What lessons can we learn from God's actions in Deuteronomy 11:4? Verse Text “what He did to Egypt’s army, to its horses and chariots, how He made the water of the Red Sea engulf them while they pursued you, and how the LORD has destroyed them to this day.” (Deuteronomy 11:4) Setting the Scene • Moses is urging the second generation of Israelites to remember firsthand events that proved God’s power. • The reference reaches back to Exodus 14, when Pharaoh’s forces were swallowed by the Red Sea after Israel crossed on dry ground. • This single verse is a reminder of a larger narrative: deliverance for the obedient and judgment for the oppressor. Key Observations • God’s direct intervention – “He made the water…engulf them.” Creation obeys its Creator (cf. Psalm 114:3-8). • Total, lasting judgment – the army was “destroyed…to this day.” God’s verdict is final (cf. Exodus 15:9-12). • Protection of covenant people – Israel passed safely; Egypt perished. The distinction is covenantal, not accidental. • Historical memory – Moses appeals to eyewitness recollection; divine acts are meant to be remembered and retold (Joshua 4:6-7). Lessons for Today • God fights for His people – When opposition seems overwhelming, the Lord can overturn the strongest human force (Exodus 14:13-14). • God commands every element of nature – The same sea that opened to save Israel closed to judge Egypt (Job 38:8-11). • Judgment and mercy run side by side – Mercy to the faithful, judgment to the defiant (Romans 11:22). • Remembering fuels obedience – Recalling past deliverance encourages current faithfulness (Deuteronomy 7:17-19). • God’s victories are permanent – “Destroyed…to this day” shows His works endure beyond a single generation (Psalm 135:8-13). Supporting Scriptures • Exodus 14:26-28 – details of the Red Sea collapse. • Psalm 106:10-12 – praise for deliverance from Egypt. • Isaiah 43:16-17 – God reminds Israel of the chariots and horses He drowned. • Hebrews 10:31 – “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God,” echoing Egypt’s fate. Taking It to Heart God’s decisive action in Deuteronomy 11:4 calls believers to trust His power, remember His past interventions, walk in covenant obedience, and rest in the assurance that no enemy can stand when He chooses to defend His people. |
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