18 - The Eastern Shore

On the western shore of the Red Sea Israel could still be considered a band of runaway slaves. It’s true Egypt had “driven them out” to prevent any more plagues, but their army remained powerful enough to recapture their former slaves and bring them back to Egypt in chains. On that side of the sea, Israel’s freedom depended on Egypt’s good will, which of course didn’t last long. But on the eastern shore everything changed. Here Israel was at last totally free from their old bondage. With the dead bodies of their attackers washing up at their feet, the new nation stood looking out across an ocean they had just walked through and were filled with awe and faith. They were now a free people headed toward a beautiful land God had promised would be their home. As we read the account of the Exodus we discover God wants to teach us important lessons about the Christian life. The experiences of Israel illustrate many truths about how we are to walk with God. Today we’ll focus on the fact that in Christ we too stand on the eastern shore of the Red Sea. Like Israel we too are free from the powers that once held us in bondage (Eph 2:1–6). And we are also similar to Israel in that along with this new freedom have come new responsibilities.