EXODUS
CHAPTER
14
1. Then the LORD said to Moses: 2 Tell the Israelites to turn back and camp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall camp opposite it, by the sea.
(Exodus chapter 14 verses 1 and 2)
God gives Moses the exact location where to camp. God was aware that the Egyptians were in pursuit of the Israelites. According to the given bearings and landmarks the Israelites were to be trapped or sandwiched between the land and the sea. According to the given instructions the people were to make a u turn and retreat a couple of meters back to their previous location. At times God asks us to change our ways. This may lead us to go back to previous situations that we had considered as being not that pleasant. Although we may view this change in event as being weird or strange, this may be part of God's plan for us in order to get us back on track.
In order to obtain a better perception of the location of the two mentioned strategic points please click on the following link:
3. Pharaoh will say of the Israelites, "They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has closed in on them." 4. I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them, so that I will gain glory for myself over Pharaoh and all his army; and the Egyptians shall Know that I am the LORD. And they did so.
(Exodus chapter 14 verses 3 to 4)
When in dialogue with Moses God makes his
intention clear to Moses that their going back on their tracks would give Pharaoh the impression that the Israelites were trapped and had no other option but to retreat in the wilderness. On seeing the Israelites in this delicate position God would persuade the Pharaoh to give chase and capture the Israelites once again.
On reflection one would wonder who could ever completely understand the mind of God. Time and time again He has told us that His ways are not our ways. Therefore this means that we have a total different perception of truth and reality. At times as humans we are disillusioned by what we consider as being an optical illusion. Thus when considering that even our senses are not hundred percent reliable we are to place our complete trust in God who is never wrong and who permits us to experience even strange situations as part of His plan for our salvation.
5. When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the minds of Pharaoh and his officials were changed toward the people, and they said, "What have we done, letting Israel leave our service?"
(Exodus chapter 14 verse 5)
In order to continue showing signs to the chosen people of God, in order to strengthen their faith God convinced the Pharaoh and his officials that it had not been a wise move to let the people leave Egypt. The chosen people while in Egypt had been the main source of their labour force and without them they would have to do all the harsh labour. According to Mr. Devain Pewar the author of this chapter we often fall into the trap of taking for granted special people or people of value and then when they move out of our life we start feeling guilty about our mistake and at times show a motivation to have them back. The same thing happens in our spiritual life with God. As sinners we tend to take God lightly in our lives and put aside those moments of love and care manifested to us by Him. However there comes a moment maybe that of a crisis when we realise our big mistake and manifest a great want and need of God, who is always ready to welcome us back in His arms. However at times we become so blinded by the ways of the world, that even if we want to change our ways, the evil one blocks every attempt so that we remain away from God.
6. So he had his chariot made ready, and took his army with him; 7.'he took six hundred picked chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them.
(Exodus chapter 14 verses 6 to 7)
Then the Pharaoh and his 600 best men on chariots decided to give chase in order to bring the Israelites
back to Egypt and get them back to work. The devil also acts in a similar way. He always takes advantage of our condition and
does his dirty deeds by exploiting or taking advantage of some ones condition for his personal gain. At times we are convinced by the evil one to to do the same. A typical example is that of employing illegal immigrants or people from closed or open centres and promising them to work for a sum of money with the intention of not paying them at all or decide to pay them less than agreed on. This is also an exploitation of the persons skills for our advantage and the deprivation of the employee's right for a justified wage in order to help sustain the well being of his family. As people who love and try to follow God we are also employed with Him in the greatest project of all, that is our salvation during His final visit. We are duty bound to encourage others to change their ways in order for them to obtain their wages that is our home in heaven. In our cases we are not slaves of God but associates in this labour of redemption and love.
8. The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt and he pursued the Israelites, who were going out boldly. 9. The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh's horses and chariots, his chariot drivers and his army; they overtook them camped by the sea, by Pihahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.
(Exodus chapter 14 verses 8 to 9)
(Exodus chapter 14 verses 8 to 9)
Up to the point that the Egyptians were still far away the, Israelites were
confident they the Egyptians would not catch them up but they were proved wrong by the fact that the Pharaoh did eventually overtook them. Without doubt God permitted this to happen in order to test the faith of the Israelites.
According to the author of this chapter
During our lives at times we feel so confident, that we overlook many things along with the consequences of our actions and decisions that we end up in deep trouble. However as is the case we need not worry for everything and anything
that happens throughout the course of our life is according to God's will and when we permit Him to take control of our lives the results are always positive.
10. As Pharaoh drew near, the Israelites looked back, and there were the Egyptians advancing on them. In great fear the Israelites cried out to the LORD. 11. They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us, bringing us out of Egypt?
(Exodus chapter 14 verses 10 to 11)
In order to cope with the pressure and stress that they were undergoing the people of God referred to God in a state of panic. Moreover they started blaming Moses for all that was happening to them. Up to the point that things or situations happen according to our agendas we say 'Thank You God ! and 'Praise the LORD! however when the pressure starts escalating we may not keep on chanting these positive exclamations. Although works wonders in our lives we still tend not to trust Him and show unbelief during moments of trial and tribulations.
