Miracles in the Wilderness Series - Lesson 7 - So Egypt May Know

In Exodus 14:1-5, the Lord again spoke to Moses instructing Israel to camp before Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, opposite Baal Zephon.

Considering the perils of the wilderness, evidently, this was not the expected way to travel and God knew it. For reasons unbeknownst to onlookers, He wanted Israel by the sea and He deliberately led them in a round-about way. However, what’s intriguing is why.

Our God has a plan and purpose in everything and here His plan was for Pharaoh to think this vast wilderness confused Israel. Pharaoh’s misconception would then cause him to forget the power of Almighty God, and all he had learned from the pestilence plagues and the death of his firstborn. Pharaoh’s heart would harden and he would chase Israel, in order to return them to slavery.

But God would not allow the enemy to enslave Israel again.

Each plague God sent Egypt, directly assaulted a false god they worshiped. The enemy of our soul had fooled and enticed them to worship the creature rather than the Creator. Because of this, the Egyptian’s could not see or understand, Almighty God holds in His hand, the breath of every creature and the life of all mankind (Job. 12:10).

Even in their anguish and grief-stricken pain, Egypt did not humble themselves in God’s presence. But He loved them just as He loves you. His forever and unchanging desire is for none to perish, but for all to come to repentance.

Therefore, God said, “I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord.” (Exodus 14:18)

While teaching Israel to trust His leading, God also wanted the Egyptians to know Him, to honor and worship only Him. He is God and above Him, there is no other. This omnipotent, omnipresent God states His heart's desire in Isaiah 43:10-11, "...That you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the Lord and besides Me there is no savior."

So, what can we, three-thousand-plus years later, learn?

God wants the world to know Him and He will use any means, such as leading Israel in a round-about way, to cause them to seek His face.

But, please also consider this. As a believer, the next time your life, career, or ministry seems to be taking a perplexing path, it could be a lesson in trust for you as it was for Israel. Or just possibly, God wants someone else to know and honor Him as Lord, through your life, witness, and patience.