Summary: (NET) v.31 The chapter records both a message of salvation and of judgment. Like the earlier account of deliverance at the Passover, this chapter can be a lesson on deliverance from present troubles—if God could do this for Israel, there is no trouble too great for him to overcome. The passage can also be understood as a picture (at least) of the deliverance at the final judgment on the world. But the Israelites used this account for a paradigm of the power of God: namely, God is able to deliver his people from danger because he is the sovereign Lord of creation. His people must learn to trust him, even in desperate situations; they must fear him and not the situation. God can bring any threat to an end by bringing his power to bear in judgment on the wicked.
Repeated words:
(1) seex3=(NET) antithetical parallelism between seeing salvation and seeing the Egyptians, as well as the threefold repetition of the word “see” cannot be accidental [for the Egyptians that you see today you will never, ever see again v.13].
(2) were terrified v.10, fear v.13 because they saw the Egyptians were marching after them. Fear at this time was reasonable if they did not have any help. Moses told them that they did have help from the LORD. HE was going to fight for them and save them.
(3) Stand firm, be still v.13, 14. God is not just the kind of helper who just assists you. He is the One that takes all the responsibility of you.
v.13 Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand firm and see the salvation of the LORD that he will provide for you today
(4) 10b The Israelites cried out to the LORD, 11 and they said to Moses
(NET) Their cry to the LORD was proper and necessary. But their words to Moses were a rebuke and disloyal, showing a lack of faith and understanding. Their arrogance failed them in the crisis because it was built on the arm of flesh. Moses would have to get used to this murmuring, but here he takes it in stride and gives them the proper instructions. They had cried to the LORD, and now the LORD would deliver.
Reflection: I might be like the Israelites and thought that complaint might help me in time of trouble. The 3 commands Moses said, 1, do not fear; 2. Stand firm, and 3. see the salvation remind me that 1. fear is reasonable, but not helpful, 2. God alone is sufficient, all we need to do is stand firm, 3. I am not without help. See! God is my help.
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