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The sermon reads Israel’s deliverance through the Red Sea typologically as a picture of conversion and the believer’s subsequent pilgrimage. New believers should expect providential trials, renewed awareness of sin, and temptations to fear, but God supplies corresponding grace and protection. Affliction is presented as a means by which believers are more fully dedicated to Christ. The sermon sharply contrasts the believer’s hope at death with the unbeliever’s exposure to judgment and eternal punishment, concluding with an urgent appeal to repent and believe in Jesus Christ for eternal life.
Theological center: God sovereignly leads and preserves His people through trials, while salvation from sin, death, and final judgment is found through faith in Christ alone.
Applications: Trust God in trials · Dedicate yourself wholly to Christ · Choose Christ without reservation · Believe on Christ
Primary texts: Psalms 106:9 · 1 Corinthians 10:2 · Mark 16:16
“He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.” Psalm 106:9 SEVERAL Sabbaths ago, we preached upon the deliverance of the children of Israel out of Egypt by the blood of the Passover [See sermon #55, THE EXODUS], and we told you then that we believed that event to be typical of the coming forth of God’s people from that spiritual house of bondage, that furnace of mental suffering whence they are delivered by the omnipotent grace of God, at the time of their conversion. This morning we pursue the narrative. No doubt the children of Israel supposed that now all was over. The Egyptians had sent them away, entreating them to depart, and loading them with riches. Terror had smitten the heart of Egypt, for from the king on the throne to the prisoner in the dungeon, all was dismay and fear on account of Israel. Egypt was glad for them when they departed. Therefore the children of Israel said within themselves, “We shall now march to Canaan at once. There will be no more dangers, no more troubles, no more trials. The Egyptians themselves have sent us away and they are too much afraid of us to ever molest us again. Now shall we tread the desert through with hasty footstep. And when a few more days have passed, we shall enter into the land of our possession—the land that flows with milk and honey.” “Not quite so speedily,” says God. “The time is not arrived yet for you to rest. It is true I have delivered you from Egypt, but there is much you have to learn before you will be prepared to dwell in Canaan. Therefore I shall lead you about and instruct you and teach you.” And it came to pass that the Lord led the children of Israel about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea, till they arrived over against Baalzephon, where on either side the craggy mountains shut them in. Pharaoh hears of it. He comes upon them, to overcome them. And they stand in terrible fright and jeopardy of their lives. Now, beloved, it is usually so with the believer. He marches out of Egypt spiritually at the time of his conversion and he says within himself, “Now I shall always be happy.” He has a bright eye and a light heart, for his fetters have been dashed to the ground, and he feels no longer the lash of conscience upon his shoulder. “Now,” says he, “I may have a short life, but it will be a happy one.” “‘A few more rolling years at most, Will land me on fair Canaan’s coast.’ “And then I shall have no more warfare, no more fighting, no more disturbance, but I shall be at peace.” “Not quite as you desire,” says…