Exodus 14:1-31
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea.
3 For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.
4 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so.
5 And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?
6 And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him:
7 And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them.
8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand.
9 But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon.
10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.
11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?
12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
15 And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:
16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.
17 And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.
21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
23 And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,
25 And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.
26 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.
27 And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrewa the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.
28 And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.
29 But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.
31 And Israel saw that great workb which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.
Exodus 14:2. Before Pi-hahiroth. The Lord led the people into the straits between the hills, in order that Pharaoh and his hosts might be overwhelmed in the sea; and that Israel might see his salvation, and find a quiet passage in the desert.
Exodus 14:7. Six hundred chariots. A captain or valiant man was in each chariot, his armour bearer, a man of valour also, besides a man to guide the horses, who had a shield, and probably other weapons. The army of Pharaoh is estimated by Josephus at 50,000 horse, and 200,000 foot. All the host of Pharaoh was there, Exodus 14:28. How bitter are the dregs of the cup to hardened men!
Exodus 14:19. The Angel of God. The Messiah, as in other places, showing a dark and frowning aspect on the Egyptians, and a cheering light of joy on the Hebrews.
Exodus 14:21. The waters were divided, as the Jordan on another occasion; they stood on a heap. Psalms 78:13. It was not a driving back of the tongue of the sea, but a real division by Jehovah's presence. The bottom of the sea became dry, and formed a wide opening like the wilderness.
Exodus 14:25. Took off the chariot wheels; that is, he entangled or overthrew their chariots.
REFLECTIONS.
In this chapter we see the Israelites saved, and the Egyptians destroyed; and consequently the whole land brought to the verge of ruin for its wicked counsel against the Lord's people, and for rejecting the ministry and miracles of Moses. These things are written that all ages might fear; for a course of crimes, and the habitual neglect of devotion, originating in hardness of heart and unbelief, will surely bring families and nations to destruction. And it is very awful to add, that when once individuals, or nations, are in the full route of ruin, they seldom pause till precipitated into the gulph their wickedness has prepared.
In the weak faith and great fears of the Hebrews, on seeing themselves pursued, we see that the weakness of man is such as needs support every moment. The idea of danger seemed to banish even the recollection of past miracles. Conscious therefore of our utter insufficiency, let us for ourselves and children, live every moment dependent on providence and grace.
But their case was extraordinary, human means were insufficient; therefore they were exhorted to stand still, and see the salvation of God. In the treasures of his wisdom he had a salvation in store far above their expectation; and in all the calamities and exigencies of life, when our own counsel and efforts fail, let us calmly give up our affairs into the hands of providence. It is good that a man should hope, and quietly wait for the salvation of God.
In a moment the Lord dissipated their fears; the cloud removed from the head to the rear of their camp, and kept the enemy in awe. In like manner God has often stood between his trembling church and danger. Often would Zion have been destroyed, had not God become her shield and high defence. Often should we have run into ruin, had not the Lord interposed for our safety. Oh how much we owe to the arm of strength, and to the everlasting presence of God with his church.
The Israelites, notwithstanding all their fears, were commanded to go forward. What, go forward when the sea was before them, and the mountains on either hand! Yes, oh my soul, do not fear to obey the Lord under a dark and beclouded providence. There is nothing in this world but the alien host, armed against the Lord and against righteousness. Go forward, surrounded with mountains and hills; go forward through the deep, the Lord will open thy way, and the enemies thou seest today thou shalt see no more for ever.
The Lord saw the presumption of the Egyptian host, accustomed now to despise his word and miracles, till at length they despised them to their total destruction. He looked through the cloud. The fire of his countenance assailed their souls with the terrors of hell. Now they were entangled in the deep, and surrounded with the net of the Almighty. Now the oppression and murder of the Hebrews would obtrude on their sight. Now they would curse their gods, their magicians, and make no scruple to kill one another in efforts to escape. Now Pharaoh received the answer of his insolence, Who is the Lord that I should obey him? Oh what rage what horrors what fury! What cutting down with their swords of every man that stood in their way! Sinners, unless you get a new heart, this is the company with whom you must for ever dwell. All may see what awaits the ungodly in the great day, when the Lord Jesus shall look from heaven through his cloud, and be revealed in flaming fire, with his mighty angels, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel. Then Christ shall be glorified in his saints, and admired in all them that believe. Israel also, when they saw this great work, believed the Lord, and Moses his servant. Let past deliverances strengthen our faith, and encourage us to hope for future mercies.