And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:
At the Red Sea God told Moses to stop merely crying to Him and to command Israel to go forward in obedient action. They were hemmed in with the sea before them, mountains on either side, and Pharaoh's army behind, with more than a million people terrified and murmuring despite all God had done. Going forward meant doing all that human power could do and stepping by faith into the water before the way was visibly open, and then God divided the sea, led them through on dry ground, and destroyed their pursuers. He still brings His people into strait places where no advance seems possible in order to test living faith that looks beyond visible difficulty to unseen power and trusts Him in an impossible position. That same word is His watchword now, calling for continual advancement in missionary work, in growing light and truth, and in holiness, without standing still or going back.
Red Sea Crisis
The word was spoken at the Red Sea with deep waters beating on the shore before Israel, impassable mountains and granite rocks on either side and to the south, and Pharaoh's pursuing army with horses, chariots and equipment for war behind, so that more than a million people were hemmed in with no human way of escape. They had been brought into a strait place where they saw no way to advance, trapped between the mountains and the sea with the Egyptian army approaching, and the command to advance came even before they had reached the water's edge. The sea stood ahead, the mountain barred the south, and the pursuers closed in from behind.
The people were terrified and perplexed, their hearts failing while Egypt shouted in triumph at having them in its power. Despite the wonders God had wrought they lacked faith, murmured against Moses, wailed without self-control, forgot past deliverance and let unbelief rule, questioning whether the cloud that had signaled their journey had led them into disaster by bringing them to an impassable route. Moses urged the fearful not to fear and assured them the Lord would deliver them, calling them to withhold expressions of unbelief and see what God would do for them. Having learned humility and faithfulness he was not stirred to anger but pleaded for them by looking in faith to the invisible Leader, and even without kneeling in formal prayer his silent earnest cry reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.
God answered that crying by bidding him stop crying to Him and tell the children of Israel to go forward. The people's forward movement was joined to Moses lifting his rod and stretching his hand over the sea to divide it, so that Israel would go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. As they obeyed and stepped by faith into the sea, God rolled back the waters to stand like mighty walls on each side, lighted by the pillar of fire. He moved the pillar of cloud from before them to behind them between the two armies, as darkness to Egypt and as light and shield to Israel, made a dry path through the midst of the sea, and guided and protected them through it. When Pharaoh in hardened blindness rushed into the miraculously prepared path, Moses stretched forth his hand again and the sea returned to its strength to drown him and his host, proving the Lord of hosts Himself was leading His people.
The Speaker was Christ as Captain and Leader, who spoke the command to Moses' people, guided them through the wilderness and gave them victory over their enemies. The deliverance from Egyptian slavery, with God guiding and protecting His people while destroying the army that sought to recapture them, displays His power and shows that He rules over the nations and is greater than their gods.
Meaning of Go Forward
At the sea with the Egyptian army pressing behind, the word wherefore criest thou unto me is a rebuke to merely crying and pleading, calling to stop crying to God and to stop murmuring and questioning doubts, and to act in trust and obedience instead of continuing in pleading, complaint, spiritual idleness, or formal delay. The command to tell the people to go forward comes while they are afraid and shut in by the sea before them and impassable mountains and rocks around them, and while they question whether the cloud that signaled their journey has led them into disaster, yet that same cloud becomes their protection between the armies. Going forward means obeying God despite the apparent impossibility of the way ahead, turning complaints to prayer, believing, working and sacrificing, and doing all that can be done. That forward movement is joined to Moses using what God gave him, lifting his rod and stretching his hand over the sea so that God divides the waters and Israel crosses on dry ground.
Israel had already gone as far as they could at the sea, yet they were still to go forward, advancing toward the Red Sea as the expression of faith in God's word when danger lay before them and no visible way was through. Go forward means doing on the human part all that can possibly be done while God does His part, walking humbly with God in trust, prayer and belief rather than in own strength, for man can do nothing but the Lord can do all things. It means pushing the work with energy, perseverance, moral courage, earnest effort, self-denial, and faith that will not be baffled or repulsed, not stopping for poverty, destitution, or national manners and customs but seeking the will and way of God. After they did what they could and approached the sea in obedience before the path was opened, God divided the waters, made a path and completed the deliverance, so that obedience brings God's working with human effort, help comes, room is made, prayer is answered, and believers see the salvation of God and are led onward to victory.
Obedience comes before the way is open, for Israel did not wait until the path through the sea was distinctly visible, but advanced until their feet were in the very waters, and then the Lord rolled back the sea and opened the path before them. Waiting for visible certainty, for every uncertainty and risk to disappear, would have kept them from ever crossing, and refusing to move until success is certain is unbelief that loses blessing and hinders God's work. The command therefore calls for much more faith, for doing one's appointed part to carry God's work forward, for acting as though expecting the Lord to do something, for organizing for mission effort, and for giving conscientiously according to ability even when gifts are small, trusting God to bless obedient effort, recede the waters to make a path, and open the way through obstacles as great as the Red Sea.
There is no standing still in the course, it is only advancing or going backward. The providence of God says to advance in the heavenly warfare and never to go back into Egypt, venturing something, working now and encountering difficulties and dangers for the salvation of souls at the time when eternal destiny is soon to be decided and the last message must go with burning zeal. Going forward means encamping every day a day's march nearer the heavenly Canaan instead of pitching tents nearer to Egypt by conformity to the world, asking strength and grace from heaven to resist assimilation, refusing a divided heart that first serves God and then yields to temptation and homage to the world. Those grown gray in pushing the triumphs of the cross and fighting the battles of the Lord must endure with Caleb's confidence that if the Lord delights in them He will bring them into the land, and must not permit Satan to gain the victory, while leaders and ministers must arouse those asleep to diligence and every exertion and never encourage indolence and unbelief.
