BETWEEN MIGDOL AND THE SEA!

BETWEEN MIGDOL AND THE SEA!

Ex 14:1-4

14:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baal-zephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea.

3 For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.

4 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so.

           Moses had intended to move his people by way of the wilderness but at Etham God commanded the Israelites to turn and move southward and encamp by the Red Sea. This was either the most inept military maneuver in history or it was the most ingenious entrapment. God had placed his people in an impossible situation. The Red Sea was in front of them, there were mountains on both sides and their enemies were behind in hot pursuit.

           A dilemma is defined as an undesirable or unpleasant choice. Try to visualize an estimated six million Jews encamped in a plain of about ten miles square with mountains (actually forts) on two sides and an impassable sea in front of them. Now try to visualize 600 chariots, each with a driver and a spearman. With them would be foot soldiers heavily armed. The Scriptures places them between Migdol and the sea. We might say they were between the Devil and the deep blue sea! The only escape was up!

What will you do when you find yourself in such a situation? Well here is a plan that is suggested by Moses.

1. Calm your fears! (v. 13)

2. Stand Still! When you can do nothing – that’s probably what should be done.

3. Wait expectantly upon God to make a move!

4. Take the next logical step! (v. 15)

Dear Lord, this day may present me with some unpleasant choices. Give me the courage and the wisdom to do the right thing while trusting in you. AMEN