⁹ “And you saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt and heard their cry at the Red Sea, ¹⁰ and performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants and all the people of his land, for you knew that they acted arrogantly against our fathers. And you made a name for yourself, as it is to this day.

¹¹ And you divided the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on dry land, and you cast their pursuers into the depths, as a stone into mighty waters. ¹² By a pillar of cloud you led them in the day, and by a pillar of fire in the night to light for them the way in which they should go.

Nehemiah 9:9-12  (ESV)

Stop 2 – Exodus from Egypt

The first stop on our His-story of Israel tour was Abraham. Now we jump to his descendents in Egypt and the Exodus. Yesterday, today and tomorrow focus on God’s forming of Israel through election and nurturing love.

You…

In today’s passage, we see “You” repeated six times. No, this isn’t you (or me), it’s God. Nehemiah wants readers to know – this is God’s show.

1. You saw the affliction. We see this so lovingly expressed in Exo 3:7 ESV when God was calling Moses: “Then the Lord said, ‘I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings,’”. Read it again: “I have seen and  known their sufferings”. Does this apply to your situation?
2. (You) performed signs and wonders. He’s referring to the 10 plagues God performed against Pharaoh and the Egyptians for their arrogance against God. God didn’t allow His people to suffer forever. Does this give you hope? Here’s more about the plagues.
3. You made a name for yourself. Let’s face it. God is concerned about His name, His glory. He will take / make opportunities to reveal Himself so creation will worship Him. In your situation, how is God making a name for Himself. Pray He will and submit to it.
4. You made a way in the sea. The sea was in the way so God provided a way when there was literally no other way – in a huge way. How does that weigh in your minds?
5. You vanquished our enemy. As part of making a name for Himself, God decimated the remaining Egyptian army. Do you need His strong arm of help?
6. You led them in the wilderness. Here we see the nurturing heart of God to guide and protect His people in a place they didn’t know and couldn’t provide for themselves. As you read Exodus you’ll see that during this leading, the Israelites were whining,  complaining and otherwise sinning against the Lord. Yet, he forgave and continued His coventantal, steadfast love toward them. Does this encourage you?