the sea. With the Egyptians in the midst of the sea and the waters on either side of them the Lord instructed Moses to stretch forth his rod over the sea, and as he did so the waters of the sea returned to their place and completely and utterly overthrew Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, soldiers and captains. This must be understood, for when we consider this particular point in the narrative of the children and people of Israel we must understand that there was indeed a path in the midst of the waters, but as surely and as much as there was a path in the midst of the waters, there was also a work in the midst of the waters, and a work underneath the waters. The waters which were divided to grant the children of Israel passage through to the other side would be the very same waters which would completely consume and utterly destroy the Egyptians.

As I prepare to bring this writing to a close I find it absolutely necessary to draw and call your attention to the fact that what we find here in the fourteenth chapter is a truly wonderful and powerful picture of baptism, for baptism is more than simply an external manifestation of an inner reality, and there is actually a work that takes place beneath the waters. What’s more, is that the great flood which we find and read about in the Old Testament book of Genesis is also a wonderful and tremendous picture of baptism as the waters of the flood provided shelter and safety for Noah and his family as the waters raised up the ark above the earth and allowed the ark to move upon the waters as there was a mighty work that was done beneath the waters. While the waters of the flood raised up the ark and thus allowed Noah and his family to be protected and guarded from what was taking place upon the earth—it would be those same waters which would bring about the destruction of the tremendous sin, wickedness, and iniquity that was present within and upon the earth. There was a work that would take place beneath the waters of the flood—namely, the destruction of wickedness, iniquity, sin and transgression. In a similar manner and in a similar fashion, there was a work that took place underneath and in the midst of the waters of the Red Sea, as the Lord would use those same waters to completely and utterly destroy the Egyptians with their horses, their chariots and their captains and soldiers. Oh that we would recognize the path through the waters was only part of the salvation experience for the children of Israel, as the other part of the salvation experience was the complete and utter destruction of their enemies, as the enemies which they saw before them that day they would see no more. Oh it is my prayer as I write these words, and as you read these words that you experience the salvation of the Lord within your life and the enemy and/or enemies you see before you today you will never see again. It is my prayer that as you read the words which are found within this passage of Scripture you would encounter and come face to face with the salvation of the Lord which would grant you a path through the waters, but would also completely and utterly destroy your enemies.