Nahshon

Can I introduce you to one of my very favorite characters in the Old Testament? He, to me, is one who was indeed strong and of a good courage.

His name is Nahshon and he is Aaron’s Brother-in-law. He’s mentioned 8 times in the Old Testament and a couple of times in the New. He’s given some amazing privileges and honors in the Old Testament.
But holy writ doesn’t tell us anything about him.

There is a wonderful Talmudic legend that describes his courage. Tradition has it that when Pharaoh’s army comes into view and the children of Israel are backed up against the Red Sea, Nahshon and Moses are sitting on a rock overlooking the Red Sea talking. Nahshon says to Moses: “We’re in dire circumstances here Moses. What are you going to do? What would God Almighty have us do?”

Moses replies: “God wants us to go through the water.” Nahshon questions, “Through the water?” Moses says: “Yup.”

Then Nahshon replied: “That’s good enough for me!” And he jumped off the rock and began walking in the water of the Sea. When the water reached in his nose---the sea finally parted and the rest of the children of Israel follow. He didn’t choose easy---he choose the path of most resistance. He chose courage.

Nahshon was the first to experience the mighty miracle of the parting of the Red Sea because he courageously trusted God enough to step into that water. He so strongly believed that God would not fail or forsake him that it didn’t matter the size of the Sea or the depth of that water. And because of his courage he prevailed and so did the rest of the children of Israel that day.