The command to go forward is also the signal to wait for God's word before moving, for until that word comes His people are to wait rather than move hastily or take their own way. Had Israel at the borders of Canaan waited for that word instead of taking their own way in sending men to search the land, they would have seen the majesty and glory of God just as they did forty years afterward, for the Lord often permits men to have their own way in order to teach them that the way He marks out is the only safe path. Waiting for His direction teaches trust, confidence, wisdom and submission to His will, bending the whole soul to the will and way of God. Even standing on the margin of the sea with no discernible path, in great trial, perplexity and distress, obedience means standing still in faith to see the salvation of God rather than wrestling out of the hands of Christ, hurrying for self-deliverance, or taking any unlawful or doubtful step for relief, but watching, praying, believing, committing the way to the Lord, following the Saviour as He leads the way into the waters, trusting Him to cleave through every apparent obstruction and make a passage for the feet, and resting in quietness and confidence.
Faith That Obeys Unseen
God at times leads His people into strait, straight and trying places where no advance can be seen, with the sea before them and the pursuer behind and their feet seeming to touch the waters, bidding them go forward when the way is not yet open and deliverance depends wholly on His hand. The command is given to try confidence and to test the living faith made possible for every believer, teaching trust as He prepares the way step by step. In such places the privilege is to assemble for prayer, remembering that all things come of God, and then to move forward trusting in Christ and walking in the path He marks out. The same experience belongs to the work in the last days, when those who have not yet shared its trying experiences will soon pass through scenes that severely test confidence in God.
The command calls for an educated faith that does not hesitate to follow instructions in the most difficult experiences, even to invest means for the upbuilding of the work when money is not in hand to complete it. It requires looking beyond visible difficulties to unseen power, trusting what is hoped for without seeing it, following direction rather than judging leading by appearances or by those who refuse to discern it, and obeying even when the way appears impossible or leads into danger. Obedience to the commandments is the way to obtain favor, and duty must be obeyed even when the way is dark and success uncertain, for obstacles do not give way to hesitation and doubt. “Go forward” is thus a Christian watchword for advancing in faith and courage before the path can be seen how it will be made clear.
Hesitation for lack of a clear view, waiting until the route or whole plan is clear and every uncertainty and risk is removed and failure seems impossible, shows little faith and little self-denial and self-sacrifice, distrust and unbelief. Those who wait to obey until everything is made clear will never obey, will lose blessing and hinder the work, for waiting for visible certainty would have kept Israel from ever crossing. Israel did not wait until the path was distinctly visible but advanced until the feet were in the very waters, and then the sea was rolled back and a safe path opened; faith advances despite unseen risks and obedience brings victory. Moving forward in obedience shows trust, while hesitation and murmuring show distrust.
The helpless necessity of God’s people is His opportunity, and their extremity is His opportunity, so He is to be safely trusted in an impossible position as helper and protector. When perplexed at the brink with deep waters before, chariots behind and rocks on either side, the answer to crying is the command to go forward, with the rod lifted and the hand stretched to divide the sea for passage on dry ground through its midst. His people are to work intelligently and believingly rather than in a haphazard, unbelieving way, with certainty of success and no reason to distrust Him, moving forward in faith and trust in the word given even when they cannot see how the way will open. Angels of heaven guard the faithful who pray and believe and move ahead without self-sufficiency and self-exaltation but filled with hope and courage, keeping the way of the Lord in humility and in His counsel to receive all needed help.
Advancing in faith when the way is dark gives an experience that strengthens faith in God and fits for truest and faithful service. The helpless terrified multitude of slaves trusting the word though in themselves utterly helpless withstood the mightiest army of the mightiest nation on the globe, standing as an example of faith’s triumph over overwhelming human power. Going forward in trust through trials teaches trust as He prepares the way and prepares believers to take the next step along the path marked out even when trials come.
When the prayers of servants ascend in earnest faith at such times, God opens the way before them and brings them out into a large place. The sea of trouble threatening to overwhelm will open to reveal a safe path for the feet, and trials and difficulties that seem formidable and fill the soul with dread will vanish as duty is done at any cost, moving boldly forward in obedience while humbly trusting in God. Humble prayer brings self-revelation as a God who can deliver in every emergency to the end of time, preparing the way before those who seek wisdom from above and are willing to walk in His way.
God Delivers His People
Exodus 14:15 was spoken when Israel was trapped before the Red Sea with Pharaoh's army pursuing behind, and it commanded them to go forward in trust even though the sea blocked the way and the danger filled them with dread. The command came before they had reached the sea, calling them to act on God's direction despite the apparent lack of any way forward. As they obeyed and advanced in faith without seeing how the way would open, He proved Himself their helper and protector, opening a safe path through the waters so they crossed on dry ground. He then led and protected them through the midst of the sea, delivered them from Egypt and slavery, and when the Egyptians followed to recapture them the waters returned and destroyed them.
God had led Israel into that place between the mountains and the sea where escape from the pursuers seemed impossible, so they would recognize their helplessness and their need of divine aid. By delivering them there He revealed His power and mercy and bound them to Himself as their deliverer from temporal bondage. That deliverance was meant to fill them with love and gratitude and with confidence and trust in His help.
The command belongs to these days as well as to Israel, for God wants His people now to believe He will do as great things for them as He did for the children of Israel in their journey from Egypt to Canaan. He sometimes still tries the confidence of His people by bringing them into strait and trying places and bidding them go forward when their feet seem to be touching the waters of the Red Sea. When at such times the prayers of His servants ascend to Him in earnest faith, He opens the way before them and brings them out into a large place. Christ who spoke the word to Moses' people, guided them through the wilderness and gave them victory over their enemies, is just as willing to help His people in their warfare today. That requires an educated faith that does not hesitate to follow His instructions in the most difficult experiences, including moving forward to invest means for the upbuilding of His work even when the money is not in hand to complete it.
