From Genesis 3:1 to Revelation 22:21 the Scriptures record trials. Trials by flesh, trials by spirit, trials by the world; but there are always trials.The entire Bible is a masterpiece from God teaching and equipping us to handle trials. In fact, Peter writes this: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12) And then there’s everyone’s favorite: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,” (James 1:2). James continues: “for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (James 1:3). I’d like to look at a small piece of God’s masterpiece as an encouragement that God is present and specific in the trials he provides for us.
Exodus 13:17 through chapter 14 is one of many illustrations the Scriptures provide revealing to us God’s presence in a very particular trial: the beginning of the exodus of his people from Egypt.This, in fact, is one of the most magnificent historical accounts in the Scriptures. It is the account of the parting of the Red Sea. It is not so much about the miracle God performs here as it is the fierce love and particular care he has for his people. This care includes calling them to learn and grow and change during their lives on earth. This care includes the foreshadowing that would provide release from spiritual bondage.
After 430 years, to the day, (Exodus 12:41) the people of God leave Egypt: “It was a night of watching by the LORD, to bring them out of the land of Egypt; so this same night is a night of watching kept to the LORD by all the people of Israel.” (Exodus 12:42)
In the wee hours of the night, unleavened bread still in its bowl and hoisted upon the shoulders of its baker, the people of God begin a journey that has been kept to the LORD by all the people of Israel. God instructs Moses formally to keep the Passover that they will remember “by a strong hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt” (Exodus 13:16b).
Even though God’s strong hand was with these people, his people, they “went up out of Egypt equipped for battle” (Exodus 13:18). Just prior to these words, in the same verse, Exodus 13:18, Moses writes: “But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea.” A cursory look at the map of Egypt through the Sinai peninsula and on to Canaan seems like the travel route would be pretty straight forward. This map shows the straight shot in orange and the route on which God sent the Hebrew people in white. God had planned a specific trial for his people, one that would ultimately strengthen them and glorify himself.
There is more here than I could possibly recount in this short essay so I draw your attention to the moment of the deepest desperation for these people: God has boxed them in. Look at that map again, they are surrounded: mountains, water, enemies. Yet God has led them to this very spot. Think about this scene: by now the men would have moved to the rear, remember they were equipped for battle. The women and children would be separated from them up front. I picture my own daughter and daughter-in-law with my grandbabies. Holding those who are too young to walk, trying to console those old enough to see what their end will be – all standing there facing the Red Sea and with their men behind them facing death from the well-trained Egyptian soldiers. Ladies, that is a trial. Maybe your heart has felt that same hopelessness?
The people cry out in anger at Moses. Moses, the fierce leader and lover of God says this:
Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD,..The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.
Exodus 14:13a,14
Some 1400 years later God’s people faced a similar hopeless trial. These men and women also were equipped for battle. They were trained by the Son of Man who now hung, cursed, on a tree. The Lamb of God hung there during the same feast that was instituted on that exodus from the bondage in Egypt. Jesus hung there in what seemed insurmountable hopelessness at a time that was kept to the LORD by all the people of Israel. These men and women, imperfect as you and I, were being released from the bondage of sin. They were called to stand firm. They were witnessing the salvation of the LORD. The LORD was fighting for them – all they could do was be silent. God is present. God is specific.
Our trials are given us by God – each one. They may not so dramatically illustrate what The Exodus illustrated: the foreshadowing of the exodus from our bondage to sin. But we must face them equipping ourselves for battle by sitting under the proclamation of God’s Word and the personal study of it. Each trial comes with the full presence of God that we might learn and grow and change as long as we remain alive or the Lord tarries.