Insurmountable Problems...by Susan Paradise

I absolutely love to read the Bible and suddenly have something "new" leap out and hit me in the face. Such was the case recently with the parting of the Red Sea. Behind the Israelites was the advancing Egyptian army, but before them, the Red Sea. What an insurmountable problem!

I had read the story many times, heard it in sermons many times, and even seen The Ten Commandments with Charlton Heston many times. But never had I been made aware of two other extraordinary happenings in the story.

Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel's army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long. Exodus 14:19-20, NIV

Many scholars believe whenever the Bible speaks of "the angel of God", it is referring to the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ. So, pre-incarnate Jesus Christ was there with them! First traveling in front of Israel's army, and then moving behind them. How cool is that?!

The Way was making the way for His people to follow, and The Shepherd was herding them along that way. And all approximately 1,500 years before His birth!

Additionally, the pillar of cloud that God indwelt also moved from in front and stood behind them. But get this - the side of the cloud facing the Israelites brought light to show them the way, while the side facing the Egyptians brought darkness to confuse them so they could not get near the Israelites. How like God to be so clever!

Yes, the parting of the Red Sea showed His mighty power, but I love to read about His cleverness, too.  (Don't even get me started on Balaam and his donkey!)

Right in the middle of the famous Old Testament story of the parting of the Red Sea, we discover New Testament lessons: If we will only trust Jesus, He will make the way. He will guide us along the way. He will light the way as we go. And He will confuse satan who seeks to stop us on the way.