#26 – Exodus 13:17-14:12
When Elation Turns to Fright
The children of Israel have left Egypt. They know their destination is the land promised to their forbears by G-d Himself. However, none of them have been there, and there is no GPS to indicate the route. But the L-RD has something even better to guide His people: His presence. So all will be well – right?
The tender heart of G-d
We have seen how often the narrator of our story includes insights into G-d’s thoughts which reveal His character. So here:
Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, G-d did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for G-d said, “The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.” Hence G-d led the people around by the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea; (Exodus 14:17-18.)
The shortest route from Egypt to Canaan would have been what the Romans would later call the Via Maris, “the Way of the Sea” along the southeastern coast of the Mediterranean. The Philistines, who will play a significant role in centuries to come in Israel’s history, were formidable fighters. Doubtless many of the Hebrews were in good physical shape from the rigors of their labors. But they were neither trained nor experienced in warfare as yet. Knowing this, the L-RD plotted a more southern route, heading east for the Sinai Peninsula.
King David reflected on G-d’s tender heart in Psalm 103:
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the L-RD has compassion on those who fear Him.
For He Himself knows our frame;
He is mindful that we are but dust.
(Psalm 103:13-14)
Details, details
We learn the sons of Israel went up in martial array from the land of Egypt. (Exodus 13:18 NASB). As noted above, we have no indication that the Hebrews were trained fighters. Moreover, in the list of the plunder donated by the Egyptians there is no mention of swords, spears, or other weapons of warfare. More likely the Hebrew term indicates this mass of people was already organized into manageable groups, moving forward in orderly form under Moses’ leadership.
In another reference to the Genesis record, specifically where Joseph instructed the Jewish people regarding his remains, Moses took the bones of Joseph with him. (Exodus 13:19.)
We have our first geographic markers along the exodus route. Then they set out from Succoth and camped in Etham on the edge of the wilderness. (Exodus 13:20.)
Divine guidance
How often we have prayed for the L-RD to show us the way along life’s journey. If there ever is a time we desire the L-RD’s presence, protection, and guidance it’s when the path ahead seems uncertain or dangerous. That’s exactly the situation faced by the Jewish people. And G-d is there for them!
The L-RD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. (Exodus 13:21-22.)
The L-RD continues to speak to Moses along the way, as well. He gives both travel instructions (e.g., turn back, camp there) and informs of future actions (His own as well as Pharaoh’s). (Exodus 14:1-4 NASB.)
Back on the attack
When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his servants had a change of heart toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” (Exodus 14:5.)
Here is another classic example of remorse rather than repentance. True heart repentance is evidenced by a lasting change of attitudes and behaviors. Pharaoh already had an established track record of making promises in order to have G-d remove His judgments, then reneging.[1]
Pharaoh and the Egyptians wake up to the realization their slave labor force is gone. We are not surprised at their response:
So he made his chariot ready and took his people with him; and he took six hundred select chariots, and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. The L-RD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he chased after the sons of Israel as the sons of Israel were going out boldly. Then the Egyptians chased after them with all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and they overtook them camping by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon. (Exodus 14:6-9.)
A fearful response
G-d has demonstrated His power 10 times over. The children of Israel are now free – or thought they were. Someone checked the rearview mirror, saw Pharaoh’s entire army, horses and chariots included, heading in their direction, and sounded the alarm. And a fearful alarm it was.
As Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the L-RD. (Exodus 14:10.)
We’re all familiar with the very human response when terror strikes. “Oh my G-d!!” or an equivalent seems to tumble from the lips of even hardened agnostics. Reasonable people will agree that a pursuing army is cause for real fear. The Jewish people had endured prolonged torment from the Egyptians. No one need inform them of the consequences when the powerful military again will have them in their grasp.
“Help us, L-RD!!” is a prayer with which we can relate. Perhaps you can also relate to this:
Then they said to Moses, “Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt? Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”
(Exodus 14:11-12)
Sarcasm can mask anger. No mask is needed here. This incident parallels the earlier chapters of Exodus. Times are tough. G-d’s people cry out. No relief is in sight. Finally, Moses shows up with a word of encouragement (“We’re getting out of here!”) and hope springs up. Then, in the first instance Pharaoh says, “Forget it – and work harder.” Here the human response is, “Yeah, we escaped – and now were dead.”
Proverbs 13:12 states, Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life. How much more difficult is it when deferred hope becomes a reality, but the “tree of life” is torn away before it has opportunity to take root?
Fear factor/Misery index
The thrill of escaping Egypt – at long last! – is short-lived. The children of Israel “lifted up their eyes” and their hearts fell. The charging Egyptian army produced great fear. A fear grounded in the reality of a desperate situation. Unarmed fugitives stand no chance against chariots and armed horsemen skilled in battle. The Jewish people here epitomize the expression “between the devil and the deep blue sea.”
Let’s face it: for many people, life is a roller coaster. Our emotions – including fear – rise and fall as our circumstances change. We cry out to G-d for rescue and relief, then despair when suffering is prolonged.
Where is G-d?
We have seen the L-RD present in multiple ways in this passage.
He is purposeful (and tender) in choosing the best route for His people (13:17-18; 14:2).
He is going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light (13:21-21).
He tells Moses in advance of Pharaoh’s thoughts (14:3).
He hardens Pharaoh’s heart (14:4;8).
What’s more, He reveals His sovereign purpose in arranging for Pharaoh to come storming after the Jewish people. …and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the L-RD.” (Exodus 14:4c.)
Perhaps the greatest lesson for us to remember is this: G-d is purposeful in all that He does, and His purposes are always good – even when my circumstances are difficult.
There is no end to which G-d will not go for the glory of His own name. He puts His people in very vulnerable positions where massive foes mobilize against them. (Think COVID-19 or whatever else is threatening your safety, security and comfort right now.)
Do we consider that perhaps there are people around us who don’t yet know the L-RD who may be drawn to Him when we respond to crises with humility, faith, and obedience? It is precisely in our overcoming the greatest challenges that G-d gets the greatest glory.
Think of how differently we would feel about:
Moses – if the Red Sea were a mere puddle to jump
Joshua – if he kicked over a sandcastle at the beach rather than defeating a walled city.
David – if he bullied a little kid on the playground instead of slaying a giant foe.
Esther – if all she did was win a beauty pageant rather than risk her life for her people.
Daniel – if he played in his room with his tabby cat instead of facing down hungry lions.
No, we name our kids after these heroes of the faith because they confronted real foes, overcame tremendous odds, and acted boldly in the face of death because they trusted G-d.
It’s human nature to want our struggles to cease. It’s G-d’s purpose to help us be victorious in them.
It’s fine for us to acknowledge we’re not up to the challenge. Our wisdom, experience and resources are often insufficient for us to have confidence of winning.
But for the believer it’s not okay to doubt G-d’s wisdom or sufficiency. His wisdom is rich, His judgments unsearchable, His ways unfathomable (Romans 11:33-34 NASB) to mere humans. His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NASB).
[1] After the fourth plague (flies) Pharaoh bargained with Moses about the terms of the agreement to let the Jewish people have a “worship break.” After the seventh and eight plagues (hail and locusts) Pharaoh admitted his sin and offered new terms to Moses, then did not follow through. Plague nine (darkness) brought the most expansive offer, which was also retracted. Pharaoh wants his circumstances, not his heart, to change. How often is that true of us?
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