Exodus 13:17-14:31

 (1) Overview

13:17  When Pharaoh released the people, God did not lead them by the way to the land of the Philistines, although that was nearby, for God said, “Lest the people change their minds and return to Egypt when they experience war.

Why would the people change their minds and wanted to return to Egypt when they faced the war? I think it was because the Egyptians were strong in their military. People would regret leaving the strong and secure Egypt when they experienced war with other countries.

The concern of the LORD came true when the Israelites knew that the Egyptians army were coming out after them 4:11-12

(2) repeated phrases:

a. the army, chariots, and horses of Egypt vs the army of Israelites

v.18b the Israelites went up from the land of Egypt prepared for battle

14:6 Then he prepared his chariots and took his army with him. 14:7 He took six hundred select chariots, and all the rest of the chariots of Egypt, and officers on all of them.

v.8b Now the Israelites were going out defiantly.

(NET) Heb “with a high hand”; the expression means “defiantly,” “boldly,” or “with confidence.” The phrase is usually used for arrogant sin and pride, the defiant fist, as it were. The image of the high hand can also mean the hand raised to deliver a blow (Job 38:15). So the narrative here builds tension between these two resolute forces.

v.9b all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh and his horsemen and his army

b. The battle was more than the flesh of Israelites against the Egyptians. The LORD fought for them. His weapons were the pillar of fire and cloud which stopped the Egyptain from coming closer. Then the wind v.21 swept the water apart, and finally the water closed up and drowned the Egyptians. 

14:14 The LORD will fight for you, and you can be still.”

v.24 In the morning watch the LORD looked down on the Egyptian army through the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw the Egyptian army into a panic.14:25 He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving, and the Egyptians said, “Let’s flee from Israel, for the LORD fights for them against Egypt!”

v.26 so that the waters may flow back on the Egyptians, on their chariots, and on their horsemen!”

v.28 The water returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen and all the army of Pharaoh

(3) Reflection: For sure, the army, the horses and the chariots brought security to people, especially during the war time. What is your source of security during the pandemic?

However, they were not invincible. When they were used to fight against the people of God they were useless compared to the weapons of God. They could not be trusted any more. Do you feel like what you trusted is no longer reliable?

Finally, God said a couple times that the LORD fights for them. It was more than flesh and blood that we have. Do we see only flesh and blood? Or we can stand still and watch how the LORD is fighting for us today? 14:14 The LORD will fight for you, and you can be still.” 

(4) Remember, that war would not take place if not the LORD allowed that to happen. 

14:2 “Tell the Israelites that they must turn and camp before ...14:3 Pharaoh will think regarding the Israelites, ‘They are wandering around confused in the land...

They Israelites did as what the LORD told them to do and turned v.4.

Perhaps they did not fully understand the implication of their turning, but the Egyptians would not overtake them if they did not do this. 

Why did God do this? 

14:31 When Israel saw the great power that the LORD had exercised over the Egyptians, they feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses.

God had saved Israelites out of Egypt, but were they trusting God's weapons and not man's military power anymore? Are we?

Audrey