Exodus 14:1-9
The Lord is Watching
Today’s sermon was one of my favorite to type in a long time. It went quickly, it gave me some fun challenges as far as names and such, and it continues to bring us ever closer to that wondrous story that has been told and retold for thousands of years.
Like the Passover, what lies ahead of Israel is something that really identifies them as a people. No other group has ever been brought through the deep waters of an ocean as if on dry land. It is an honor and it is a responsibility. Unfortunately, throughout their history, they have forgotten the honor and they have neglected the responsibility.
But haven’t we all? How often do we forget that these stories picture our own process of salvation? And that occurred, obviously, in our own lifetime. And yet, at times we act as if it either never happened, or that it doesn’t really have the significance of walking…. through a deep ocean.
But I tell you that the cross of Jesus Christ was infinitely more significant than the death of a mere lamb. And being led to the point where a deep ocean lies in front of us is nothing compared to the span we will travel at the rapture. Let’s keep these things in perspective, huh!
One of the places we will hear about today is called Baal Zephon. I will identify that with Lord when we get to that verse. But most people think of baal as a bad word… we can’t tie that in with the Lord, can we? Actually, baal simply means “master” or “lord.”
And so when we get to that verse, I want to prepare you with another place in Scripture where the word baal is ascribed to the Lord. That way you don’t panic when I give you my thoughts.
Text Verse: “So David went to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there; and he said, ‘The Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.’ Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim.” 2 Samuel 5:20
See, that wasn’t so tough. David named the place Baal Perazim because it is the Lord, Yehovah who broke through his enemies like a breakthrough of water. Great stuff from another great story! Let’s get into today’s story now. Times a’wasting and those verses won’t evaluate themselves now, will they?
All kind of great stuff is to be found in His superior word. And so let’s turn to that precious word once again and… May God speak to us through His word today and may His glorious name ever be praised.
I. The Wilderness Has Closed Them In (verses 1-3)
Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
Chapter 14 begins with the first thought being divided into two separate verses, off-setting the introduction into its own verse. Although not uncommon, dividing verses this way is the exception rather than the rule. In fact, it is the only time a verse is divided this way in all of chapter 14.
As always, I try to highlight these unusual divisions because they lengthen the number of verses in a chapter and thus the number of verses in the Bible. And yet, looking at patterns which run through the Bible based on verse divisions, it becomes apparent that these offset sections of single sentences were necessary to form those patterns.
It shows wisdom behind the structure of the Bible which is far more than mere chance could ever allow. In this verse, scholars debate as to whether this should say “Now the Lord had spoken to Moses,” or “Now the Lord spoke to Moses.”
From the context, it can’t really be determined if these words came before their departure or during the journey and it doesn’t substantially change the narrative in any way to translate it either way.
2 “Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn and camp before Pi Hahiroth,
Depending on the map one chooses to believe concerning the route of the exodus, one may say that the crossing of the Red Sea was merely crossing through a shallow marsh in the area of the Bitter Lakes. Or, it could be a crossing of the western finger of the Red Sea between Egypt and the Sinai Peninsula.
Or, more recently others will claim that the travel that we are looking at in this verse would lead us all the way down to the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula and that the crossing is in the east finger of the Red Sea and into where Saudi Arabia is today.
Each trek is adamantly adhered to by those who believe they are right, no matter how wrong they really are. The first option is utter nonsense. It was not a shallow marsh that consumed the entire Egyptian army. That will become obvious when we get to that sermon.
The third option, although very popular today, is unlikely at best. It is supposedly based on Paul’s words of Galatians 4:25 which say that Mount Sinai is in Arabia. However, Arabia of today does not reflect the entirety of the same area known as Arabia in the past.
The Sinai Peninsula is known as Arabia Petraea and so there is no reason to believe that Mt. Sanai is in what is known as Saudi Arabia today, despite many wild claims which are wholly unsubstantiated.
Additionally, the distance from Egypt to the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula is over 200 miles. As only three stops are recorded from Rameses to the edge of the Red Sea, it is not to be believed that 2 million people would walk that distance in a mere 72 hours.
Rather, the route of these journeys would have taken them down the west side of the west finger of the Red Sea to a point known as Pi Hahiroth. The first route was to the south-east, with the Bitter Lakes to their left, still within the borders of Egypt.