Israel's miraculous freedom from Egypt granted them liberty and God's service, yet their later longing for Egypt's former comforts showed that freedom was being tested against the indulgences they had left behind.
Advancing Missionary Work
“Go forward” is God’s ringing word and Christian watchword for this time, commanding continual advancement in diffusing light and truth over the whole earth. Providence goes before His people, and infinite power works with human effort when they in faith do on the human part all that can possibly be done, walking humbly with God, trusting, praying and believing rather than working in their own strength. When they obey step by step, God does His part, opens the Red Sea before them, answers prayer, multiplies the scattered supply as it is imparted, provides what is needed, blesses with mercy, and leads onward to victory in the salvation of fallen man in whom all heaven is interested. What was said to Moses at the sea when the way appeared blocked is said now to believers, rebuking listlessness and faithlessness in front ranks who wait to be moved, calling for a living church that lays hold on God, expects success, plans and works whether means are large or small, reflects light, glorifies His name, and fulfills responsibility as His human agents until character is formed after the divine pattern.
The command means to push the work with energy, perseverance, moral courage, earnest effort, self-denial, and faith that will not be baffled or repulsed, not stopping for poverty, destitution, danger, financial difficulty, discouragement, or national manners and customs but seeking the will and way of God. It means to discharge present duty and leave consequences with God, to venture something, to plough through obstacles with perseverance and earnest work allowing no indolence, to keep working the works of God without stopping to confer with flesh and blood even when the sea is before and insurmountable mountains are on either side. It means never going backward and never standing still expecting God to do the work left for His human agents in His moral vineyard, but advancing constantly rather than limiting the work to a narrow course, obtaining wisdom from God instead of trusting human devising which brings failure, and following where Jesus leads even through conflict and suffering.
It means advancing without waiting for favorable circumstances such as wind or tide, for the whole way to be clear, for uncertainties and risks to disappear, or for means to be in hand. Waiting until every uncertainty is removed and failure seems impossible shows unbelief that God does not honor, hinders the work, and loses blessing, for those who wait to obey until everything is made clear will never obey. It requires laying hold upon God, expecting success, planning and working in faith whether means are large or small, giving even from a meager store to sustain the cause, trusting God to multiply it, and beginning needed enterprises like the hospital even though funds are scarce and delayed, moving ahead in reliance on the Lord’s direction with earnest prayer that opens the way.
It means entering new fields and lifting the standard in new territory, advancing the work in every place as God opens the way. After the warning message has been given in one place and people have been raised up to continue it, workers move on to unworked fields, going from city to city to establish schools and spread the message, creating centers only when needed and working outward from them. It means planting truth in foreign lands, multiplying publications and scattering them like autumn leaves to enlighten minds in every country, answering thousands thirsting for living truth and pleading for help, sending workers who offer themselves, using all talents of means and influence with a steady stream of funds so lands that never heard the truth hear the last warning, using means for darkened nations rather than concentrating in a few centers, holding camp meetings in new places, and annexing territory by raising up companies of believers and houses of worship under judicious, God-fearing leaders. It means pressing on even when faithful standard-bearers die and are buried, with no time to stop for mourning, because the inhabitants of the world are perishing without the call to repentance and only a hundredth part of what could be done has been done for lack of help, as seen in great cities with few believers such as Newcastle and in new fields continually in Australia.
Applied to building, it calls for arising to build houses for the Lord, churches and schools, advancing aggressive pioneer work from point to point as the Lord gives understanding, even at personal sacrifice, amid debt and under most discouraging circumstances without studying ease or convenience. Moving forward in obedience with resolve not to fail or be discouraged is accompanied by prayer bringing supply of means and consecrated workers, as in Europe where laborers should have been supported rather than restrained by oppressive oversight and diverted means, and in Sydney, Nashville, and new cities, towns and villages where the time has fully come to do the great work. Applied to workers, God’s cause being constantly progressing means giving youth a solid practical education so they can soon bear the burdens older workers now carry, bringing young men to the front as colporteurs, canvassers and ministers, using those established in truth who walk with God, pray much, earnestly gather all light, and put forth highest mental and moral energies in consecration and self-sacrifice, with success proportionate to consecration rather than endowments and dependent on God working with human effort, continuing despite opposition, trials and prejudice by looking to Jesus for orders and self-control. The organization erected by God’s direction for prosperity and success, worked out at great cost of study, prayer for wisdom, sacrifice and conflict which made His people what they are, is ordained by God and is to stand strengthened, established and settled, with none attempting to tear it down, dispense with it, or unsettle minds about it.
Progress must continue and the wheels of progress must not be blocked, for unjust criticism and words of censure against God’s appointed instrumentalities hinders the work God is doing through them and reproaches God Himself. Those in positions of trust, though finite and liable to err while seeking perfection of character, are to be respected and guarded from unjust criticism so the work advances as God directs. Specific applications include acting faithfully as stewards to prepare a people for the coming crisis by advancing steadily in holiness and fidelity, health-reform educators pressing on to teach preparation of food both wholesome and appetizing despite reluctance in order to stem moral decline, and consecrated medical evangelist labor in large cities in humility under the Holy Spirit in the Lord’s order, ceasing unbelieving fears, with promise of a precious work accomplished. Help arriving unexpectedly after continued prayer in financial crisis, like the waters opening before Israel when every way seemed closed, shows the same deliverance, while opposition to securing properties He has appointed for health reform dishonors the Lord and loses special advantages He desires His people to have. Lack of faith, self-chosen plans, leaders’ resistance, unbelieving opposition, and waiting to be moved hold the work back, while living faith, spiritual understanding, united action under the Holy Spirit, refusal to give way to opposition or discouragement, and continued praying with faith that receives answers allow humble ranks to face difficulties, advance from one degree of success to another, and see answered prayer.
