God’s Instruction: Go Forward!

And the Lord said unto Moses, wherefore criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.—Exodus 14:15

By I. I. Margeson

The object of this study is to hold out, through the word of the Lord, encouragement to those who may be facing great difficulties and to bring to our attention afresh not only the interest God had in opening a way through the Red Sea for natural Israel, but also his willingness and ability to speak to us the words, "go forward" in all our "hemmed in" conditions.

We begin by examining the conditions in which the Israelites found themselves very soon after they began their journey out of Egypt. The Lord gave instruction unto Moses as to where they should encamp. Their encampment was to be in Pi-hahiroth facing the Red Sea. Here they were entirely shut in. The mountains were on the west and south. The sea was on the east and the war chariots of the well-appointed foe were advancing from the north. There was not the slightest prospect of ultimate escape for a fugitive people scantily furnished with means of defense. There was not the least human prospect of victory, deliverance, or flight. Under these conditions the people began to despair. No wonder they lost heart.

Moses alone kept his head and his heart; he did not see any human way of escape, but he did not fail in faith. He expected deliverance from Jehovah and it came. It was here clearly shown that the ways of God (though they may appear to be foolish by the wisdom of men) insure the results in the safest, quickest, and most glorious way. GO FORWARD.

The Name of Israel

These words were spoken to a peculiar people under peculiar conditions and circumstances—to the children of Israel. It is of special interest to note when and how this name was given to Jacob. It was given after a long struggle with an angel (Gen. 32:24-32). Though being mastered by the angel, yet he cries (no doubt through tears), "I will not let thee go unless thou bless me." Here we have the picture of a man mastered by God, hence the meaning of Israel "a people ruled, or mastered, by God."

Returning to our theme, we note Israel’s position at the sea. Under divine guidance we see them here after their escape from Egypt. No human way of escape is available, but divine love and wisdom open the way, and God’s instructions are: "go forward."

It seems evident today that the true child of God often finds himself hemmed in, scarcely knowing how to move. Courage, brother, sister, God has a faithful remnant who has not bowed the knee to Baal.

In the picture before us, there could be no going back for natural Israel. Such an experience introduces a new element into the impossible—no consent to compromise. There is always the temptation to go back in extreme trial; but there is no need to go back. The prize, the reward, the crown of life is only for the faithful overcomer, for those who will go forward.

Oh, that we might hear by the ear of faith God’s words as the children of Israel did when our way seems hedged in: go forward, then he will surely open a way for us. The Bible abounds in experiences of faithful ones trusting God and being protected and delivered by his mighty power and love.

In Exodus 14:13, 14, we see that Moses had bidden the people "stand still and see the salvation of God. Thus they should have been prepared for God’s order, "go forward." The evidence was that they could not go across the Red Sea if God did not open the way (they were a great multitude of people, numbering over two million). God must act for their deliverance, and he did open a way through the sea. Surely he is able to open a way for his spiritual children who have their Red Sea experiences. Why not look more directly to our God for wisdom and help in all our times of need? The good shepherd never fails to care for his sheep; and he says, "I know my sheep, and they follow me, and I will give them eternal life."

We ask ourselves: What is the present need of the church? We honestly ask this question and the answer comes from God’s word. As we turn to 2 Chronicles 7:12-14 we note these words: "If my people which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sins."

Here God makes a great promise to his people, "I will hear." I will send blessings if you meet my conditions.

Humility, the First Essential

The first condition is humility. We must have the spirit of humility as we come to the Lord. Evidently humility is essential to spiritual blessedness. A broken and contrite heart the Lord will surely receive.

We recall how the children of Israel were bitten by serpents during their wilderness journey. Thousands died from the bites, other thousands were made sick. God instructed Moses to raise up the brazen serpent, and those humble enough to look at it were healed. So we, who are willing to look to Christ, are healed from the curse of sin and death also. It is very necessary that we continue to "look to Jesus" until our course is finished in death.

