What does God's command to Moses in Exodus 14:15 reveal about divine timing? A Narrow Beach, a Rising Panic The Hebrews are hemmed in: Pharaoh’s chariots thunder behind, the Red Sea glitters ahead, and fear surges through the camp. Into that chaos comes one short, staggering sentence: “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to go forward.’” (Exodus 14:15) Divine Timing in a Single Command • God issues the order at the final possible moment, teaching that His timetable is precise—never random, never late (Psalm 31:15). • Deliverance begins while the obstacle still blocks the way; timing is coordinated with action, not with visible safety. • The shift from “crying out” to “go forward” shows that prayer and waiting are essential, but obedience has its own God-appointed moment (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Faith Steps Before Sight 1. Move first, miracle second. The sea did not part until Moses obeyed (v. 16). 2. Obedience in the dark exposes true trust (Habakkuk 2:3). 3. God’s pattern repeats: • Abraham left Ur without a map (Genesis 12:1). • Priests stepped into the Jordan before it receded (Joshua 3:15-16). • The lepers were cleansed “as they went” (Luke 17:14). Why God Waits Until the Brink • To magnify His glory—only He could open a sea (Exodus 14:31). • To wean His people from self-reliance (2 Corinthians 1:9). • To align events with larger redemptive purposes; He sent Messiah “when the fullness of time had come” (Galatians 4:4). From Panic to Purpose • Crying out is not rebuked; stagnation is. • Action grounded in divine promise turns crisis into testimony. • Forward motion under God’s directive becomes the conduit for supernatural help (Romans 5:6). Living the Principle Today • Trust that God’s schedule, though perplexing, is perfect (2 Peter 3:9). • Listen for the pivot: the moment prayer shifts to progress. • Step into obedience even when the waters haven’t yet parted. |
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