Growing in Truth and Holiness
“Go forward” forbids stopping the work of reform where Luther, Calvin and Zwingli stopped, and forbids letting it become stereotyped at the death of the Wesleys. Truth is constantly opening and present truth shines in clear rays, so doctrines and faith must not be anchored on any favorite human leader or refuse to advance beyond where that man led. The great Leader is constantly advancing, commanding His people to move forward step by step through conflict and trial toward final victory, leading willing followers to advanced truth and greater light while those who refuse are left in the rear. Those who will not open their eyes to wondrous things out of the law become adversaries to those who see and follow the Leader, lift the cross, deny self, and accept reproach and false accusation for unpopular truth, yet His people are to hold to the truth even when it brings opposition, suffering or death. The command is a call for continual advancement in truth and righteousness rather than standing still in inherited practices, for greater light brings responsibility to keep progressing in knowledge and love of God.
The Lord’s command through His messengers is to go forward into revival and light in clear distinct rays leading to the magnifying of Christ. Above all this means proclaiming the knowledge of the Father and the Son, and advancing with the present-truth message that Christ is our righteousness. At Minneapolis God was about to revive His people and bless them, but Satan determined to hold them away from that light so the rich blessing would not come upon the delegates and be carried to the churches. He raised alarm beforehand over the law in Galatians and armed them to resist everything coming from the men from the Pacific Coast, so that prejudice and unbelief, jealousy and evil-surmising, delusion and false impressions barred hearts against the precious light presented. It rebukes listlessness and faithlessness in front ranks who wait to be moved against their own will instead of discerning providence, leaving them far behind where they should be as a living church reflecting light.
Going forward means not standing still where men think they are firm as rock at duty, but opening the mind, uniting with the messengers He sends, and accepting the message that bears the imprint of the Most High instead of watching to question and doubt. To those who go forward God promises to be with them, to go before them as front-guard with His glory as rereward, with the richest beams of light shining from His throne upon them. It calls for continuing to learn and digging deeper instead of settling for surface knowledge or measuring self by others’ standard and stopping when satisfied at reaching what others have reached. It forbids binding teachers and ministers to teach only what has been taught before or measuring them by human judgment, and requires receiving fresh manna from heaven, with God’s Word flashing new light that reveals the safe path more fully and with messengers unrolling the scroll to meet changing conditions. What God gives His servants to speak today is God’s message for this time even if it would not have been present truth twenty years before, and to stop receiving light is to refuse light. This failure belongs to churches in all ages and is repeated when a warning message from heaven is given and nominal churches refuse it and hold together against it for fear of danger, while the richest treasures of truth stand open and needed by every mind.
It means continual advancement heavenward in the way of truth and righteousness, purifying souls by obeying the truth, advancing steadily in holiness and fidelity as stewards preparing a people for the coming crisis, and continuing in welldoing till warfare is over with increased knowledge and love of God. It means awakening dormant latent energy, training capabilities in faith under the Holy Spirit’s guidance, cultivating God-given abilities, becoming laborers together with God, and training Christian workers so every church becomes a power in convincing the world of Bible truth and character is formed after the divine pattern. Hearing or knowing God’s word is not enough, for truth becomes saving truth only as it is obeyed, put into practice, and shapes mind and character, and such obedience brings the blessings His word reveals. The command is applied to advancing in spiritual experience by consecrating self to God and trusting His word, with Christ’s presence giving courage to meet difficulty and perform whatever duty He requires.
Pressing onward toward the Light of life means victory rather than dwelling sorrowfully on past wrongs, since regret brings weakness and discouragement, not healing or strength. Duties must be performed by faith even when reasons cannot be seen and results cannot be calculated, moving on in God’s strength and freedom while cherishing hope and trust in God’s mercy in Christ, for all life work laid out by God is surrounded by promises for those who take heed to them. It means taking upward steps and not downward steps, holding position in the elevated path cast up for the ransomed to walk in, the highway of holiness, as steadfast good soldiers of Jesus Christ while still in the enemy’s country, which requires the wisdom and strength and courage the Holy Spirit imparts. Fidelity shown through obedience lets believers’ light shine conspicuously before the world and leads others to glorify God.
To refuse is to stand still saying I will do as my fathers have done, remaining for generations without advance, holding old arbitrary laws and barbaric practices, and failing even to live up to the light and conscientious piety of the fathers. It means refusing to walk in increased light shining from God’s word upon the pathway, refusing the conditions on which fulfillment of the promise hangs, and opposing those who embrace and walk in the light. This leaves worshipers without wisdom and power from above, unable to reckon themselves dead unto sin and alive unto God, sitting in darkness under great condemnation for the abundant grace and truth refused. The travelers’ crossing of the hazardous Mississippi on ice while praying and trusting Israel’s God stands as an example of trusting God and proceeding despite danger under this command.
The command given to the children of Israel while being led to the Promised Land still binds God’s people today and is spoken again by Christ as Leader. It calls them to pray and believe and move ahead even when the end cannot be seen from the beginning and every step cannot be seen clearly in advance, without self-sufficiency and self-exaltation but filled with hope and courage. Holding back until the whole way is clear shows little faith and little of the spirit of self-denial and self-sacrifice. If His people keep the way of the Lord and walk in humility and in His counsel they will receive all needed help, for the Lord is helper and protector and angels guard His faithful ones, and humble prayer brings His self-revelation as a God who can deliver in every emergency to the end of time while the church must strive with difficulties so His work may stand pure without fraud or intrigue. It commands stopping talk of what cannot be done and speaking and doing what can be done, pressing through seeming impossibilities in constant growth in knowledge of Christ toward unity of the faith and the full stature of Christ.
