What historical event is referenced in Psalm 66:6, and why is it significant? Setting the Scene “He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot; there we rejoiced in Him.” The Historical Moments Behind the Verse • Crossing the Red Sea – Exodus 14:21-22 • Crossing the Jordan River – Joshua 3:14-17; 4:22-24 The psalmist links both miracles in one sweeping sentence: • “the sea” points to the Red Sea, where Israel walked out of bondage. • “the river” points to the Jordan, where Israel walked into promise. Why These Events Are So Significant • Proof of God’s Sovereign Power – Nature itself obeys Him (Exodus 14:21; Joshua 3:16). • Deliverance from Slavery – Red Sea: from Egypt’s chains into freedom (Exodus 14:30-31). • Entrance into Covenant Inheritance – Jordan: from wilderness wandering into the land God pledged to Abraham (Genesis 15:18-21). • Validation of God’s Faithfulness – What He promises, He performs (Numbers 23:19). • Foreshadowing Salvation in Christ – Passing through water prefigures rescue from sin and identification with Christ’s death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 10:1-2; Romans 6:4). • Call to Worship and Worldwide Witness – “there we rejoiced in Him” signals that redeemed people respond with praise (Psalm 66:6-7; Psalm 105:1-2). – The memory of these crossings fuels testimony “so that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD” (Joshua 4:24). Key Takeaways for Today • God still makes a way where there seems to be no way. • Our past deliverances are meant to ignite present worship. • Remembering God’s historic faithfulness strengthens faith for current challenges. • Just as Israel physically walked between walls of water, believers spiritually cross from death to life through Christ (John 5:24). |
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