In order to comprehend the pending danger that the Israelites were facing please click on the following link:
12. Is this not the very thing we told you in Egypt, 'Let us alone and let us serve the Egyptians? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness."
(Exodus chapter 14 verse 12)
The Israelites were facing one of the greatest dilemmas of their lives. They had to choose between following what Moses was saying to following the present here and now which meant doom and slavery. The reality that we perceive at the given moment is dull and illogical, while if we view it in a spirit that is coming from God the choice would be more than clear. On the other hand some of us may prefer to remain in our negative Egypt with all the pain being endured, than to have our values and beliefs challenged in order to change our ways. The proverb says 'a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush'. The Israelites may have preferred the devil they were aware of than roaming in the desert without a sense of direction as they may have been perceiving the situation. We long for security. The devil offers us the security of the world as in pleasure and material gain. God offers us everlasting security that is unlimited in both quantity and quality.
13. But Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the LORD will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again.
(Exodus chapter 14 verse 13)
God gives us perfect instructions in relation to times of trouble. The first rule is that of not being afraid. This means that we are to place our trust in Him and face the challenge with firm certainty that He is with us to help us in sharing the tribulation.
( Delphos G at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d90NM9tgDQE)
( Delphos G https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-v6dzIrGR4)
23. The Egyptians pursued and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh's horses, chariots and chariot drivers. 24. At the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. 25. He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, "Let us flee from the Israelites, for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt."
(Exodus chapter 14 verses 23 to 25)
(Exodus chapter 14 verse 12)
The Israelites were facing one of the greatest dilemmas of their lives. They had to choose between following what Moses was saying to following the present here and now which meant doom and slavery. The reality that we perceive at the given moment is dull and illogical, while if we view it in a spirit that is coming from God the choice would be more than clear. On the other hand some of us may prefer to remain in our negative Egypt with all the pain being endured, than to have our values and beliefs challenged in order to change our ways. The proverb says 'a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush'. The Israelites may have preferred the devil they were aware of than roaming in the desert without a sense of direction as they may have been perceiving the situation. We long for security. The devil offers us the security of the world as in pleasure and material gain. God offers us everlasting security that is unlimited in both quantity and quality.
13. But Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the LORD will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again.
(Exodus chapter 14 verse 13)
God gives us perfect instructions in relation to times of trouble. The first rule is that of not being afraid. This means that we are to place our trust in Him and face the challenge with firm certainty that He is with us to help us in sharing the tribulation.
14. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to keep still."
(Exodus chapter 14 verse 14)
In contrast to raising the alarm and tell the whole world that we are in trouble, we are not to be passive, give up and simply place the problem in God's hands. We are to do our duty but be assured that God is doing the major part of the work on our behalf. When we put in faith in God we see miracles taking place.
15. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. 16. But you lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the Israelites may go into the sea on dry ground. 17. Then I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and so I will gain glory for myself over Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots, and his chariot drivers. 18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gained glory for myself over Pharaoh his chariots and his chariot drivers."
(Exodus chapter 14 verses 15 to 18)
God turns on Moses as if saying I have given you all the signs all the instructions, why are you not using them. Go ahead trust in me and all will be well because I am with with you. God does not treat us like little children who are dependent on their parents. God wants us to do our share by taking responsibility of the roles that He has given to us. Again and again God explains his reasons to Moses that all is being done with a purpose and that God's will was going to be done. God was to manifest his glory over the forces of evil so that the faith of the people including Moses would be strengthened. Even in the situation of the Christians in Iraq and all that is going on in the world. God is in control. We might question God's intention for letting his children be massacred, why has He hardened the heart of the people of Israel? God always has a good intention at heart in order to help the process of our salvation to continue unfold. I stop and wonder and as myself if we are close to God's final visit. People's hearts are being hardened especially those of many rulers. Wars are taking place. The crisis of Iraq is escalating. Is this the beginning of the end or is there more to come? Are we being prepared? Does it all match into the tapestry of God's plans for his final visit and judgement of the earth? If this is so, then let us pray that we be ready for the final hour were God will manifest his love, power and glory as He did with the people of Egypt.
19. The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took its place behind them. 20. It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other all night.
(Exodus chapter 14 verses 19 to 20)
God was totally in control of the situation at the perfect time God's angel moved in between the Egyptian army and that of the chosen people of God thus making it impossible for both to come in contact with each other. Moreover from the new position God accepted on Him the curses and anger of the Egyptians and the fears, complaints and anxieties of His own people.of the God is able to bring wars under control and is also able to harden the hearts of leaders or people involved in wars, so that His will be done.
21. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. 22. The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left.
(Exodus chapter 14 verses 21 to 22)
On obeying the will of God Moses witnessed God's intervention taking place. The waters divided in to and provided access for the Israelites to pass through. God is able to create order stability from a state of chaos and disorder in order for His will to be done. For those who may still be in doubt please click on the following link that leads us to proof that this great act of God did take place.