At the Red Sea God told Moses to stop merely crying to Him and to command Israel to go forward in obedient action. They were hemmed in with the sea before them, mountains on either side, and Pharaoh's army behind, with more than a million people terrified and murmuring despite all God had done. Going forward meant doing all that human power could do and stepping by faith into the water before the way was visibly open, and then God divided the sea, led them through on dry ground, and destroyed their pursuers. He still brings His people into strait places where no advance seems possible in order to test living faith that looks beyond visible difficulty to unseen power and trusts Him in an impossible position. That same word is His watchword now, calling for continual advancement in missionary work, in growing light and truth, and in holiness, without standing still or going back.
Red Sea Crisis
The word was spoken at the Red Sea with deep waters beating on the shore before Israel, impassable mountains and granite rocks on either side and to the south, and Pharaoh's pursuing army with horses, chariots and equipment for war behind, so that more than a million people were hemmed in with no human way of escape. They had been brought into a strait place where they saw no way to advance, trapped between the mountains and the sea with the Egyptian army approaching, and the command to advance came even before they had reached the water's edge. The sea stood ahead, the mountain barred the south, and the pursuers closed in from behind.
The people were terrified and perplexed, their hearts failing while Egypt shouted in triumph at having them in its power. Despite the wonders God had wrought they lacked faith, murmured against Moses, wailed without self-control, forgot past deliverance and let unbelief rule, questioning whether the cloud that had signaled their journey had led them into disaster by bringing them to an impassable route. Moses urged the fearful not to fear and assured them the Lord would deliver them, calling them to withhold expressions of unbelief and see what God would do for them. Having learned humility and faithfulness he was not stirred to anger but pleaded for them by looking in faith to the invisible Leader, and even without kneeling in formal prayer his silent earnest cry reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.
God answered that crying by bidding him stop crying to Him and tell the children of Israel to go forward. The people's forward movement was joined to Moses lifting his rod and stretching his hand over the sea to divide it, so that Israel would go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. As they obeyed and stepped by faith into the sea, God rolled back the waters to stand like mighty walls on each side, lighted by the pillar of fire. He moved the pillar of cloud from before them to behind them between the two armies, as darkness to Egypt and as light and shield to Israel, made a dry path through the midst of the sea, and guided and protected them through it. When Pharaoh in hardened blindness rushed into the miraculously prepared path, Moses stretched forth his hand again and the sea returned to its strength to drown him and his host, proving the Lord of hosts Himself was leading His people.
The Speaker was Christ as Captain and Leader, who spoke the command to Moses' people, guided them through the wilderness and gave them victory over their enemies. The deliverance from Egyptian slavery, with God guiding and protecting His people while destroying the army that sought to recapture them, displays His power and shows that He rules over the nations and is greater than their gods.
Meaning of Go Forward
At the sea with the Egyptian army pressing behind, the word wherefore criest thou unto me is a rebuke to merely crying and pleading, calling to stop crying to God and to stop murmuring and questioning doubts, and to act in trust and obedience instead of continuing in pleading, complaint, spiritual idleness, or formal delay. The command to tell the people to go forward comes while they are afraid and shut in by the sea before them and impassable mountains and rocks around them, and while they question whether the cloud that signaled their journey has led them into disaster, yet that same cloud becomes their protection between the armies. Going forward means obeying God despite the apparent impossibility of the way ahead, turning complaints to prayer, believing, working and sacrificing, and doing all that can be done. That forward movement is joined to Moses using what God gave him, lifting his rod and stretching his hand over the sea so that God divides the waters and Israel crosses on dry ground.
Israel had already gone as far as they could at the sea, yet they were still to go forward, advancing toward the Red Sea as the expression of faith in God's word when danger lay before them and no visible way was through. Go forward means doing on the human part all that can possibly be done while God does His part, walking humbly with God in trust, prayer and belief rather than in own strength, for man can do nothing but the Lord can do all things. It means pushing the work with energy, perseverance, moral courage, earnest effort, self-denial, and faith that will not be baffled or repulsed, not stopping for poverty, destitution, or national manners and customs but seeking the will and way of God. After they did what they could and approached the sea in obedience before the path was opened, God divided the waters, made a path and completed the deliverance, so that obedience brings God's working with human effort, help comes, room is made, prayer is answered, and believers see the salvation of God and are led onward to victory.
Obedience comes before the way is open, for Israel did not wait until the path through the sea was distinctly visible, but advanced until their feet were in the very waters, and then the Lord rolled back the sea and opened the path before them. Waiting for visible certainty, for every uncertainty and risk to disappear, would have kept them from ever crossing, and refusing to move until success is certain is unbelief that loses blessing and hinders God's work. The command therefore calls for much more faith, for doing one's appointed part to carry God's work forward, for acting as though expecting the Lord to do something, for organizing for mission effort, and for giving conscientiously according to ability even when gifts are small, trusting God to bless obedient effort, recede the waters to make a path, and open the way through obstacles as great as the Red Sea.
There is no standing still in the course, it is only advancing or going backward. The providence of God says to advance in the heavenly warfare and never to go back into Egypt, venturing something, working now and encountering difficulties and dangers for the salvation of souls at the time when eternal destiny is soon to be decided and the last message must go with burning zeal. Going forward means encamping every day a day's march nearer the heavenly Canaan instead of pitching tents nearer to Egypt by conformity to the world, asking strength and grace from heaven to resist assimilation, refusing a divided heart that first serves God and then yields to temptation and homage to the world. Those grown gray in pushing the triumphs of the cross and fighting the battles of the Lord must endure with Caleb's confidence that if the Lord delights in them He will bring them into the land, and must not permit Satan to gain the victory, while leaders and ministers must arouse those asleep to diligence and every exertion and never encourage indolence and unbelief.
