We were in Sunday School class yesterday and looking at the passage in Exodus where Moses and the Israelites were being chased by Pharoah’s best charioteers. Things were looking pretty dire for this young nation, possibly a nation that may only exist for a few weeks! Not only was the previous master coming to get his slaves, Moses had guided them right into the middle of the shores of the Red Sea.

This has got to be a mistake! How could you Moses? Can’t you read a map, or don’t you know what you are doing? Moses – this is the worst! Can you hear those Israelites talking bout their graves even as we read this passage in Exodus

Exodus 14:11 They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt?
Exodus 14:12 Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

These folk were not remembering what God, through Moses, had accomplished a few weeks ago. I’m fairly certain they never really captured the idea of God working in their midst! They were so smart, reminding Moses of just leaving well enough alone. It was obvious to all that this decision of Moses was foolish. You are so wrong in your leadership and decision making skills!

Finally Moses addressed the people. Now remember, there may have been upwards of 2 million people being led by Moses at this time, and Moses was not a public speaker – at least in the past he claimed to be!

Nevertheless, he was between a rock and a hard place. (Actually an army and a sea, but you get my point.) Everything the camp of Israel had said had a hint of truth in it, and the deliverance Moses had promised seemed to be very short-lived. It was only a matter of time before the Israelites would be taken back to Israel, if any survived!

Yet, Moses spoke some mighty famous words at this critical time.

Exodus 14:13 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.
Exodus 14:14 The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

Moses told the Israelites to stand firm. Some translations speak of standing still (KJV, NLT) , or standing by (LSB, NASB). It seems Moses was telling the people to stop moving. What a necessary direction when we are under pressure or not able to think, but simply reacting to a situation.

Fear not, stand firm, see the salvation of the Lord. A very common refrain through the Word, where the people of God are directed to stand firm.

2 Chronicles 20:17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD …”

Isaiah 46:8 “Remember this and stand firm…

Daniel 11:32 He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.

1 Corinthians 16:13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Ephesians 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

2 Thessalonians 2:15 So then, brothers, stand firm …

1 Peter 5:12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.

What I am about to suggest is that though Moses made this claim of God, that is to stand firm, it may not have captured everything God wanted the Israelites to know. Moses spoke for God in his direction to the people of Israel, a truth that is often repeated for the saints through the ages, and yet in the very next verse, God directs Moses to get those Israelites to go forward.

Exodus 14:15 The LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward.
Exodus 14:16 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.

Was Moses incorrect in his direction to the Israelites? Did he represent God incorrectly? Yes and no.

Yes, in that it seems God corrected Moses right after this direction was given to the Israelites. The Lord did question Moses regarding his directing the Israelites to stand by! As a side bar, is it not good to see the Lord’s mercy in that He spoke to Moses only in correcting him. He protects his prophets and priests, teaching them as they grow.

Did Moses represent God incorrectly? Not exactly, for though our (and the Israelites) impression of Moses command to stand firm seems to imply inactivity, God did not necessarily change the command, but gave additional direction for Moses and direction for the nation to move forward. There was a time of “standing by”, but in relation to physically standing by, it was relatively short lived.

Notice that in Exodus 14:15-16 speaks of the nation going forward, and going through.

Exodus 14:15 …..Tell the people of Israel to go forward.
Exodus 14:16 …..that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground.

This concept is echoed as a few of the verses above.

Daniel 11:32 He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.

The passage spoke to me of a misconception I had, as I think of the commands of God referring to standing firm.

To stand firm is not a call to stand still, but to go forward in faith, standing firm in my heart and mind as my legs move this old body to it’s next assignment.

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