The Vision of a High Hand

Exodus 14

And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand.

The passage before us today tells the story of Israel's escape from Egypt through the Red Sea. It is clear to me that this details a mighty God in the midst of an impossible situation. Through a series of plagues, Pharaoh finally came to decide to let the people of Israel go out of Egypt. After the people traveled some away from Egypt, being led by God the whole time, they eventually came and camped by the Red Sea. God hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he pursued the people with his army in order to recapture them as slaves. When the people saw the Egyptian army approaching, they were afraid. They saw the impossibility in the situation: the army was coming and they were trapped by the sea. But it wasn't long before that vision of impossibility would be replaced by a vision of a mighty God: the vision of a high hand. “And Moses said to the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.'” (14:13) God's hand went up in the air, and He made things happen. He showed His strength. He had power over everybody, and over everything. In everything that happened, the people saw the greatness of God, and His ability in the midst of an impossible situation.

In verse 8, we read that the children of Israel went out with an high hand. In other versions, this reads as “boldness.” In verses 21 and 27, we read that Moses stretched out his hand over the sea to split the water so that they could escape, and again, to close the water over the Egyptian army after the Israelites were safe. You read of the people's high hand and of Moses' high hand, but where, you may ask, is the reference to God's high hand? You see, God's high hand is all through this story. In everything that happens, we see the greatness of our God. When Moses lifted his hands to open and close the waters, the people saw the strength and ability of God's high hand: God was using Moses to accomplish a great salvation. “So the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Thus Israel saw the great work which the Lord had done in Egypt; so the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord and His servant Moses.” (14:30-31) The people went out with a high hand, but only because they knew the greatness of their God. God was leading the way and showing which steps to take. The people saw the wondrous works of God's high hand and feared Him and followed in obedience. We need to be awed by the high hand of God, and then (and only then) we can raise our high hand and go out in boldness. And we need to follow God. Otherwise, it is disobedience, which is just rebellion. You will see the high hand of God in impossible times (and joyous times, too). Will you go out with a high hand, or raise your fists in rebellion?

~ Joel Warren