God of War

Moses wrote a song unto God in Exodus 15, after the Lord saved them from Pharaoh and his army. “Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore” (Exodus 14:30). These mighty Egyptian warriors pursued the Israelites, with the intention of recapturing them. Pharaoh could not stand the idea of seeing these people go free. Now you would imagine that by this time, Pharaoh had learnt his lesson. God sent ten plagues upon Egypt and the final plague was devastating. Perhaps Pharaoh convinced himself that this was merely a coincidence.

After all, there may have been a scientific explanation for all that happened in Egypt. The bible actually says that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, in order to get the glory over him. He should have left the people of God alone, but his stubbornness and hard heartedness made him pursue them. What was the result? His entire army dead by drowning. “Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the Lord, saying, “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea” (Exodus 15:1). I wonder if Pharaoh’s men had swimming lessons. I truly doubt that any swimming abilities, would have saved them from that Red Sea.

God would have made absolutely sure, that everyone of those soldiers were dead at sea. Their death was as a result of their hard heartedness and their desire to cause harm to God’s children. Police officers and soldiers are trained to serve and protect. Soldiers should not shoot unless they are threatened, or to take out someone who is a threat to others. However, officers are trained to protect and will eliminate threats to life and liberty. God is loving, faithful and caring and his desire is that all of his creation are saved. “Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live” (Ezekiel 18:23).

People perish because they choose not to repent and serve God. The devil creates conditions to take the life of the same wicked people who serve him. He wants to ensure that as many people as possible perish with him. The challenge is that people are blind to their sin and wickedness. God will extend mercy and pardon because he wants a relationship with people. However, if anyone allows themselves to be used as an agent of the devil, to harass and antagonise God’s children, the result is disaster. “The Lord will fight for you while you [only need to] keep silent and remain calm” (Exodus 14:14).

A.P.-Y.