by Steve Carpenter
The Red Sea Crossing in Exodus chapter 14 is one of the greatest and most miraculous deliverances recorded in the Holy Scriptures. God heard the cries of the children of Israel while suffering under the bondage and oppression of Egypt and He determined to come down and deliver them with a mighty hand. This intense drama and unprecedented deliverance culminated with Moses and the children of Israel at the banks of the Red Sea as Pharaoh and his Egyptian chariots were approaching from behind them.
There are several things to note in this remarkable scenario but let me draw your attention to a few key verses and take the liberty to make, what I believe, are some prophetic parallels to what is currently taking place on a global scale, specifically in relationship to present day Israel and the believers on the continent of Asia, particularly South East Asia.
For the Honor of His Name
It’s important to realize that the Lord’s specific instructions to Moses on precisely where to camp and what would unfold with Pharaoh and his chariots carried a divine purpose. The place of Israel’s deliverance was predetermined. The Lord’s purpose was to “gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord.”
Stand Still and See the Salvation of the Lord
In Exodus chapter 14, the children of Israel find themselves in a very vulnerable position. They began to voice their fears and frustrations to Moses who responded to them by saying in verse 13-14,
“Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”
Moses had clearly heard from the Lord. He knew that the strong hand of the Lord which had brought the children of Israel out of Egypt was also going to bring them into the land that He had promised. Moses wanted to calm the fears and quiet the doubts of the children of Israel and so he brought assurance to them with this faith filled proclamation. “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.”
Go Forward
The Lord’s response to Moses is profoundly clear. The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.”
Israel’s mandate under the leadership of Moses was to simply move forward and enter into their divine inheritance. Facing the obstacles before them and fearing their pursuers from behind left them powerless. The power is in the promise of God when it is acted upon. So the key for Israel then, as it is for us today, is to move forward upon the word of God and His precious and powerful promises to us.
A Strong East Wind
“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided.” Exodus 14:21
In the historical account of Israel’s deliverance, the scriptures reveal that the Lord “caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind”. So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
The salvation of Israel was brought forth by God in sending a strong east wind.
I highly recommend Peter Tsukahira’s insightful and prophetic book, God’s Tsunami. In it, Tsukahira chronicles the movement of the gospel as a wave from it’s origins in Jerusalem and then tracks its western momentum throughout Europe, the America’s and Asia. Throughout history, this gospel wave has been growing in its pace and intensity as it is making it’s way back across Africa, India and the Middle East to culminate its global sweep and finish where it started, in Jerusalem.
The Kingdom Family in Asia
Considering this global perspective in light of the Exodus account, I believe that God is raising up the Asian nations as a “strong east wind” with a mandate and an anointing from God to be a part of His end time salvation for Israel.
China, Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia, Brunei, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, East Timor, Taiwan, Philippines, North and South Korea and Japan all have a vital role to play in God’s present plan for the Middle East. Many efforts, such as the Back to Jerusalem movement and the Asia Gatherings being held in Hong Kong are tangible confirmations of this honorable call.
God is raising up ministries in Israel and throughout the Middle East who like Moses, will stretch out their hand over the sea to see the salvation of the Lord. Meanwhile, God is raising up individuals, businesses and ministries in Asia who, like the strong east wind, will be part of God’s answer to release His miraculous power and provision bringing deliverance to His people and fulfillment to His purposes in Israel and throughout the region.
May we all “hear what the Spirit is saying” and partner together to fulfill God’s great and glorious purposes.