Tuesday, February 03, 2015

"Each One of Us" - 02/03/15 - Exodus 13-15

"Moses stretched his hand out over the sea: As the day broke and the Egyptians were running, the sea returned to its place as before. God dumped the Egyptians in the middle of the sea. The waters returned, drowning the chariots and riders of Pharaoh’s army that had chased after Israel into the sea. Not one of them survived." (14:27-28)



There was a party going on with the Israelites after they made it through the Red Sea.  After they walked through on dry land, walls of water on both sides, 600,000 men on foot besides women and children (Exodus 12:37), they turned and saw the Egyptians - dead - washed up on the shore. 

All of them were dead.  No survivors.

And the party began.

The Israelites were in awe of God.  Raising their voices up in a song of praise.  Moving their feet and bodies in a dance of worship. 

And what about God. 
 
"Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness" (Genesis 1:26)

This didn't apply to just Adam and Eve. He made all of man "in Our image" - In His image.

We worship a God of love. 
A God that is pure and holy. 
A God that created each and every one of us. 

Including the Egyptians.

They were ones He desired to be called His own.  They too were created because He desired them to be with Him.  Eternally. 

God didn't create any of us - not one - to perish. 

But, because of free choice - many have and will. 

How many times do I get caught up in being a survivor and not remembering the lost? How often do I not see those who are out to sea, drowning?  And if I do see them - "desire" to help them to Him? How often do I look at the lost as not being in His image and write them off - dehumanize them...... 

I think about how God used the Egyptians for His glory and how that had to have ripped His heart out.  Knowing when they drowned, their last breath was also their last chance to turn to Him. 

It is because of how He has shared Himself with us through His Word I am able to picture how torn He was.  That He was rejoicing with the Israelites in their worship of Him. 

And at the same time - He wept over those that lay dead on the seashore.

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