20 July 2021

Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Israel saw the great work that the Lord did against the Egyptians. So the people feared the Lord and believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.

Exodus 14:21-15:1, NRSV

Much ink has been used in discussion of how and where the miraculous deliverance of the Israelites from the Red Sea and the destruction of the Egyptian army took place. Perhaps the “how” of what happened, dramatic as it is, is less important than why. This was not the first time that God had intervened to deliver his oppressed people. God brought about deliverance from the Great Flood, from famine, from slavery and from exile. It is not surprising then that God would intervene again to allow the Israelites to break free from their oppressors. Prior to this great event, the people had complained against Moses but after it their faith in Moses and in God was strengthened for a time.

• • How do you suppose the Israelites felt when they realised that their oppressors were vanquished?
  • What is your experience of God’s presence at times when you have been oppressed?

Pray for those today who face threats to their lives and livelihoods – perhaps especially the people of Germany and Belgium affected by this week’s disastrous floods.