And The Waters Were Divided

"Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the

Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided."

Exodus 14:21

As you continue to read and explore Biblical scripture and stories through the new lens that "water" represents "chaos," I hope that you are starting to view many of the stories you once knew with a new perspective. He comes to remove the chaos and make a way for you. He comes to divide the chaos and make a path that is dry for you. He comes to remove the challenges that separate you from His plan for you. And He does this for you.

In Exodus, you read that God comes to take His people Israel out of the land of Egypt, and thus begins the journey to His promised land. But this journey did not come without trials. It did not come without tribulations. It did not come without disappointment. He demanded that Pharaoh let His people go, and Pharaoh did not comply. Then begins the exiting of His people through various signs and wonders. All of this can be found in Exodus.

What I hope to draw your attention to is the Red Sea. It is here that you can start viewing this story from the new lens that "water" is representing chaos. What comes to mind is not only the challenge that the Red Sea is, a barrier to the continued path towards His promised land, but it also represents a blockade to what is following them, the Egyptians. Here His people are between two challenges—the Red Sea and the Egyptians.

Depression and anxiety might at times feel like a challenge. They might be on the bookends of what is going on in your life. Sometimes you are sitting between two experiences of depression and anxiety, one behind you and one in front of you. He does not prevent His people Israel from experiencing the hardships of the Egyptians chasing them, and He does not give them a path around the Red Sea. In Exodus 13:18, you read: So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle. He brings them face to face with these two challenges, and then He provides a way. He makes a way. He divides the chaos, and not only does He divide it, He makes the ground they walk on DRY (Exodus 14:16). Yes, you read that correctly, in the instance that He divides the Red Sea, He does not leave it soggy, He does not (in my opinion) leave fish or other obstacles in the path, He completely clears the challenge. He does this in your life when faced with depression and anxiety. He did this for the Israelites, and He does it now, for you. As you read a little further, notice how He shows up for the Israelites. Exodus 14:19-20 reads: Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. He was before them, and then He goes between them and Egypt. He positions Himself in favor of them, and He does this for you.

Exodus 14:21-22 reads: Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. "The waters were divided," He made a way for His people. He cleared the challenges. He did this to prove that He is Lord, and He did this to protect His people. He then continues to display His love for His people by having Moses respond: Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea (Exodus 14:27). He returned the water to its place in the sea, but not before making sure that His people were on the safe side of the water.

Scripture:

Exodus 13:18

So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.

Exodus 14:16

Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.

Exodus 14:19-20

Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel

Exodus 14:27

Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea

Exodus 14:21-22

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left

Reflection:

I encourage you to read about the events prior to the dividing of the Red Sea. I encourage you to read about the Exodus and the attempts that God made to free His people.

What does it mean to you that He can part a way through the chaos?

What does it mean to you that He returned the water back to its place?

What stood out the most about this water story?

How do your depression and anxiety (or the experiences you see others go through) mirror this lens of water, which is sometimes referred to as chaos?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I ask that you come to those who are faced with the Red Sea in their lives. I pray for those who are struggling, and I pray that they can seek you as the Israelites sought you and experience a divide that you might have in their life. Depression and anxiety are challenges that so many face, and I know that they do not face them alone. As you positioned yourself between your people and the Egyptians, I know that you position yourself between your people and depression and anxiety. I pray that dry land and seas divided can come to all those who seek it. In your Son's name, and the grace you extend. Amen!