What do you do when God tells you to move forward before you can fully see the way ahead?
Key Verse:
“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward.’” —Exodus 14:15 NASB
Background Context:
In Exodus 14:1–14, Israel found itself trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s approaching army. Fear spread quickly among the people, but Moses called them to stand firm and trust God’s salvation.
Now in Exodus 14:15–31, God acts powerfully to make a way where none seemed possible. Israel moves forward through the sea while God defeats the Egyptian army behind them.
(Continued and expanded after scripture.)
15Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. 16“As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land. 17“As for Me, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. 18“Then the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD, when I am honored through Pharaoh, through his chariots and his horsemen.”
19The angel of God, who had been going before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them. 20So it came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel; and there was the cloud along with the darkness, yet it gave light at night. Thus the one did not come near the other all night.
21Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land, so the waters were divided. 22The sons of Israel went through the midst of the sea on the dry land, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 23Then the Egyptians took up the pursuit, and all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots and his horsemen went in after them into the midst of the sea. 24At the morning watch, the LORD looked down on the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud and brought the army of the Egyptians into confusion. 25He caused their chariot wheels to swerve, and He made them drive with difficulty; so the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from Israel, for the LORD is fighting for them against the Egyptians.”
26Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may come back over the Egyptians, over their chariots and their horsemen.” 27So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal state at daybreak, while the Egyptians were fleeing right into it; then the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. 28The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen, even Pharaoh’s entire army that had gone into the sea after them; not even one of them remained. 29But the sons of Israel walked on dry land through the midst of the sea, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
30Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31When Israel saw the great power which the LORD had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in His servant Moses.
Reflection on Exodus 14:15–31:
After telling the people to stand firm and trust God, the situation reaches a turning point.
God says:
“Tell the sons of Israel to go forward.”
This is significant.
There are moments in our walk with God when we are called to:
- wait
- trust
- remain still before Him
But there are also moments when faith requires movement.
Israel still could not see the full path ahead.
The sea was still there.
The danger was still real.
Yet God calls them to move forward before the way is fully visible.
This is often how faith works.
We usually want:
- complete clarity
- full explanations
- guaranteed outcomes
before taking a step.
But God frequently asks us to obey Him before we can fully see what He is about to do.
As Moses stretches out his hand, God parts the sea through a strong east wind, creating dry ground in the middle of what once appeared impossible.
What had looked like a dead end becomes a path of deliverance.
This is one of the defining moments in all of Scripture.
Israel does not save itself through strength, strategy, or military power.
God makes the way.
Again we see a major Exodus theme:
salvation belongs to the LORD.
The pillar of cloud also moves between Israel and Egypt.
For one side there is darkness.
For the other there is light and protection.
God continues distinguishing His people while restraining their enemies.
Then comes the incredible image of Israel walking through the sea on dry ground with walls of water on both sides.
Imagine the mixture of emotions:
- awe
- fear
- uncertainty
- amazement
Each step required trust.
And that is true in our own lives as well.
Often God does not reveal the entire journey at once.
He gives enough light for the next step.
The Egyptians pursue into the sea, but God throws their army into confusion. Their strength, chariots, and military power prove useless against Him.
What seemed unstoppable is suddenly powerless before God.
This reminds us that earthly power is always limited before the authority of God.
The chapter concludes with the waters returning and the Egyptian army destroyed.
For the first time, Israel is completely free from Pharaoh’s control.
The people then respond with fear of the LORD and belief in Him and His servant Moses.
Notice the progression:
- fear of circumstances
- trust in God
- worshipful reverence
God did not merely rescue Israel from danger.
He was teaching them to trust Him.
This passage speaks deeply into the moments when we face situations that seem impossible.
Sometimes God brings us to places where:
- our own strength is insufficient
- the way forward is unclear
- and we must choose whether to trust Him fully
The Red Sea reminds us that God specializes in making a way where none appears to exist.
And often, faith means taking the next step before the waters part completely.
Application:
- Obey God even when you cannot fully see the outcome ahead.
- Trust that God can make a way through impossible situations.
- Remember that salvation and deliverance ultimately come from God, not human strength.
- Take the next faithful step God places before you.
- Allow difficult situations to deepen your trust in God rather than weaken it.
Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to trust You when the way ahead feels uncertain or impossible. Teach me to move forward in faith even before I fully understand what You are doing. Remind me that You are able to make a way where none seems to exist. Strengthen my heart to obey You step by step and to rest in Your power and faithfulness. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.
May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda
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