Exodus 14

From Theologica

Revision as of 19:12, 10 January 2008

Overview

The Defeat of Egypt (14:1 - 14:31)

Pharaoh pursues (14:1 - 14:12)

Observation

• 14:1 - The Lord spoke to Moses concerning what would happen to Pharaoh
• 14:2 - God tells Moses to tell Israel to turn back and camp before Pi-Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea
  • Israel is to camp in front of Baal-zephon, oposite it, by the sea
  • Pi-hahiroth
  • Migdol - from wikipedia "Migdol, or migdal, is a Hebrew word (מגדּלה מגדּל , מגדּל מגדּול) which means either a tower (from its size or height), an elevated stage (a rostrum or pulpit), or a raised bed (within a river). Physically, it can mean fortified land, i.e. a walled city or castle; or elevated land, as in a raised bed, like a platform, possibly a lookout. Figuratively, it has connotations of proud authority."
  • Baal-zephon
• 14:3 - By Israel doing this, it will entice Pharaoh to say they are wandering aimlessly and that they are trapped.
• 14:4 - God will harden Pharaoh's heart.
  • Pharaoh will then chase after Israel
  • God will be honored in some as yet unspecified way through Pharaoh and his army.
  • All Egyptians will know that the Lord is God.
  • Israel obeyed.
• 14:5 - Upon hearing that Israel had fled Egypt, Pharaoh and his servants have a change in heart.
  • Forgetting all they had just gone through they ask themselves, "What is this we have done."
  • They realize they have no one to serve them
• 14:6 - Pharaoh prepares his chariot and takes his people with him after Israel
• 14:7 - Pharaoh takes six hundred "select" chariots with him after Israel
  • He takes all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over them all.
• 14:8 - Pharaoh's heart is hardened by God
  • This causes him to chase after Israel
  • Israel at the time was going out boldly
• 14:9 - The Egyptians chased after Israel with all the horses and all the chariots of Pharaoh
  • Egypt overtakes Israel as they camp by the sea
• 14:10 - Upon seeing Pharaoh and his army pursuing, they become frightened
  • This is a change from 14:8 when they went out boldly
  • Israel cries out to God
• 14:11 - Speaking to Moses with sarcasm, they ask him why he brought them out of Egypt to die
  • They've already forgotten
  • They blame Moses.
• 14:12 - Israel cleans to have tried to ignore Moses
  • They think it's better to die in bondage than in the wilderness

Interpretation

• What God is doing: How His enemies respond; How His people respond
  • God is seeking after His glory
  • Egypt hardens her heart, forgetting God's grace and rebuke (Romans 8:5-8)
  • Israel fails to trust God; fears men over God; they have a little god
• BOth Egypt and Israel fail to see God's plan; they respond accordingly and similarly
• With God actively in their midst Israel still has no faith

Application

• We quickly forget God when troubles appear on the horizon; we do not wait for His action. We are not patient
  • Even when trouble hasn't even arrived
• We quickly forget God in our trouble even when we have seen Him work recently
  • We do not try to see what He might be doing

Parting the Sea (14:13 - 14:31)

Observation

• 14:13 - In response to Israel's fear, Moses reassures them
  • He tells them not to fear, but to "stand by" and see how God will accomplish their salvation
  • He promises that Israel will never see the Egyptians again
• 14:14 - The Lord will fight for Israel while they keep silent
  • xref Is 30:15 = "In quietness and trust is your strength"
• 14:15 - God asks Moses why he is crying out to Him
  • Commands him to lead Israel forward
• 14:16 - Moses is to lift up his staff and stretch out his hand over the see and divide it
  • Israel will go through the part on dry land.

Interpretation

Application