As Pharaoh drew near, the Israelites looked back, and there were the Egyptians advancing on them. In great fear the Israelites cried out to the LORD.
They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us, bringing us out of Egypt?
Is this not the very thing we told you in Egypt, 'Let us alone and let us serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness."
But Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the LORD will accomplish 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 keep still."
Exodus 14:10-14
This is the Scripture from Exodus that follows the Passover story, and leads directly into God's gifting Moses the ability to part the Red Sea, ensuring the Israelites safety from the encroaching Egyptian army. Remember that God "passed-over" the homes of the Israelites who had prepared lamb just as directed, wiping blood on the frames of their doors while the unmarked doors were subject to the death of their young sons. God was faithful to His people, who had been enslaved and oppressed, offering them a chance at freedom.
In the above Scripture they have followed Moses into the wilderness, yet while looking back they recognize the Egyptian army (who was really mad now) coming after them. They don't stand a chance, or so it would seem. In fact they'd rather go back and live as slaves then to wander in the unknown of the wilderness.
Holy Saturday is what we call today, many faith traditions keep prayer vigil until the early hours of Easter. It is a day during which we pause and reflect, wondering at the tomb as did the followers of Jesus. They grieved. They wondered if what they had come to believe as Truth was really just a fallacy. Their foundations were rocked. They were in the wilderness.
We too know what the wilderness is like. Often we find ourselves there, wishing, hoping and praying for answers, for comfort, for good news. Often like the Israelites we would rather cling to the known, bad habits, destructive talk, that which draws us away from God. It is easier to go back, than to trust God to lead us forward into the unknown.
Tonight let us reflect on the last verse stated above:
The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to keep still."
What does it mean for you to know that even in the darkness of death the Lord will fight for you? Are there areas in your life right now for which God's call may be to "only keep still"?
As we draw near to our Easter celebrations, let us do our best to stay in the mystery of this day - waiting, watching, wondering.
Prayer: O God, in the darkness of the death of Christ you still speak to us. Help us to receive your word this night, show us how to draw close to you, to trust you even in the wilderness. Help us to give ourselves over to the your promise of faithfulness, though it is often so much easier to do things our way. And God, as we rest this night and wake in the morning, may our lips be filled with praise. Amen.
Amen.
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