I'm pretty sure everyone on earth knows the story of Exodus 14...
Even the most die hard unbeliever and atheist will know about the 'red sea crossing'. And if you are still in the dark, this was when God reminded the Israelites exactly who He was...
This is the chapter that we focus on in today's #bible911 blog series and it has to do with 'lack of faith'.
Obviously, chapter 14 of Exodus is more than we can go over verse by verse for this blog. But I wanted to touch on some key points....
Mostly the big picture that I have struggled with when it comes to this story. And that's how Israel continued to sin and lose faith, after literally being witness to some of the greatest miracles in Scripture.
And yeah, I get it....As we have been grafted into the vine, we sin and lose faith just as much as the people we read about in history. However this just always hits me because....They SAW the red sea parted. Yet soon after, are complaining that they have been led to the wilderness to die. It just blows my mind.
Every time I think of this, I go right to the book of John...
More lack of faith was seen by Thomas as he claimed he wouldn't believe that Christ was alive until he could see him and touch Him. Jesus rebukes him and let's the world know....The ones that believe, without seeing are truly blessed.
But faith, what exactly is faith....Because maybe we should drive that point home to see what a lack of it truly it....And for that, the good ol' book of Hebrews we go:
Oh wow, doesn't this just hit?
Let's break this down and see how we can bring that right back to Exodus 14 and the story of the red sea crossing.
So what did Israel hope for?
They wanted to be free of the chains of bondage that they experienced in Egypt. They escaped and were led by Moses (along with God obviously) with the 'hope' of reaching the Promised land! But here's where I think maybe we can see where their faith started to dwindle....
Hebrews 11:1 talks then about the evidence of things....NOT seen. But Israel literally SAW the things and THE God that had promised them a bright future. Here's my thought about that....They got cocky!
Israel started expecting miracles. They started expecting comforts and a land flowing with milk and honey right away. Here is God, providing manna (they complained that they wanted meat instead), He also parts the red sea. Oh let's not forget the protection He provided for them throughout their journey, and the enemies they defeated because of Him.
But here they are.....Complaining. Murmuring.
A journey that should have taken a few weeks, ends up lasting over 40 years. Because of one reason, and one reason only....
Lack of faith!
I truly believe God provides and continues to protect us even when we might not 'see it' plainly. And faith is building up that muscle that accepts that His delays, are not His denials. Because the SUBSTANCE of what we hope for...Truly is worth the wait.
More leaning on God, less leaning on ourselves :)