ImmerseBeginnings NLT - Flipbook - Page 117
14:1-20
E x od u s
105
Then the Lord gave these instructions to Moses: “Order the Israelites to
turn back and camp by P
i-hahiroth between Migdol and the sea. Camp
there along the shore, across from Baal-zephon. Then Pharaoh will think,
‘The Israelites are confused. They are trapped in the wilderness!’ And
once again I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after you. I
have planned this in order to display my glory through Pharaoh and his
whole army. After this the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord!” So
the Israelites camped there as they were told.
When word reached the king of Egypt that the Israelites had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. “What have we done, letting
all those Israelite slaves get away?” they asked. So Pharaoh harnessed his
chariot and called up his troops. He took with him 600 of Egypt’s best
chariots, along with the rest of the chariots of Egypt, each with its commander. The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, so
he chased after the people of Israel, who had left with fists raised in defiance. The Egyptians chased after them with all the forces in Pharaoh’s
army—all his horses and chariots, his charioteers, and his troops. The
Egyptians caught up with the people of Israel as they were camped beside
the shore near Pi-hahiroth, across from Baal-zephon.
As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked
when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the
Lord, and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in
the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have
you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? Didn’t we tell you this
would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let
us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse
in the wilderness!’”
But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch
the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be
seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the
people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea.
Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea
on dry ground. And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they
will charge in after the Israelites. My great glory will be displayed through
Pharaoh and his troops, his chariots, and his charioteers. When my glory
is displayed through them, all Egypt will see my glory and know that I am
the Lord!”
Then the angel of God, who had been leading the people of Israel,
moved to the rear of the camp. The pillar of cloud also moved from the
front and stood behind them. The cloud settled between the Egyptian
and Israelite camps. As darkness fell, the cloud turned to fire, lighting up
