[Feature Story] The Exodus, Journey towards the Land of Canaan
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February 05, 2012 |
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We can examine our Christian lives through the Israelites' history of conquering the land of Canaan. In the last edition of the paper we delved into the reasons we have to study the history of conquering the land of Canaan. We looked at God's providence in establishing the Israelites as the model for human cultivation and the calling of Moses as the leader of the Exodus.
In this edition, we will look into how they crossed the Red Sea and the meanings in the Ten Commandments given by God and the laws and statutes.
1. After the plague of the death of the firstborn, the Pharaoh allowed the Israelites to depart from Egypt
The Israelites' cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God as written in Exodus 2:23. God called Moses as the leader of the Exodus and told him to deliver the Word of God to the Pharaoh. He stood before the Pharaoh with Aaron, his prophet and brother and delivered the will of God. But the Pharaoh with a hardened heart didn't listen to him.
Then, God inflicted the Ten Plagues one by one until the Pharaoh set the sons of Israel free from their bondage. But he didn't change his mind even after seeing the plagues. While all people of Egypt suffered from the plagues, none of the plagues came upon the Israelites in Goshen at all.
The Pharaoh finally told the Israelites to leave Egypt after all the firstborn of Egypt, including the firstborn of livestock, died of the tenth and last plague. (Exodus 12:31-32) Now the sons of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot. The number might have been as many as two million in total if children, the elderly, and women had been included. They eventually started the journey for the Promised Land, the land of Canaan.
2. The Israelites crossed the Red Sea with Moses
Not long after the Israelites departed from Egypt, the Pharaoh's heart was hardened again and he chased after them with all his chariots. In front of the Israelites was the Red Sea and behind them was the Egyptian army. At that time, they complained and grumbled against Moses. They still did not believe in God who had protected them during the Ten Plagues.
God didn't reprimand them for their small faith, but He rather manifested great power through Moses. There was the cloud along with the darkness, yet it gave light at night between the camp of Egyptians and the camp of Israelites. Thus the army of Egypt did not come near the Israelites all night. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land, so the waters were divided. The sons of Israel went through the midst of the sea on the dry land, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
By the time all the Israelites finished crossing the Red Sea, all the Pharaoh's army went in after them into the midst of the sea. But when Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, the sea returned to its normal state and all the Egyptian army died under the waters. (Exodus chapter 14)
3. God gave the Ten Commandments and statutes on Mount Sinai
The Israelites lived under bondage for a long time so there was no law and order for them. God led them to Mount Sinai to make a covenant with them and give the Law in a bid to set criteria to solve many problems among people. After He consecrated them, He gave Moses the Ten Commandments inscribed on two tablets of stone. And He also taught them statutes in detail.
God didn't force them to keep the commandments, but He rather let them believe and obey by His manifestation of countless powerful works. The Ten Commandments were the strict criteria that would show whether they were men of God or not. Today the commandments are still extremely important standards of the will of God whether or not salvation is received. (Matthew 7:21)
He also taught them how to make the tabernacle in Exodus chapters 26 and 27. The tabernacle was the tent where God came, so it was the same with today's churches. Since He knew men's hearts that want to confirm something with their own eyes, He let them feel God's existence and His glory that remained in it. The tabernacle was also used as a place to give sin offering for having violated the detailed statutes.
During the journey towards the Canaan, the 'land flowing with milk and honey', the Israelites saw innumerable signs and wonders. But they kept complaining and grumbling against God and Moses. But God endured again and again and showed countless powerful works so that they could increase their faith. This is because God wanted them to obey Him from the bottom of their hearts after seeing and experiencing the power of Almighty God.
Why didn't God lead them by the way through the land of the Philistines?
The fastest way from Egypt in Northeastern area of Africa to Canaan is to march northeasterly by way of the Mediterranean Sea, pass through Gaza area and through the land of the Philistines. But if they had taken that way, they would have been faced with wars. If the Israelites, who had such small faith, had seen war they might have changed their minds and returned to Egypt. (Exodus 13:17) That's why God had them detour crossing the Red Sea and marching in the wilderness although there was easier ways to go to the Land of Canaan.
How could they walk in the midst of strong wind that was enough to part the Red Sea?
It was possible to divide the waters of the sea and make it like a wall on right and left only if an extremely strong wind existed. At that time God placed the Israelites, who followed Moses with trust in him, into the spiritual world for a while to let them walk freely in such a strong wind. It's easy to understand if you imagine a transparent glass-like tunnel between the parted sea waters.
 You shall have no other gods before Me.
You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them.
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD.
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not covet your neighbor's house.
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