The command to go forward is also the signal to wait for God's word before moving, for until that word comes His people are to wait rather than move hastily or take their own way. Had Israel at the borders of Canaan waited for that word instead of taking their own way in sending men to search the land, they would have seen the majesty and glory of God just as they did forty years afterward, for the Lord often permits men to have their own way in order to teach them that the way He marks out is the only safe path. Waiting for His direction teaches trust, confidence, wisdom and submission to His will, bending the whole soul to the will and way of God. Even standing on the margin of the sea with no discernible path, in great trial, perplexity and distress, obedience means standing still in faith to see the salvation of God rather than wrestling out of the hands of Christ, hurrying for self-deliverance, or taking any unlawful or doubtful step for relief, but watching, praying, believing, committing the way to the Lord, following the Saviour as He leads the way into the waters, trusting Him to cleave through every apparent obstruction and make a passage for the feet, and resting in quietness and confidence.
Faith That Obeys Unseen
God at times leads His people into strait, straight and trying places where no advance can be seen, with the sea before them and the pursuer behind and their feet seeming to touch the waters, bidding them go forward when the way is not yet open and deliverance depends wholly on His hand. The command is given to try confidence and to test the living faith made possible for every believer, teaching trust as He prepares the way step by step. In such places the privilege is to assemble for prayer, remembering that all things come of God, and then to move forward trusting in Christ and walking in the path He marks out. The same experience belongs to the work in the last days, when those who have not yet shared its trying experiences will soon pass through scenes that severely test confidence in God.
The command calls for an educated faith that does not hesitate to follow instructions in the most difficult experiences, even to invest means for the upbuilding of the work when money is not in hand to complete it. It requires looking beyond visible difficulties to unseen power, trusting what is hoped for without seeing it, following direction rather than judging leading by appearances or by those who refuse to discern it, and obeying even when the way appears impossible or leads into danger. Obedience to the commandments is the way to obtain favor, and duty must be obeyed even when the way is dark and success uncertain, for obstacles do not give way to hesitation and doubt. “Go forward” is thus a Christian watchword for advancing in faith and courage before the path can be seen how it will be made clear.
Hesitation for lack of a clear view, waiting until the route or whole plan is clear and every uncertainty and risk is removed and failure seems impossible, shows little faith and little self-denial and self-sacrifice, distrust and unbelief. Those who wait to obey until everything is made clear will never obey, will lose blessing and hinder the work, for waiting for visible certainty would have kept Israel from ever crossing. Israel did not wait until the path was distinctly visible but advanced until the feet were in the very waters, and then the sea was rolled back and a safe path opened; faith advances despite unseen risks and obedience brings victory. Moving forward in obedience shows trust, while hesitation and murmuring show distrust.
The helpless necessity of God’s people is His opportunity, and their extremity is His opportunity, so He is to be safely trusted in an impossible position as helper and protector. When perplexed at the brink with deep waters before, chariots behind and rocks on either side, the answer to crying is the command to go forward, with the rod lifted and the hand stretched to divide the sea for passage on dry ground through its midst. His people are to work intelligently and believingly rather than in a haphazard, unbelieving way, with certainty of success and no reason to distrust Him, moving forward in faith and trust in the word given even when they cannot see how the way will open. Angels of heaven guard the faithful who pray and believe and move ahead without self-sufficiency and self-exaltation but filled with hope and courage, keeping the way of the Lord in humility and in His counsel to receive all needed help.
Advancing in faith when the way is dark gives an experience that strengthens faith in God and fits for truest and faithful service. The helpless terrified multitude of slaves trusting the word though in themselves utterly helpless withstood the mightiest army of the mightiest nation on the globe, standing as an example of faith’s triumph over overwhelming human power. Going forward in trust through trials teaches trust as He prepares the way and prepares believers to take the next step along the path marked out even when trials come.
When the prayers of servants ascend in earnest faith at such times, God opens the way before them and brings them out into a large place. The sea of trouble threatening to overwhelm will open to reveal a safe path for the feet, and trials and difficulties that seem formidable and fill the soul with dread will vanish as duty is done at any cost, moving boldly forward in obedience while humbly trusting in God. Humble prayer brings self-revelation as a God who can deliver in every emergency to the end of time, preparing the way before those who seek wisdom from above and are willing to walk in His way.
God Delivers His People
Exodus 14:15 was spoken when Israel was trapped before the Red Sea with Pharaoh's army pursuing behind, and it commanded them to go forward in trust even though the sea blocked the way and the danger filled them with dread. The command came before they had reached the sea, calling them to act on God's direction despite the apparent lack of any way forward. As they obeyed and advanced in faith without seeing how the way would open, He proved Himself their helper and protector, opening a safe path through the waters so they crossed on dry ground. He then led and protected them through the midst of the sea, delivered them from Egypt and slavery, and when the Egyptians followed to recapture them the waters returned and destroyed them.
God had led Israel into that place between the mountains and the sea where escape from the pursuers seemed impossible, so they would recognize their helplessness and their need of divine aid. By delivering them there He revealed His power and mercy and bound them to Himself as their deliverer from temporal bondage. That deliverance was meant to fill them with love and gratitude and with confidence and trust in His help.
The command belongs to these days as well as to Israel, for God wants His people now to believe He will do as great things for them as He did for the children of Israel in their journey from Egypt to Canaan. He sometimes still tries the confidence of His people by bringing them into strait and trying places and bidding them go forward when their feet seem to be touching the waters of the Red Sea. When at such times the prayers of His servants ascend to Him in earnest faith, He opens the way before them and brings them out into a large place. Christ who spoke the word to Moses' people, guided them through the wilderness and gave them victory over their enemies, is just as willing to help His people in their warfare today. That requires an educated faith that does not hesitate to follow His instructions in the most difficult experiences, including moving forward to invest means for the upbuilding of His work even when the money is not in hand to complete it.
