Exodus 14:10 - Meaning and Application

Here we see, first, the fear that gripped the children of Israel when they realized Pharaoh was chasing them (Exodus 14:10). They knew the enemy’s strength and anger very well, and they knew their own weakness. They were many in number, but they were all on foot, unarmed, and untrained, and long slavery had left them shaken. Worst of all, their camp was trapped, so they could not escape.

On one side were Pi-hahiroth, a line of rough rocks that could not be crossed. On the other side were Migdol and Baalzephon, which some think were forts or military posts on Egypt’s border. In front of them was the sea, and behind them were the Egyptians. So there was no way open to them except upward, and that was where their rescue came from. We may be walking in obedience to God, heading toward heaven, and still be in great trouble, pressed on every side (2 Corinthians 4:8).

No wonder the children of Israel were very afraid. Their father Jacob had felt the same way in a similar situation (Genesis 32:7). When there are fights and threats on the outside, there will be fears on the inside. But the result of fear depends on what it produces. Some of them cried out to the Lord, and fear drove them to pray. That was a good effect, because God often brings us into hard places to bring us to our knees.

Others cried out against Moses, and fear drove them to complain (Exodus 14:11-12). They gave themselves up as lost. As if God’s power had suddenly run out, and as if he could no longer work miracles, they despaired of rescue and expected only death in the wilderness. Their distrust was deeply wrong. Had they not seen themselves under the protection of the pillar from heaven? Could almighty power fail them, or could endless goodness prove false?

Even worse, they blamed Moses for bringing them out of Egypt. In blaming Moses, they were really striking at God himself and provoking the very One whose favor was now their only help. The Egyptians were angry with themselves for the best thing they had ever done. The Israelites were angry with God for the greatest kindness ever shown to them. That is how twisted unbelief can become.

They also showed a low view of freedom, preferring slavery over it just because freedom came with some hardship. A noble spirit would have said, if the worst happened, it is better to die free than to live in chains. And under God’s leading, they could not fail. They could have said it was better to live as God’s free people in the open wilderness than as Egypt’s slaves among the brick kilns. But because they were troubled for the moment, they wished they had been left buried alive in the house of bondage.

They also showed shameful ingratitude toward Moses, who had faithfully led them toward deliverance. They treated him as if he had dealt harshly and unfairly with them. Yet it was plain that whatever he did, and however it turned out, he was acting by God’s direction and for their good. They repeated what they had said in earlier distress, “Leave us alone,” and though that had been an unwise thing to say, it was somewhat more understandable then, before they had seen so many of God’s works in their favor. But they forgot God’s acts of mercy as quickly as the Egyptians forgot his acts of judgment. Like the Egyptians, they hardened their hearts, and that led to their ruin. Egypt, after ten plagues, and Israel, after ten provocations, were both sentenced to die in the wilderness, and this was the first of Israel’s provocations (Numbers 14:22).

Second, we see Moses’ timely encouragement in their distress (Exodus 14:13-14). He did not answer these foolish words with foolishness of his own. God had borne with the insult they gave him, and did not choose to give them over to their fears. So Moses could rightly overlook the insult they had aimed at him. Instead of scolding them, he comforted them. With calmness and courage, not shaken by Egypt’s threats or Israel’s trembling, he quieted their complaints with the promise of swift and complete rescue: “Do not be afraid.”

It is our duty and our good, when we cannot get out of trouble, to rise above fear. Fear should stir us to pray and to act, but it should not silence faith and hope. Moses assured them that God himself would deliver them, that he would take up their cause, and that he would destroy their pursuers. “The Lord will fight for you.” Moses was sure of this, even before he knew how it would happen. God had already told him that Pharaoh and his army would be ruined, so Moses gave the people the same comfort that had strengthened him.

He also told them to leave the matter to God and wait quietly for the outcome. “Stand still” means do not try to save yourselves by fighting or running. Wait for God’s orders and follow them. Do not keep planning your own escape, but follow your leader. Watch for God’s work, and learn from it how unwise it is to distrust him. Calm yourselves with full trust in God, and wait peacefully for the great rescue he was about to perform for you. Keep quiet. You do not even need to raise a cry against the enemy, as at Jericho (Joshua 6:16). This victory will come without any help from you.

If God himself brings his people into tight places, he will also show the way out. And when trouble is great and the outcome seems close, wisdom calls for a calm and steady spirit. That is the best condition for doing our duty and for watching God’s work. “Your strength is to sit still” (Isaiah 30:7), for the help of Egypt will be useless, and its threats will fail too.