Tell the people to march – Preaching
Preaching Outline in Exodus 14:15 – “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry out to me? Tell the children of Israel to march.”
Objective: To show that God calls us to action, even in the face of seemingly impossible circumstances. He doesn’t want us to stand still in doubt or fear, but to move forward in faith, trusting in His power and direction.
Introduction to Exodus 14:15
Imagine the scene: the Israelites are between the Red Sea in front and the Egyptian army behind. There seems to be no way out. Panic seizes the people, who begin to murmur against Moses, saying: “Why have you brought us here? It would have been better for us to remain as slaves in Egypt!” (Exodus 14:11-12). However, God interrupts this crisis with a clear and powerful command: “Tell the people to march.”
This command is more than a practical instruction; it is a call to faith and action. Today, we want to reflect on what it means to “march forward” in the Christian life. God continues to tell his people to move forward, even when the path seems uncertain or blocked.
Development
The desperate situation
When the sea is ahead and the enemy behind
The Israelites were in a seemingly hopeless situation. In front of them was the Red Sea, a natural barrier impossible to cross. Behind them came the Egyptian army, determined to capture them. They were surrounded, with no visible way out.
We too often find ourselves in similar situations. Perhaps you’re facing financial difficulties, family problems, emotional or spiritual crises. Everything around you seems to say: “There is no hope.” But it was at that very moment that God spoke: “Tell the people to march.”
God doesn’t want us to be paralyzed by fear or doubt. He calls us to move forward, even when we can’t see the way. After all, he is the God who opens seas and makes the impossible happen.
God’s command – Advance in Faith
When God said to Moses, “Why do you cry out to me?”, he wasn’t rebuking prayer, but calling the people to action. Prayer is essential, but there are times when God has already given us His direction and expects us to move forward in obedience.
“Tell the people to march” is a command to act in faith. The Israelites needed to take the first step towards the sea, even if they didn’t understand how it would open up. God had already promised to deliver them, but they needed to demonstrate their trust in him by moving forward.
This is how we are called today. We often wait for clear signs or perfect conditions before we act. But God asks us to march forward, even when the path seems uncertain. He goes ahead of us, preparing the ground and opening doors that seem closed.
The miracle depends on obedience
When the Israelites began to march towards the sea, something extraordinary happened: God sent a strong wind that split the waters, creating a dry path for them to cross (Exodus 14:21-22). This miracle only happened because the people obeyed God’s command.
This teaches us that God’s miracles often depend on our obedience. He may be waiting for us to take the first step and then act on our behalf. We can’t expect him to do everything himself while we remain inert.
Remember Naaman, the Syrian commander who suffered from leprosy. He was only healed after he followed the prophet Elisha’s instructions and dipped seven times in the river Jordan (2 Kings 5:10-14). Healing came after obedience. In the same way, God wants to bless us, but he expects us to move forward in faith.
Marching is an act of trust
Marching doesn’t just mean walking; it’s an act of trust in God. The Israelites had no idea how the sea would be opened, but they took the first step because they trusted in God’s promise.
In the Christian life, “marching on” means moving forward even when circumstances seem contrary. It means trusting that God is in control, even when we don’t understand his plans. Psalm 37:5 encourages us: “Commit your way to the Lord, trust in him, and he will bring it to pass.”
When we take this step of faith, we are declaring that we believe in God’s power and faithfulness. He will never ask us to march without going ahead of us. Isaiah 41:10 reminds us: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God; I will uphold you, I will help you, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Conclusion
God keeps saying to his people: “Tell them to march.” He doesn’t want us to stand still, looking at the difficulties or lamenting our circumstances. He calls us to action, to faith and to trust in His power.
If you’re facing a “Red Sea” in your life today – a seemingly impossible situation – remember that God is ready to open paths where there is no way out. But he expects you to take the first step. March forward in faith, trusting that He is ahead of you, guiding your steps and preparing the ground.
Preaching Outline in Exodus 14:15 – “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry out to me? Tell the children of Israel to march.”
More Preaching Outlines
- Exodus 14:8 – The moment of departure
- Where the Lamb is – Genesis 22:7
- Preparing to meet God – Amos 4:12
