What other biblical events show God breaking through obstacles for His people? David’s Breakthrough at Baal-perazim 2 Samuel 5:20 — “So David went to Baal-perazim and defeated them there, and he said, ‘Like a bursting flood, the LORD has burst out against my enemies before me.’ Therefore he named that place Baal-perazim.” • David faced a fortified Philistine onslaught. • God “burst out” as suddenly and powerfully as floodwaters, scattering every obstacle. • This moment sets the tone: whenever God’s people meet an impasse, He can break through. Red Sea: Barriers Become a Highway Exodus 14:21 — “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind all night and turned it into dry land, so that the waters were divided.” • An uncrossable sea in front, Pharaoh’s army behind. • God made a path through the depths and drowned the pursuers—deliverance and judgment in one act. Jordan River: Flood Stage, Yet Dry Ground Joshua 3:15-16 — “Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water flowing downstream stood still … and the people crossed over on dry ground.” • The swollen river was Israel’s last obstacle before the Promised Land. • God repeated the Red Sea miracle, reminding a new generation of His unstoppable power. Jericho: Impregnable Walls Collapse Joshua 6:20 — “When the rams’ horns sounded, the people shouted, and … the wall fell flat; so every man charged straight ahead, and they captured the city.” • No siege engines, only worship and obedience. • God toppled stone barriers that human strength could never breach. Gideon’s Three Hundred vs. Midian’s Multitude Judges 7:20-22 — “The three companies blew their trumpets and smashed the jars … The LORD set the swords of all the men in the camp against each other.” • Israel was outnumbered 450-to-1. • God reduced Gideon’s army to show He alone wins the battle. Mount Carmel: Fire Falls on a Soaked Altar 1 Kings 18:38-39 — “Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water in the trench.” • Elijah faced spiritual opposition and national apostasy. • God burned away doubt and Baal worship in a single blaze. Jehoshaphat: Worship Leads the Charge 2 Chronicles 20:22 — “As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir … and they were defeated.” • Choirs marched before soldiers. • God turned enemies on each other, proving the power of praise. Hezekiah: One Angel vs. 185,000 Assyrians 2 Kings 19:35 — “That night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians.” • Jerusalem was surrounded by the world’s mightiest army. • God removed the threat overnight without Judah lifting a sword. Daniel: Lions Muzzled, Faith Vindicated Daniel 6:22 — “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me.” • A den meant for execution became a testimony chamber. • The living God overruled royal edict and predator instinct alike. Peter: Prison Doors Open Themselves Acts 12:7-10 — “…the chains fell off his wrists… the iron gate leading into the city opened by itself, and they went out.” • Herod’s maximum-security plans crumbled under angelic escort. • God advanced the gospel by breaking physical and political locks. The Supreme Breakthrough: An Empty Tomb Matthew 28:2, 6 — “There was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and rolled back the stone… ‘He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.’ ” • Sin, death, and the grave formed humanity’s ultimate barrier. • Jesus’ resurrection shattered it forever, making every other breakthrough possible. Takeaway Threads • God breaks through natural forces (sea, river, earthquake), human defenses (walls, armies, prisons), and spiritual darkness (idolatry, death itself). • Obedience, faith, and worship consistently pave the way for His intervention. • The same God who burst out at Baal-perazim still “bursts out” for those who trust Him today. |
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