Eventually, the route which we are given in this verse moves them from south-east to heading south, with the Red Sea on their left, but still within the borders of Egypt. As they moved without the Egyptians harassing them, there would have been no reason to worry as they followed the pillar of cloud and fire.
That this route is obviously the correct one is that Pharaoh would know they were still in his territory and were completely cut off from any avenue of escape or even defense. His words later will confirm this and it is the reason why, once again, his heart becomes hard. The Lord is setting up a marvelous miracle to occur.
Understanding this, the words for the children of Israel to turn and camp before Pi Hahiroth are clear. In essence, “Go south along the western edge of the Red Sea to a place called Pi Hahiroth. The Hebrew reads v’yakhanu liphne pi ha’khiroth – “and camp in the face of the mouth of Hahiroth.”
The word pi means “mouth” and ha’khiroth means “the gorges.” It comes from the feminine plural of a noun which then comes from the word khor which means “hole.” Thus the picture is that they will camp in the face of the mouth of the gorges.
This then forms an exciting mental picture of what is happening. The Lord has directed the children of Israel south with the Red Sea at their left to a place of encampment that has gorges facing them from the west. In other words, they will be completely hemmed in.
There will be no way to escape to the east, or to the north. Being on foot, continuing south along the Red Sea would only end in futility as it would eventually run into more mountains and garrisons. Should someone come attacking them, they would be literally hemmed in with their backs to the ocean. It appears that only death and destruction would be possible in such a place.
2 (con’t) between Migdol and the sea,
Migdol comes from the word gadal which means to “grow up” or “become great.” Thus Migdol means “tower.” The location for the encampment was between the sea and a place with a large natural or man-made tower.
This would probably have been manned as an outpost and word of their travels would have easily been dispatched from there to Pharaoh. It seems intentional that Migdol is mentioned for this very purpose. It is meant to show us that a report made it back to Pharaoh that this giant contingent of people had taken up camp on the shores of the Red Sea.
2 (con’t) opposite Baal Zephon;
Like Pi Hahiroth and Migdol, the location of this place cannot be identified. All three of them are lost to time, but it could be that the names were simply names given at the time that they were used by the Israelites, not as specific names of known locations.
Baal Zephon means either Lord of Darkness, Lord of the North, or Lord of the Watch. The third seems appropriate. The root for this word is sapa, which “conveys the idea of being fully aware of a situation in order to gain some advantage or keep from being surprised by an enemy” (HAW).
It is exactly what the Lord is doing here, he is fully aware of the situation and He will certainly gain advantage of it. Further, He is in no way surprised by the coming enemy. In fact, He is merely awaiting their arrival. This place, Baal Zephon, would be on the opposite side of the Red Sea from Pi Hahiroth.
2 (con’t) you shall camp before it by the sea.
The directions here are specific; the Israelites are to camp on the shore of the sea, across from, or “before,” Baal Zephon on the other side of the sea. From a survey of Google Maps, there is a place at the northern tip of the west finger of the Red Sea known today as Ataqah which has a jutting beachhead big enough for several million people to camp.
Across from it is another jutting beachhead, a little to the north and the east of it. It is close to the area where the Suez Canal now ends. But it is also believed that the Red Sea went further north in the past and so it could be that the Exodus occurred in what is now dry land. But that is unlikely because the land is flat with no gorges to the west.
The scholar Lange agrees that this account is in the area of Ataqah. It very well matches the description. From this location, you can see directly across the Red Sea to Sinai. In reality, it is close enough to have been reached in three stops. No matter what, it is enticing to look at real images of the area and to speculate.
3 For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, ‘They are bewildered by the land; the wilderness has closed them in.’
From these words, it is apparent that Pharaoh was instructed by his outposts of the location of the Israelites. It also shows that he knew their position was unfavorable for them to get away. With this verse, we can dismiss the possibility that they were already in the Sinai Peninsula and heading for modern Saudi Arabia.
They were certainly within the borders of Egypt and along the west side of the western finger of the Red Sea. The word for “bewildered” is buk. It’s used only here, in Esther, and in Job. It means “confused.”
