(Exodus 14:19) The angel of God, who had been going before the camp of Israel...
His manifestation in this way fits with Jesus' personality traits. He has been referred to as shade (in the Old Testament), and is referred to many times as the Light.
(Isaiah 25:4) For You have been a defense for the helpless, A defense for the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; For the breath of the ruthless Is like a rain storm against a wall.
(john 8:12) Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
Back to the story. So the Isrealites willingly follow God up until this point. God has a plan! God even explains the plan to Moses! God leads them to a place where the Israelites will look lost, trapped and vulnerable to the Pharaoh. Pharaoh is going to send his armies after them. In this way, Pharaoh's armies will be destroyed. in this way, the world will hear about this and take notice.
The Israelites weren't chosen because they were "special"... God chooses them to be "missionaries" to the world - to be used in a mighty way - so that the world would get to know who God is - so they too could be blessed if they believed. Now - all the Israelites have to do is have faith and take a step forward. But they freak out, cry and complain... saying that they would have preferred to stay in Egypt and live as slaves.
(Exodus 14: 15-18) ...the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. 16 As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land. 17 As for Me, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. 18 Then the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord...
ALL the Israelites had to do was take a step forward. Trust and obey. Jesus was going to do the rest. He was going to part the sea. Dry the land so they could walk over. Cause the Egyptian army to be confused, and get stuck in the mud. Told Moses when he should stretch out his hand again. Then drowned the entire Egyptian army. The Isrealites just had to take the step, and Jesus "did it all".
(Exodus 14:30-31) Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 When Israel saw the great power which the Lord had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in His servant Moses.
.Yeah, we can look at the Isrealites and wonder... God had JUST performed miracles that demonstrated His great power back in Egypt - and as promised - delivered them out of slavery; but now when they arrive at the Red Sea - they have already forgotten God's power and promises.
But let's look at the "log in our own eyes". When God asks us to do something, how often do we chicken out, because we're only considering our own strength? What amazing things would God accomplish using us if we just had the faith to take that one step? Even if it sounds "crazy"?
(1 Corinthians 1:18-25) For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.”
And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.”
20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For indeed Jews ask for [p]signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
(2 Corinthians 12:9) And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast [c]about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
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