Day 17: Exodus 13-16

Summaries:
The Israelites are told that they are to celebrate the Passover feast every year in that month, and all the first-borns are to be consecrated (13). They travel through the desert toward the Red Sea, and God open the sea for them to cross, but the Egyptians chasing after them get devoured by the sea and die (14). The Israelites sing a song of praise (15). The Israelites complained a lot as they traaveled, but God provided quial to eat and manna (bread from Heaven) which was to be collected every day except not on the sabbath. They ate the manna for 40 years (16).

Reflections:
Just reflecting on Pharaoh and how he continually agreed to let the Israelites go but then changed his mind, I was reminded of how many many people, in the sight of tragedy or loss, or great trails, find themselves turning to God for answers, but then once the trial is over or the grieving has passed, God is left out of their lives. They are never fully convinced of God's love, but are merely looking for comfort. While finding comfort in God during tough times is certainly good and can lead to great conversion, it too often never gets past comfort. There is a need for deep real conversion, such as how the Israelites beheld the great power of the Lord and fear him and believe in him.

I was also very interested in the language that God uses as he talks to Moses about what will happen to the Egyptians. Ex 14:18 says "The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I receive glory through Pharaoh and his chariots and charioteers." What does God mean by "receive glory"? They are killed by the crashing waves of the Red Sea. It makes me wonder, is this more about God's battle versus Satan and evil, and destroying those who are overtaken by evil? Is there an inner conversion at the moment before death in the Egyptians as they see the waves approaching and realize that the Lord is God and they have made a mistake? Do these waves cleanse them of their sins just before death so they can eventually be with God in Heaven? I don't know. I'll have to spend more time thinking about this one.

I have many thoughts on Manna, but I'll have to post them another time.

Quotes:
Exodus 15:13 - "In your mercy you led the people you redeemed; in your strength you guided them to your holy dwelling."