With an army on one side and a sea on the other, the Israelites were freaking out. Moses told them "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord."
The salvation and deliverance of God isn't the end of difficult times. If we're honest, we often expect it to be. In fact, now that we are free of our spiritual enemy, the Devil begins to attack us in different ways and greater earnest. Satan brings lies and chaos against us, and we respond in fear.
We fear for our lives and accuse God in the process. Reading through Scripture, this has happened to everyone who declares Yahweh to be their God.
But we must remember to trust in God. The same God who delivered us from our sin and hell is the same God who can deliver us now.
So, how do we see God offering deliverance after Moses tells the people, "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord"?
Where Does the Bible Say 'Stand Still and See the Salvation of the Lord'?
"Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord" can be found in Exodus 14:13-14. This passage is part of the narrative of the Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt and the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea.
Here is the full passage:
And Moses said to the people, "Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." (Exodus 14:13-14 ESV)
Moses led The Israelites out of Egypt following a series of plagues and confrontations with Pharaoh. Pharaoh had initially allowed them to leave, even forced them to leave due to the death of the firstborn of Egypt, but then he had a change of heart and pursued the Israelites with his army, seeking to bring them back into slavery.
As the Israelites reached the shores of the Red Sea, they found themselves trapped between the sea and Pharaoh's approaching army, leading to fear and panic among the people. In this dire situation, Moses delivers the message recorded in Exodus 14:13-14.
Moses begins by addressing the people's fear, encouraging them not to be afraid. This is a recurring theme in the Bible, where God often reassures His people not to fear in the face of adversity. God is a source of comfort and strength even in the most challenging circumstances.
Now that Moses has dealt with their fear, he instructs the Israelites to hold their ground and not give in to despair or panic. He calls for them to have faith and trust in God's deliverance. It's a reminder the best course of action is to remain steadfast in our trust in God. Always. Especially in difficult situations.
Humans have three responses to fear: flight, fight, or freeze. The Israelites couldn't fight the greatest army on earth. They couldn't flee because of the Red Sea. They were frozen with fear.
God gives them a fourth option through Moses. Stand firm in faith and see me fight for you. This is the power of faith. They will not need to fight the Egyptians themselves.
Finally, Moses ends his message by telling the people to be silent or still. Instead of complaining and accusing God that he had only led them out to the wilderness to die, Moses called them to trust in God and wait patiently for his deliverance.
What Does God Say After Moses Says, 'Stand Still and See the Salvation of the Lord'?
After Moses delivers the message, "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord," to the Israelites, God responds with further instructions and a miraculous event unfolding as part of the Red Sea crossing narrative.
The Lord said to Moses, "Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground." Exodus 14:15-16 (ESV)
God doesn't give greater instruction until he deals with the fear and complaining of the people. When Moses addresses their fear and calls them to faith, God speaks directly to Moses. He asks Moses, "Why do you cry to me?" This question may seem puzzling, as it appears to suggest that Moses is unnecessarily praying or crying out to God. However, it emphasizes that God has a plan in motion, and the time has come for action.
God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites to move forward. Now that they have been silent and held fast in faith, they can move forward into the miracle God had prepared. The Israelites are to step out in faith and proceed joureying toward the Promised Land. Faith often requires taking steps of obedience even when circumstances seem impossible.
God assigns Moses a significant role in the miraculous event that will unfold. Moses must lift his staff and stretch out his hand over the sea. These actions are to be accompanied by God's power, resulting in the division of the sea, creating a dry path for the Israelites to cross.
Following God's instructions, Moses lifts his staff and stretches his hand over the Red Sea. In response, God causes a powerful wind to blow, which divides the waters of the sea, forming walls of water on both sides and exposing a dry path in the middle. This miraculous event allowed the Israelites to cross the Red Sea safely.
What Happens to the Egyptians After Moses Says, 'Stand Still and See the Salvation of the Lord'?
Following Moses' message to "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord," Exodus 14:21-28 recounts a miraculous and important victory for the Israelites and a defeat of the mighty Egyptian Empire.
After the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, the Israelites crossed safely on dry ground with walls of water on both sides. However, the pursuing Egyptian army, including Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and horse riders, followed them into the midst of the sea. The Egyptians were determined to recapture the Israelites.