Israel's miraculous freedom from Egypt granted them liberty and God's service, yet their later longing for Egypt's former comforts showed that freedom was being tested against the indulgences they had left behind.
Advancing Missionary Work
“Go forward” is God’s ringing word and Christian watchword for this time, commanding continual advancement in diffusing light and truth over the whole earth. Providence goes before His people, and infinite power works with human effort when they in faith do on the human part all that can possibly be done, walking humbly with God, trusting, praying and believing rather than working in their own strength. When they obey step by step, God does His part, opens the Red Sea before them, answers prayer, multiplies the scattered supply as it is imparted, provides what is needed, blesses with mercy, and leads onward to victory in the salvation of fallen man in whom all heaven is interested. What was said to Moses at the sea when the way appeared blocked is said now to believers, rebuking listlessness and faithlessness in front ranks who wait to be moved, calling for a living church that lays hold on God, expects success, plans and works whether means are large or small, reflects light, glorifies His name, and fulfills responsibility as His human agents until character is formed after the divine pattern.
The command means to push the work with energy, perseverance, moral courage, earnest effort, self-denial, and faith that will not be baffled or repulsed, not stopping for poverty, destitution, danger, financial difficulty, discouragement, or national manners and customs but seeking the will and way of God. It means to discharge present duty and leave consequences with God, to venture something, to plough through obstacles with perseverance and earnest work allowing no indolence, to keep working the works of God without stopping to confer with flesh and blood even when the sea is before and insurmountable mountains are on either side. It means never going backward and never standing still expecting God to do the work left for His human agents in His moral vineyard, but advancing constantly rather than limiting the work to a narrow course, obtaining wisdom from God instead of trusting human devising which brings failure, and following where Jesus leads even through conflict and suffering.
It means advancing without waiting for favorable circumstances such as wind or tide, for the whole way to be clear, for uncertainties and risks to disappear, or for means to be in hand. Waiting until every uncertainty is removed and failure seems impossible shows unbelief that God does not honor, hinders the work, and loses blessing, for those who wait to obey until everything is made clear will never obey. It requires laying hold upon God, expecting success, planning and working in faith whether means are large or small, giving even from a meager store to sustain the cause, trusting God to multiply it, and beginning needed enterprises like the hospital even though funds are scarce and delayed, moving ahead in reliance on the Lord’s direction with earnest prayer that opens the way.
It means entering new fields and lifting the standard in new territory, advancing the work in every place as God opens the way. After the warning message has been given in one place and people have been raised up to continue it, workers move on to unworked fields, going from city to city to establish schools and spread the message, creating centers only when needed and working outward from them. It means planting truth in foreign lands, multiplying publications and scattering them like autumn leaves to enlighten minds in every country, answering thousands thirsting for living truth and pleading for help, sending workers who offer themselves, using all talents of means and influence with a steady stream of funds so lands that never heard the truth hear the last warning, using means for darkened nations rather than concentrating in a few centers, holding camp meetings in new places, and annexing territory by raising up companies of believers and houses of worship under judicious, God-fearing leaders. It means pressing on even when faithful standard-bearers die and are buried, with no time to stop for mourning, because the inhabitants of the world are perishing without the call to repentance and only a hundredth part of what could be done has been done for lack of help, as seen in great cities with few believers such as Newcastle and in new fields continually in Australia.
Applied to building, it calls for arising to build houses for the Lord, churches and schools, advancing aggressive pioneer work from point to point as the Lord gives understanding, even at personal sacrifice, amid debt and under most discouraging circumstances without studying ease or convenience. Moving forward in obedience with resolve not to fail or be discouraged is accompanied by prayer bringing supply of means and consecrated workers, as in Europe where laborers should have been supported rather than restrained by oppressive oversight and diverted means, and in Sydney, Nashville, and new cities, towns and villages where the time has fully come to do the great work. Applied to workers, God’s cause being constantly progressing means giving youth a solid practical education so they can soon bear the burdens older workers now carry, bringing young men to the front as colporteurs, canvassers and ministers, using those established in truth who walk with God, pray much, earnestly gather all light, and put forth highest mental and moral energies in consecration and self-sacrifice, with success proportionate to consecration rather than endowments and dependent on God working with human effort, continuing despite opposition, trials and prejudice by looking to Jesus for orders and self-control. The organization erected by God’s direction for prosperity and success, worked out at great cost of study, prayer for wisdom, sacrifice and conflict which made His people what they are, is ordained by God and is to stand strengthened, established and settled, with none attempting to tear it down, dispense with it, or unsettle minds about it.
Progress must continue and the wheels of progress must not be blocked, for unjust criticism and words of censure against God’s appointed instrumentalities hinders the work God is doing through them and reproaches God Himself. Those in positions of trust, though finite and liable to err while seeking perfection of character, are to be respected and guarded from unjust criticism so the work advances as God directs. Specific applications include acting faithfully as stewards to prepare a people for the coming crisis by advancing steadily in holiness and fidelity, health-reform educators pressing on to teach preparation of food both wholesome and appetizing despite reluctance in order to stem moral decline, and consecrated medical evangelist labor in large cities in humility under the Holy Spirit in the Lord’s order, ceasing unbelieving fears, with promise of a precious work accomplished. Help arriving unexpectedly after continued prayer in financial crisis, like the waters opening before Israel when every way seemed closed, shows the same deliverance, while opposition to securing properties He has appointed for health reform dishonors the Lord and loses special advantages He desires His people to have. Lack of faith, self-chosen plans, leaders’ resistance, unbelieving opposition, and waiting to be moved hold the work back, while living faith, spiritual understanding, united action under the Holy Spirit, refusal to give way to opposition or discouragement, and continued praying with faith that receives answers allow humble ranks to face difficulties, advance from one degree of success to another, and see answered prayer.
