Pillars and Clouds January 3, 2015

¹² Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”  Exodus 14:12 ESV

Our Sunday School group is currently engaged in a study of the nation of Isreal from its early beginnings with Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses.  What I find interesting is how human nature has not changed since the dawn of man.  We may like to consider ourselves enlightened, progressive, and refined, but when it is all said and done, we have not come a long way, baby.

Today's verse is a shining example of how consistent human nature has been over the ages.

The Israelites have been in the wilderness for some time, but not long enough for them to have forgotten the awesome demonstration of power from Yahweh during their last weeks in Egypt.  Plagues, desolation, death, all in the name of freeing His people.  In fact, things has gotten so bad in Egypt, the Egyptians had actually paid the Israelites to vamoose.  (Exodus 12:35)  Once out of Egypt, God's presence was ever visible  "And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. ²² The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.  (Exodus 13:12,22 ESV)

But just a few short weeks later, the situation began to look a little dire and immediately the very people who has witnessed firsthand the power of the Almighty God began to whine and complain. 
"They said to Moses, 'Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? ¹² Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.'"  (Exodus 14:11,12 ESV)

Where was the faith?  Where was the confidence?  Where are there memories?  God had proven Himself faithful.  He had demonstrated His power.  I love what Moses told the people in verse 14, chapter 14.  "The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent."  Translation. . ."Just shut up, you big babies.  God's got this covered."

When the Egyptian arms is cresting the ridge, think back to times when God has proven Himself faithful.  Recall that $50 bill you found in a coat pocket when you were short on groceries.  Remember that phone call from a friend just when you were slipping into a blue funk.  Recollect on that perfect word from the pulpit at the exact time you needed guidance.  Maybe God has not blighted your enemy or led you with a pillar of fire, but He is just as present in our lives now as He was for the Israelites.  

He will not lead us into a wilderness and abandon us.  He will not guide us into a new job just so we can fail.  He will not convict us to give that little extra to missions only to see us miss a rent payment.  If He leads, He will provide.  Back to the Red Sea?  Just shut up and believe that God will make a way.