Go Forward
We love to quote the inspirational cry of Moses in Exodus 14:13-14 which is awesome! Moses says, “Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD!” But suddenly, in verse 15, God says, “Why are you crying to Me? Go forward!“
And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: – Exo 14:15 KJV
Be Still or Go Forward? Both!
Psalm 46:10 starts with, “Be still and know that I am God!” Psalm 46 explains that God is our refuge, and we can always be confident in Him.
So why did God rebuke Moses after such an awesome exhortation?
God had told Moses in Exodus 14:1-2 to just stop and take a break. He told him to camp out and wait for the enemy to get close.
But that was yesterday! Go forward.
That was the day before Moses told them to stand still. They had already camped for the night. The enemy was near now.
That was a great speech Moses, but today, tell them to go forward!
Was God Mad?
No! Everything is a growing process. God is not mad at you either! And He is definitely NOT punishing you.
In Exodus 14:19-20, we see that God did exactly what He was intending to do when He told the children of Israel to camp out for the night. The angel of God separated the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel all night. That’s awesome! It was a cloud and darkness to the Egyptian camp but gave light to the camp of Israel.
Why did God rebuke Moses for the children of Israel crying out to God?
Hindsight is Twenty-Twenty!
God told Moses exactly why He wanted them to be still for the night and exactly what Pharoah was going to do. God has already told us everything our enemy is going to do too. We never have to be lost, wondering, or wandering again!
Why God?
Moses didn’t even have to ask that question. God explained to Moses in Exodus 14:3-4 exactly what was about to happen and why. He also told Moses to tell the children of Israel (Exodus 14:2) so that they could also know before it happened.
Did Moses Tell?
I don’t see it recorded where Moses told the children of Israel!
At the end of Exodus 14:4, we are told, “And they did so.” Did what? Exactly what Moses told them that God said to do.
I don’t think that the children of Israel would have been “sore afraid” and cried out to the Lord as we read in Exodus 14:10-11 if Moses would have told them everything God said to tell them.
Are You Afraid to go forward?
Fear is crippling!
God is always instructing us (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The question is never, “Why isn’t God speaking!”
What?
That’s right! God always tells us
- Who?
- What?
- Where?
- When?
- Why?
- And How?
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: – Jhn 10:27 KJV
Are You Listening?
In Exodus 14, we have an example of God speaking and Moses somewhat obeying.
God is always talking. He is never silent as some say and think.
Hearing God takes intention and practice. Doctors practice medicine. Attorneys practice law. Christians practice hearing God for themselves. We should all give ourselves grace and patience to learn to hear God.
The more you practice hearing God, the more you will want to go forward!