Growing in Truth and Holiness
“Go forward” forbids stopping the work of reform where Luther, Calvin and Zwingli stopped, and forbids letting it become stereotyped at the death of the Wesleys. Truth is constantly opening and present truth shines in clear rays, so doctrines and faith must not be anchored on any favorite human leader or refuse to advance beyond where that man led. The great Leader is constantly advancing, commanding His people to move forward step by step through conflict and trial toward final victory, leading willing followers to advanced truth and greater light while those who refuse are left in the rear. Those who will not open their eyes to wondrous things out of the law become adversaries to those who see and follow the Leader, lift the cross, deny self, and accept reproach and false accusation for unpopular truth, yet His people are to hold to the truth even when it brings opposition, suffering or death. The command is a call for continual advancement in truth and righteousness rather than standing still in inherited practices, for greater light brings responsibility to keep progressing in knowledge and love of God.
The Lord’s command through His messengers is to go forward into revival and light in clear distinct rays leading to the magnifying of Christ. Above all this means proclaiming the knowledge of the Father and the Son, and advancing with the present-truth message that Christ is our righteousness. At Minneapolis God was about to revive His people and bless them, but Satan determined to hold them away from that light so the rich blessing would not come upon the delegates and be carried to the churches. He raised alarm beforehand over the law in Galatians and armed them to resist everything coming from the men from the Pacific Coast, so that prejudice and unbelief, jealousy and evil-surmising, delusion and false impressions barred hearts against the precious light presented. It rebukes listlessness and faithlessness in front ranks who wait to be moved against their own will instead of discerning providence, leaving them far behind where they should be as a living church reflecting light.
Going forward means not standing still where men think they are firm as rock at duty, but opening the mind, uniting with the messengers He sends, and accepting the message that bears the imprint of the Most High instead of watching to question and doubt. To those who go forward God promises to be with them, to go before them as front-guard with His glory as rereward, with the richest beams of light shining from His throne upon them. It calls for continuing to learn and digging deeper instead of settling for surface knowledge or measuring self by others’ standard and stopping when satisfied at reaching what others have reached. It forbids binding teachers and ministers to teach only what has been taught before or measuring them by human judgment, and requires receiving fresh manna from heaven, with God’s Word flashing new light that reveals the safe path more fully and with messengers unrolling the scroll to meet changing conditions. What God gives His servants to speak today is God’s message for this time even if it would not have been present truth twenty years before, and to stop receiving light is to refuse light. This failure belongs to churches in all ages and is repeated when a warning message from heaven is given and nominal churches refuse it and hold together against it for fear of danger, while the richest treasures of truth stand open and needed by every mind.
It means continual advancement heavenward in the way of truth and righteousness, purifying souls by obeying the truth, advancing steadily in holiness and fidelity as stewards preparing a people for the coming crisis, and continuing in welldoing till warfare is over with increased knowledge and love of God. It means awakening dormant latent energy, training capabilities in faith under the Holy Spirit’s guidance, cultivating God-given abilities, becoming laborers together with God, and training Christian workers so every church becomes a power in convincing the world of Bible truth and character is formed after the divine pattern. Hearing or knowing God’s word is not enough, for truth becomes saving truth only as it is obeyed, put into practice, and shapes mind and character, and such obedience brings the blessings His word reveals. The command is applied to advancing in spiritual experience by consecrating self to God and trusting His word, with Christ’s presence giving courage to meet difficulty and perform whatever duty He requires.
Pressing onward toward the Light of life means victory rather than dwelling sorrowfully on past wrongs, since regret brings weakness and discouragement, not healing or strength. Duties must be performed by faith even when reasons cannot be seen and results cannot be calculated, moving on in God’s strength and freedom while cherishing hope and trust in God’s mercy in Christ, for all life work laid out by God is surrounded by promises for those who take heed to them. It means taking upward steps and not downward steps, holding position in the elevated path cast up for the ransomed to walk in, the highway of holiness, as steadfast good soldiers of Jesus Christ while still in the enemy’s country, which requires the wisdom and strength and courage the Holy Spirit imparts. Fidelity shown through obedience lets believers’ light shine conspicuously before the world and leads others to glorify God.
To refuse is to stand still saying I will do as my fathers have done, remaining for generations without advance, holding old arbitrary laws and barbaric practices, and failing even to live up to the light and conscientious piety of the fathers. It means refusing to walk in increased light shining from God’s word upon the pathway, refusing the conditions on which fulfillment of the promise hangs, and opposing those who embrace and walk in the light. This leaves worshipers without wisdom and power from above, unable to reckon themselves dead unto sin and alive unto God, sitting in darkness under great condemnation for the abundant grace and truth refused. The travelers’ crossing of the hazardous Mississippi on ice while praying and trusting Israel’s God stands as an example of trusting God and proceeding despite danger under this command.
The command given to the children of Israel while being led to the Promised Land still binds God’s people today and is spoken again by Christ as Leader. It calls them to pray and believe and move ahead even when the end cannot be seen from the beginning and every step cannot be seen clearly in advance, without self-sufficiency and self-exaltation but filled with hope and courage. Holding back until the whole way is clear shows little faith and little of the spirit of self-denial and self-sacrifice. If His people keep the way of the Lord and walk in humility and in His counsel they will receive all needed help, for the Lord is helper and protector and angels guard His faithful ones, and humble prayer brings His self-revelation as a God who can deliver in every emergency to the end of time while the church must strive with difficulties so His work may stand pure without fraud or intrigue. It commands stopping talk of what cannot be done and speaking and doing what can be done, pressing through seeming impossibilities in constant growth in knowledge of Christ toward unity of the faith and the full stature of Christ.