'IYSH MILCHAMAH

“Adonai is a warrior; Adonai is his name.”
Exodus 15:3

Following the plagues that Adonai unleashed on the Egyptians, the people of Isra’el were released to go. At one point Pharaoh had agreed to let the men go, but the women would have to stay behind (Ex 10:11). Later on he agreed to let the men and women go, but the animals would have to stay behind (Ex 10:24). Now, with the death of the first born throughout Egypt, Pharaoh gave his permission for the Israelites to leave with all they had. And the Egyptians were so ready to have Isra’el leave that they allowed themselves to be plundered. But as Isra’el made its way to the Promised Land, the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart once more (Ex 14:8). The pursuit was on and Egypt chased after Isra’el, catching up with them near the Red Sea.
The Bible records the emotions of Israel, stating they were filled with terror. They cried out to Moshe, questioning him as to why they had to come all this way just to die. Their hearts were filled with fear. “Why couldn’t you have just left us to die Moshe? We may have been mistreated, but at least we were alive. We may have been slaves, but at least we were not pursued.” But Moshe answered the people, and gave them a promise delivered from Adonai, Himself. “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Ex 14:14).
The being still part is hard. I have been there before, pressed between two rocks as I try to wiggle myself out. I come to a point where I think I know best and can see the way out, but then Adonai tells me to be still. In moments of stillness I feel like I am useless. If I can just get out of this spot I’m in I will be free. What I have come to learn, though, is that my forced freedom is worth nothing. For instance, when I first tried to break free of addition, “I” tried. “I” did it on my strength. “I” made changes. “I” set boundaries. “I” made the rules. But then “I” again fell and landed into a greater mess than what I was trying to leave.
Isra’el could have done the same. They could have surrendered back to Egypt and found themselves in greater turmoil than they had just left. But they had Moshe, who was listening to Adonai. They had the appointed one leading them, as he himself was being led by the LORD. So following Adonai’s command, Moshe stretched out his staff over the waters and the Red Sea split open, creating the out that Adonai had ordained. And as Isra’el found their out, so also I found mine. It came in being still and letting Adonai be God and demoting myself to a position of following rather than leading.
Crossed over and on the other side, the Isra’elites rejoiced in the monumental feat that Adonai had just completed. Not only had He split the Sea open, but He also engulfed those of Egypt who were brave enough to try to pursue them. His promise of never seeing the Egyptians again after this day was fulfilled (Ex 14:13). As such, Isra’el celebrated. The song of Miryam was heard throughout the camp and together they declared Exodus 15:3. “Adonai is a warrior; Adonai is his name.” Because they were still, they opened themselves up for Adonai to come in and show Himself as the champion. Adonai became known as ‘Iysh Milchamah, the Man of War.
Perhaps you, like the Israelites, find yourself caught between an army bent on your destruction, and a dead end of a sea. Maybe you are so scared because all around you all you see is one trap after another. You are weighing the odds between surrender and drowning, and although neither sounds inviting, you feel you must chose. But I say to you the words of Moses. “Adonai will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Look, here He comes! Here comes the Man of War. He will fight for you.

Exodus 14:26 – 15:26