Zachariah 2:5 And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will be its glory within.’
In the medieval times thick stones and lime-mortar were the building materials used to build strongholds and forts. The walls were normally decorated and the height was about 36m – 40m and width around 21m – 25m. The massive structures were built without any modern engineering equipment. The hands of human slaves were used to build strongholds. In the Middle Age period there were no borders between each race and their territories hence, strongholds were crucial military constructions and a defence mechanism to protect against the attack of enemies.
However, to the children of the Lord, God Himself will be a wall of fire and a stronghold of protection. The Lord God draws a line around His children to protect them from lethal assaults. When the brutal army of the Pharaoh chased the half a million Hebrew slaves, the Lord not only split the Red Sea but He stood between the Pharaoh’s army and fleeing Hebrews as a wall of protection. Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long (Exodus 14:19-20).
The angel of the Lord went behind the terrified throng and stood as a stronghold of protection between the sadistic Pharaoh’s army that was chasing behind them. There was darkness on one side of the Egyptian army but light on the side of the Israelites and all night the army could not come near the multitude. It was only after the last man of the Hebrew slaves stepped safely on the shore could the Egyptians advance further. But as the army raced through the divine pathway, the walls of water of the Red Sea closed it and drowned the Pharaoh’s chariots and horsemen!
The Lord is our stronghold:
1. Withdrew: The angel of God who was marching in front of Israel withdrew and went behind them to protect them. When you cannot see God in front of you, be rest assured that He’s got your back. Any plots and ploy connived behind your back will be thwarted.
2. Wield: The Arm of the Lord wielded the invisible sword of judgement against the brutality of the Egyptians. We don’t have to fight our battles. Be still and know that God’s fighting the battle.
3. Wall: The wall of protection provides security to God’s children but strikes the enemy with confusion. During the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion (vs 24).
The firewall of protection is a stronghold of safety for God’s children. God’s got your back!
Exodus 14:25b And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.”
Prayer: Father God, as long as you are the firewall of protection around me no weapon formed against me can prosper. Amen.
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