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Victory then Desert

How many times have you watched Charlton Hest... er Moses part the Red Sea in the movie The Ten Commandments? When I was a kid I was amazed at the special effects. As I grew older I was disgusted by all of the stupid dialog. I haven’t seen that film in years. However, I just finished reading the on the set account this evening in the book of Exodus chapter 14 and 15.

Something hit me this reading. The sea closed over the enemy. There were dead on the shore. There was an on the spot original score written by Moses and recorded in Scripture. There was a dance lead by Miriam of all people. She must have been ninety at the time. Everyone was happy. The big bad Egyptian army was no more. Victory was won!

Then the phrase that caught my attention in Exodus 15. 22 where text says, “Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur.

CUT! That can’t be right. We need to do that over again.

Fresh from one of the greatest displays of God’s might since Creation. One of the most fantastic victories in History. A marvelous show of raw power. Then... into the desert?

Why didn't God use his super powers and make a Star Trek like portal that whisked the COI into the Promised Land? Do you know how far it is from where they crossed the Red Sea to Jerusalem? Two hundred miles! Why did they have to go the LONG route to Sinai, deep into a desert of which all over twenty would never leave.

It was part of another promise. God had told Moses that he would return to Sinai, where the bush burned, to worship (Exodus 3.12). In fact that verse is the key to this puzzling scene of, Victory then Desert. Look at what God said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” This mountain was Sinai.

The trip would be the proof that it was God who had been with him. Two million people going to Mount Sinai to worship would prove to Moses that the God of the bush was the God of the Universe. It would be there that Moses would also begin his monumental authorial work called, “The Law”. That Law would include a short work of fifty chapters that would recount the story of Creation to coffin. Or Creation to the death of Joseph.

During their ten month stay the Jewish slaves would learn much about their Redeemer God Jehovah. After victory came the desert. But it was in that desert that they were defined as a nation. In the desert they learned to trust God for daily provision, protection and they learned about proper Praise.

Deserts can be good. They lend to dependance on God for provision, for protection and they often define our praise. Rarely do we want to live in a desert but God works there. Do you find yourself in a desert now? Trust him for provision, protection and learn praise. You will be able to sing a victory song afterward!
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