As the Egyptian forces entered the divided sea, the Lord intervened on behalf of the Israelites. He looked down on the Egyptian forces from the pillar of fire and cloud guiding the Israelites. The presence of God in the form of a pillar of fire and cloud caused panic among the Egyptians.
The Lord further hindered the Egyptian pursuit by clogging their chariot wheels, making them drive heavily. This slowed down their progress and added to their confusion.
Faced with the supernatural events and realizing that the Lord was fighting for the Israelites, the Egyptians acknowledged their dire situation. They recognized their efforts were in vain and decided to flee from the advancing Israelites.
At this critical moment, the Lord instructed Moses to stretch his hand over the sea again. As Moses obeyed, the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. The walls of water that had protected the Israelites now came crashing down upon the pursuing Egyptian army.
The waters of the Red Sea closed in on the Egyptians, covering their chariots, horse riders, and the entire host of Pharaoh. The entire Egyptian army that had entered the sea did not survive. Not one of them remained, and they were utterly defeated.
This event is a profound and miraculous demonstration of God's power and His commitment to deliver the Israelites from slavery. It showcases the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises and protecting His chosen people.
What Can We Learn from 'Stand Still and See the Salvation of the Lord' Today?
The instruction and teaching of Moses to "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord" from the biblical account of the Red Sea crossing in Exodus 14 offers several timeless lessons and principles relevant to us today.
- Faith in God's Timing. The instruction to "stand still" reminds us of moments when we must trust God's timing. Just as the Israelites had to wait for the right moment to cross the Red Sea, we, too, may encounter situations where patience and faith in God's timing are essential. Impatience and rushing ahead of God's plan can lead to unnecessary difficulties.
- God's Deliverance. Salvation ultimately comes from the Lord. In challenging circumstances, we are encouraged to rely on God's power and intervention rather than solely depending on our own efforts. This lesson reminds us that God is our deliverer in times of trouble, and we should seek His guidance and help.
- Stepping Out in Faith. While "stand still" implies waiting, it also implies a readiness to take action when God directs. Just as the Israelites had to step forward into the divided Red Sea once God initiated the miracle, we are called to step out in faith when God prompts us. Faith often involves taking obedient steps when the time is right.
- Trust in God's Guidance. The guidance (provided by the pillar of fire and cloud) represents God's guidance and presence in our lives. Today, we have the Holy Spirit as our guide. We should seek God's guidance through prayer, Scripture, and a close relationship with Him, trusting that He will lead us on the right path.
- Acknowledging God's Sovereignty. The events at the Red Sea teach us about the sovereignty of God. He can control natural elements and circumstances to accomplish His purposes. Recognizing God's sovereignty encourages us to trust Him even in seemingly impossible situations. He can make a way when there appears to be none.
- Overcoming Fear. The Israelites faced fear and uncertainty when they saw the pursuing Egyptian army, but Moses encouraged them not to fear. Today, we encounter various fears and challenges. This lesson reminds us to turn to God in times of fear and trust that He can provide comfort and courage to face our fears.
- Recognizing God's Miracles. The Red Sea crossing serves as a reminder that God is a miracle worker. While we may not experience the literal parting of seas, we can witness God's miracles in our lives—whether in answered prayers, changed circumstances, or transformed hearts. Being attentive to God's miraculous work increases our faith.
- Acknowledging Divine Intervention. The acknowledgment by the Egyptians that "the Lord fights for [the Israelites]" demonstrates the impact of God's intervention. Even the enemy recognizes the work of God on our behalf. Therefore, we aren't the ones who get the glory but God.
"Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord" reminds us to have faith in God's timing, trust in His deliverance, step out in faith when prompted, seek His guidance, acknowledge His sovereignty, overcome fear, and recognize His miracles. These timeless principles guide us in navigating life's challenges and growing our relationship with God today.
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This article is part of our larger resource library of popular Bible verse phrases and quotes. We want to provide easy to read articles that answer your questions about the meaning, origin, and history of specific verses within Scripture's context. It is our hope that these will help you better understand the meaning and purpose of God's Word in relation to your life today.
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