In the early days of Israel’s warfare, when at times it seemed as if the army of the Philistines would destroy them, those who were obedient and continued to look faithfully to the Lord were always given help by him and provided with a way of escape and safety.

Turning Away from Doubt

The text says, "If my people will turn away from their doubt." We recognize that at the present time all of us need more faith and confidence in our God and to honestly endeavor to turn away from the spirit of the world, continually remembering the words of the Apostle: "If any man be in Christ Jesus he is a new creature, old things have passed away, and all things have become new" (2 Cor. 5:17).

"If my people will pray" surely the blessings will follow. Blessings surely come in answer to prayer. They come from God, through Christ. We feel that there is need for the joy of theLord to more fully fill our hearts. As it overflows, how sweet will be our Christian experience.

Do we not need more secret prayer with God? Jesus needed it and how rich were the blessings he received. More family prayer, more prayer meetings, and prayer in the office as opportunity offers will bring new and rich blessings into our lives. Then there is that silent prayer that God also hears and answers.

We hear not one word of Moses prayer at the Red Sea and yet the Lord asks why he cries unto him (v. 15). From this we learn that the heart of Moses was deeply engaged with God, though he did not articulate one word. God understood and took note of his heart language. Moses’ silent pray-ers of faith prevailed more with God than did Israel’s loud outcries of fears (v. 10).

Moses had bidden the people "stand still," and he expected orders from God. Now orders are given. They thought they would be directed either to the right hand or to the left. "No," God says, "speak to them to go forward, directly to the seaside," as if there had lain in wait for them a fleet of transport ships ready for them to embark.

So, dear friends, when we are in the way of our duties, though we meet with difficulties, we must go forward. We must mind present work, use our means, and trust God with the issue.

There was no occasion to cry to the Lord for he had already manifested so decidedly that he was determined to deliver his people that neither they nor Moses ought to have had a doubt about it. This was no time for delay. There was something else to be done instantly; it was the time for them to act.

"Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward." In the most difficult and appalling circumstances the command is often to be heard by us—"go forward." Though there may be mountains of opposition or seas of danger in the path of duty, yet the word is "go forward." Faith has its most perfect work in the hour of darkness. Follow its guidance and "a way shall be made in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters."

When God leads us into danger he will take us safely through. Had the Israelites gone of their own accord to encamp at Pi-hahiroth they would have had no claim to divine protection; but because God had taken them there, he stood near to help them. It makes all the difference in the world when we are in danger whether we are there for our own pleasure and of our own choosing or on the business and at the bidding of the Lord.

In the former case we have no warrant for his protection, in the latter we may be sure that he will put himself between us and the peril and make himself our shield. This principle is far reaching and may be applied by us to our business and, indeed, every department of life. To go into danger thoughtlessly is rashness, to go into it wantonly is foolhardy, but to go into it because only thereby can we follow our Master and do what he commands is true courage; and at such times we shall always find him at our side.

Pharaoh tried to cross the sea without warrant and he was drowned; the Hebrews followed their God and went over on dry ground. Faith is one thing, presumption another. To expect that God will keep us, no matter that we go recklessly into danger, is presumption. To go through that danger in his service is courage.

We feel that we can pass along this message that God gave to his ancient people, that we can encourage one another to go forward in faith and holiness, in activity and zeal. Go forward in brotherly kindness and charity, in devotion and self-denial. Go forward in true self-knowledge which destroys confidence in the flesh. Go forward in the courage which waxes strong in Christ Jesus. Go forward in the humility which, conscious of unworthiness, is still strong-hearted and hopeful and seeks those things above. Go forward in that seriousness which takes the view of trust in life and also has joy and consolation. Go forward, for the guiding pillar is before. Go forward for the fore-runner has passed ahead; they are the happiest Christians who can so far overtake as to pursue their course, "looking unto Jesus." Go forward from "strength to strength." Their burdens are the lightest and their difficulties the fewest who, "forgetting those things that are behind," evermore "press forward"—forward on the way where the guiding pillar precedes "to the prize of our high calling," even the place which Christ has prepared.