Stretch Out Your Hand

I always assumed that the purpose of the Red Sea closing was to destroy the Israelites enemy. The Bible does say “Not one of them survived.” Exodus 14:28 That in itself is fairly amazing. It demonstrates God's power and protection.

Having had to leave behind a life style, dreams and even comfort for a move to the city recently, I've considered another possibility. That God , in His wisdom, wanted the Israelites to close the door.

At daybreak, the beginning of a new day, after all the Israelites had safely crossed the Red Sea, God speaks. “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back..” Exodus 14:26

Verse 27, “Moses stretched out his hand over the sea..”

Did you catch that?

Moses was given a choice. To turn around and close the door.

 Or not.

He closed the door.

He allowed the sea to go back in its place. Return to normal.

To cut off the escape--- backwards.

There was no going back. Only forward.

Stretching out his hand removed the temptation to return to Egypt. Prevented the Israelites from looking back. Wishing it could have been different. Wishing, somehow, that they could have stayed.

Behind them was bondage. Before them was freedom.

And God's gift.

“To give you a land flowing...” Exodus 13:5

A lavish gift. An abundant gift. From an abundant God.

Yes, God wanted to protect His people. But I believe He also wanted to pour out His abundance upon them.

But first, they had to be willing to close the door. On the past.

And stretch out a hand. To the future.