Exodus 14:21-25: a reflection

21Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22The children of Israel went into the middle of the sea on the dry ground; and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 23The Egyptians pursued, and went in after them into the middle of the sea: all of Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24In the morning watch, the LORD looked out on the Egyptian army through the pillar of fire and of cloud, and confused the Egyptian army. 25He took off their chariot wheels, and they drove them heavily; so that the Egyptians said, “Let’s flee from the face of Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians!”

As Israel crosses the Red Sea on dry ground and the Egyptians pursue, God so clearly acts on his people's behalf that even their enemies recognize it. He clogs the chariot wheels of the Egyptians, and they cry out, Let's flee from the face of Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians! It was the enemies themselves who acknowledged that God was fighting for Israel; his action on his people's behalf was so evident that even those opposing them could not deny it. God fought for his people, and his fighting for them was plain even to their foes, who fled in recognition that the LORD was against them and for Israel.

Notice who acknowledged that God was fighting for Israel: the enemies themselves. It was not only Israel who saw God's hand; the Egyptians, opposing them, came to recognize it: the LORD fights for them. God's action on his people's behalf was so evident that even their enemies could not deny it, and fled in fear of the God who was against them. When God fights for his people, his fighting can be so plain that even their opponents acknowledge it. The Egyptians did not merely fail; they recognized why, that the LORD was fighting for Israel. God's fighting for his people was undeniable, even to those who stood against them. He fought for them, and even their foes confessed it.

That is worth taking to heart, for God fights for his people, and his fighting for us can be evident even to those who oppose us. We can feel outnumbered and opposed, facing enemies and troubles beyond our strength; but God fights for his people, and his action on our behalf can be so plain that even our opponents recognize it, as the Egyptians confessed the LORD was fighting for Israel. God does not leave his people to fight alone; he fights for them, sometimes so evidently that even their foes must acknowledge it. When you face opposition beyond your strength, remember that God fights for his people, and his fighting can be plain even to those who oppose you. Trust that God fights for his people, and his action on your behalf can be evident even to those who oppose you, as the Egyptians themselves confessed that the LORD was fighting for Israel; for God does not leave his people to fight alone, but fights for them, and his fighting for us can be so plain that even our enemies acknowledge it.

Lord, as Israel crosses the Red Sea on dry ground and the Egyptians pursue, you so clearly act on your people's behalf that even their enemies recognize it. You clog the chariot wheels of the Egyptians, and they cry out, let's flee from the face of Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians! It was the enemies themselves who acknowledged that you were fighting for Israel; your action on your people's behalf was so evident that even those opposing them could not deny it. Show me who acknowledged that you were fighting for Israel: the enemies themselves. It was not only Israel who saw your hand; the Egyptians, opposing them, came to recognize it: the LORD fights for them. Your action on your people's behalf was so evident that even their enemies could not deny it, and fled in fear of you. When you fight for your people, your fighting can be so plain that even their opponents acknowledge it. The Egyptians did not merely fail; they recognized why. You fought for them, and even their foes confessed it. Take that to my heart, for you fight for your people, and your fighting for me can be evident even to those who oppose me. I can feel outnumbered and opposed, facing enemies and troubles beyond my strength; but you fight for your people, and your action on my behalf can be so plain that even my opponents recognize it. You do not leave your people to fight alone. When I face opposition beyond my strength, help me remember that you fight for your people, Lord, and your fighting can be plain even to those who oppose me, as the Egyptians confessed that the LORD was fighting for Israel.