These sources have been given to us by Delphos G
at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d90NM9tgDQE)
(Exodus chapter 14 verse 14)
In contrast to raising the alarm and tell the whole world that we are in trouble, we are not to be passive, give up and simply place the problem in God's hands. We are to do our duty but be assured that God is doing the major part of the work on our behalf. When we put in faith in God we see miracles taking place.
15. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. 16. But you lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the Israelites may go into the sea on dry ground. 17. Then I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and so I will gain glory for myself over Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots, and his chariot drivers. 18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gained glory for myself over Pharaoh his chariots and his chariot drivers."
(Exodus chapter 14 verses 15 to 18)
God turns on Moses as if saying I have given you all the signs all the instructions, why are you not using them. Go ahead trust in me and all will be well because I am with with you. God does not treat us like little children who are dependent on their parents. God wants us to do our share by taking responsibility of the roles that He has given to us. Again and again God explains his reasons to Moses that all is being done with a purpose and that God's will was going to be done. God was to manifest his glory over the forces of evil so that the faith of the people including Moses would be strengthened. Even in the situation of the Christians in Iraq and all that is going on in the world. God is in control. We might question God's intention for letting his children be massacred, why has He hardened the heart of the people of Israel? God always has a good intention at heart in order to help the process of our salvation to continue unfold. I stop and wonder and as myself if we are close to God's final visit. People's hearts are being hardened especially those of many rulers. Wars are taking place. The crisis of Iraq is escalating. Is this the beginning of the end or is there more to come? Are we being prepared? Does it all match into the tapestry of God's plans for his final visit and judgement of the earth? If this is so, then let us pray that we be ready for the final hour were God will manifest his love, power and glory as He did with the people of Egypt.
19. The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took its place behind them. 20. It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other all night.
(Exodus chapter 14 verses 19 to 20)
God was totally in control of the situation at the perfect time God's angel moved in between the Egyptian army and that of the chosen people of God thus making it impossible for both to come in contact with each other. Moreover from the new position God accepted on Him the curses and anger of the Egyptians and the fears, complaints and anxieties of His own people.of the God is able to bring wars under control and is also able to harden the hearts of leaders or people involved in wars, so that His will be done.
21. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. 22. The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left.
(Exodus chapter 14 verses 21 to 22)
On obeying the will of God Moses witnessed God's intervention taking place. The waters divided in to and provided access for the Israelites to pass through. God is able to create order stability from a state of chaos and disorder in order for His will to be done. For those who may still be in doubt please click on the following link that leads us to proof that this great act of God did take place.
at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d90NM9tgDQE)
( Delphos G at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d90NM9tgDQE)
( Delphos G https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-v6dzIrGR4)
23. The Egyptians pursued and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh's horses, chariots and chariot drivers. 24. At the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. 25. He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, "Let us flee from the Israelites, for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt."
(Exodus chapter 14 verses 23 to 25)
When God intervenes He does so in full force, according to the following link amongst the findings in the red sea, the wheels of the chariots were indeed clogged that is meaning with spokes missing thus greatly reducing the performance of the chariots, which according to the given source were of the best quality. God can do wonders. Even though there exists ballistic weapons, guided missiles, anti air radars and missiles, God can make these weapons of mass destruction useless in order to protect us or those concerned. In order to view the evidence related to the clogging of the chariot wheels please click on the following link taken from the same source.
( Delphos G https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-v6dzIrGR4)
26. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, so that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and chariot drivers." 27. So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea returned to its normal depth. As the Egyptians fled before it, the LORD tossed the Egyptians into the sea. 28. The waters returned and covered the chariots and the chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not one of them remained.
(Exodus chapter 14 verses 26 to 28)
According to author of this chapter God is in control of every moment of our live. God knows our character, feelings thoughts and personality. As spirit God has unlimited power and is omnipresent omnipotent and omniscient. God always has a contingency plan ready just in case we spoil His plans with our stubbornness or lack of faith.
29. But the Israelites walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. 30. Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31. Israel saw the great work that the LORD did against the Egyptians. So the people feared the LORD and believed in the LORD and his servant Moses.
(Exodus chapter 14 verses 29 to 30)
On having witnessed this mighty deed of God His chosen people, once again were motivated to put their faith in God. On reflecting as commented by Mr. Deevain Ajit Pewar as humans:
"We are all witnesses of God. One of God's greatest miracles was when He created the earth along with all the other animals and created a balanced perfect world order. Moreover as humans if we reflect and recollect we can all remember moments when God intervened directly or indirectly in our lives. "
I would like to end
this chapter with the following prayer,
God
thank You for your presence, thank you for the plan you have made for me and for being
with me and making me a part of it .Thank you for your love and blessings, thanks for having helped me to overcome negative moments in my life. Thank you God for your Word and many other things that happened for a particular purpose brought joy in my life.
thank you God for
everything
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