The “wilderness” of this verse is speaking of the area between the Nile valley and the Red Sea. It is, even today if you look at it on Google Earth, a vast, empty wilderness. Even at Pharaoh’s time there would have been a highway along the sea, but with the mountains and wadis, deserts, and garrisons it would be impossible for such a group of people to easily head west.
What he sees as confusion is actually a trap for his hard heart to be ensnared by. The temptation is too great for this hardened fool.
Baal Zephon is on the other side of the sea
Why did the Lord even mention that to me?
Here we are at Pi Hahiroth, and between us is plenty
And I mean plenty of water, an entire sea
I was told to camp here, between Migdol and the sea
Opposite Baal Zephon is the place that He instructed me
The folks in that watchtower don’t have intentions so friendly
But we are here because we were told to camp before it by the sea
Trust and obey, this is what the Lord has directed me
And so here we are, camping by the sea
The Lord is Watching, I say that quite confidently
As we sit across from Baal Zephon just as the Lord instructed me
II. I Will Gain Honor Over Pharaoh (verses 4 & 5)
4 Then I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that he will pursue them;
Again, as has been seen in every mentioning of the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart in the exodus account, it is obvious from the context that by the things the Lord has caused to occur the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart is only passive by the Lord.
The previous verse shows us this with clarity. It said, “For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, ‘They are bewildered by the land; the wilderness has closed them in.'” The events have been orchestrated by the Lord, Pharaoh has hungrily lusted after the events, and Pharaoh has willingly yielded to his lusts.
We have not found one instance of the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart where the hardening has been active by the Lord. It would be good to remember this as a guide and a lesson to each of us concerning out theology. We are responsible for our actions, even if the events around us prompt us to make them.
In the end, through good times or evil, we must be willing to keep our hearts soft to the things of God and ready to accept His divine will for us, even if we find it contrary to what we desire.
4 (con’t) and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army,
We have to remember and not forget that these words are being spoken to Moses. He may not yet know what will occur, but he knows that whatever the Lord has in mind, it will come to pass. He has already seen Egypt defeated and now he is given a promise that the Lord will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army.
The term for “and I will gain honor” is v’ikabedah. It is a verb which signifies heaviness or weight. In the context of the Lord’s action then, it means that He will be glorified over Pharaoh by His actions.
4 (con’t) that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord.”
Verse 4 is a close parallel to what the Lord said to Moses in Chapter 7, just prior to his first meeting with Pharaoh. There we read these words –
And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. 4 But Pharaoh will not heed you, so that I may lay My hand on Egypt and bring My armies and My people, the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. 5 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them.”
Unfortunately, this concept of someone knowing that He is the Lord carries with it an often sad connotation. The book of Ezekiel in particular shows us what it really means. Around 60 times in that book, He says that so and so will “know that I am the Lord.”
Almost always it is in conjunction with just one of two thoughts – divine judgment or divine mercy. In the case of Egypt, they will come to know that He is the Lord through the former when they are destroyed in the Red Sea. The implication is that they will know who He is only after their fate is sealed. The reality of that occurrence becomes assured with the final words of verse 4…
4 (con’t) And they did so.
Knowing the obstinate nature of the man, the ploy worked. Report came to Pharaoh that the Israelites were apparently lost and hemmed in, and so he followed his natural instinct, taking along with him his forces. As Adam Clark comments on this verse –
“…without any farther restraining grace, God permits him to rush on to his final ruin, for the cup of his iniquity was now full.” Adam Clarke
5 Now it was told the king of Egypt that the people had fled,
This is the first time that Pharaoh has been called “the king of Egypt” since Exodus 6:29, 22 sermons ago. From that verse until now, the title “Pharaoh” has been used 72 times. Now he is again called “king of Egypt.”
During all of those verses the Lord gives the stubborn individual a marvelous display of His power and majesty, showing him who the true King is. However, as soon as the displays are behind him, he once again reverts to his previous arrogance, and the Bible portrays him as attempting to bring himself up to the level of the true King.
The contrast is being made between the two peoples, Israel and the Egyptians. He is the king of Egypt, but he is not the king of Israel. However, this verse implies that he thinks he is because they are called “the people,” not “the children of Israel.”
Only in the second half of the verse do we come to see Israel named and it is in the context of their service to Egypt. It is following simple words like this that we find wonderful hidden nuggets of gold in the Bible’s pages.
