Salvation belongs to the L-RD

Who accomplishes our salvation?

Who is the crucial Hero of Redemption? Who does the heavy lifting?

In Parashat Beshalach the answer is clear: it is the L-RD Himself who is present in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. He is present in the person of the Angel of the L-RD (Exodus 13:21-22, 15:19; compare also Exodus 23:20-23).

When the L-RD works His salvation there is not much for us to do, only what Moses says to the people:

Fear not. Stand firm, and see the salvation of the L-RD, which He works for you today.
For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The L-RD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent. (Exodus 14:13-14)

When it comes to salvation and redemption, it is the L-RD who does the heavy lifting, not us! We are only called to trust Him and follow in the path He makes for us.

The Crucial Hero

At the crucial moment the Angel of G-d is the hero we need. He intervenes and makes the difference between Israel and Egypt. He stands between them:

Then the Angel of G-d who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel… (Exodus 14:19-20).

Ultimate Redemption

The Angel of the L-RD is also the crucial Hero in the ultimate redemption as He came to us in the person of the Messiah.

“The L-RD will fight for you, and you only have to be silent” applies also to the redemption He brings. Salvation cannot be accomplished by our endeavors. It is His work; we are only called upon to trust in what He does. Salvation belongs to the L-RD (Psalm 3:8).

We would love to talk about this. Don’t hesitate to use the chat option.