5 (con’t) and the heart of Pharaoh and his servants was turned against the people; and they said, “Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?”
Almost all scholars look at this as Pharaoh realizing that Israel would not come back to Egypt after their sacrifices which entailed a three-day journey into the wilderness. They say that when Pharaoh made this realization, he then pursued after them.
This is entirely incorrect. A three-day journey into the wilderness implies a 7-day trip if only one day were to be for sacrifice and worship. Israel has had three stops – Succoth, Etham, and now Pi Hahiroth – seven days haven’t passed yet. Pharaoh had simply dismissed Israel and now he had simply changed his mind.
After a couple of days of seeing the loss of labor by several million people, it would have suddenly become apparent to him that they had made a mistake. As he says with his own mouth, “Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?”
Also, the NKJV makes it sound like the hearts of Pharaoh and his servants were turned against their own people. This isn’t the intent. Rather, it was changed towards Israel. The NIV makes a clearer translation in this matter –
“When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, ‘What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!'” (NIV)
Pharaoh and his officials had not only let Israel go to sacrifice, but they had let them go, period. Now they have had a change of heart in that decision. Matthew Henry gives us a good look into their pitiful state –
“They who never truly repented of their sins, now heartily repent of their only good action.” Matthew Henry
Why have I let Israel go? I must have been nuts for sure
With my son buried, right reason has returned to me
For sure one thing I know, this situation cannot endure
And I hear that Israel is out camping by the sea
This time I can whoop up on them; I am Egypt’s god!
Yehovah has spent His last arrow, now I will find victory
This land is mine, everywhere that I may trod
And that includes Israel’s camp, there beside the sea
After I’m done with my whooping up on Israel
I know what I will do, and it just tickles me
Before heading back, this to my troops I will tell
Well done guys! Let’s all take a swim in that sea…
III. And the Lord Hardened the Heart of Pharaoh (verses 6-9)
6 So he made ready his chariot and took his people with him.
The Hebrew is more descriptive than the English here. Using the word asar, it says that he “bound” his chariot. It means that the chariot was bound to horses and prepared for battle. The English simply makes it sound like he checked the air pressure in the tires, made sure the windshield was clean, and was then ready to go.
This is only the second time this word for chariot has been used. The first was at the burial of Jacob in Genesis 50. There in the 9th verse, it says that chariots and horsemen went in attendance as his body was taken back to Canaan for burial.
The word for “chariot” is rekev. It comes from the verb rakav, meaning “to ride.” In modern lingo, we could say that “he readied his ride.” And along with him, he took his people. All would be prepared for intimidating Israel back to their home in Rameses at the least. Should that be refused, they would be prepared for battle.
The Pulpit Commentary gives a description of the chariot Pharaoh would have used –
“The Egyptian monarchs, from the time of the eighteenth dynasty, always went out to war in a chariot. The chariots were, like the Greek and the Assyrian, open behind, and consisted of a semicircular standing-beard of wood, from which rose in a graceful curve the antyx or rim to the height of about two feet and a half above the standing-beard. The chariot had two wheels and a pole, and was drawn by two horses. It ordinarily contained two men only, the warrior and the charioteer.” Pulpit Commentary
7 Also, he took six hundred choice chariots,
In verse 7, there is a distinction being made which isn’t apparent in many of our translations. These first six hundred chariots are called “choice chariots.” These were probably the king’s special guard. Nothing more is said about them to describe their style or their function. However, the second group is more descriptive…
7 (con’t) and all the chariots of Egypt with captains over every one of them.
These would be the rest of the army of chariots. These would have had three riders in each. Adam Clarke details their make-up –
“According to the most authentic accounts we have of war-chariots, they were frequently drawn by two or by four horses, and carried three persons: one was charioteer, whose business it was to guide the horses, but he seldom fought; the second chiefly defended the charioteer; and the third alone was properly the combatant.” Adam Clarke
The way we can know that this is a correct evaluation is that the term “captains” in Hebrew is shaliyshim. It is the first use of the word “shaliysh” in the Bible and it comes from the word shalosh, or three. This word shaliysh is used then as an officer of the third rank. He would be the highest over the chariot.
As you can see, it is not “just” 600 chariots going after Egypt. It is 600 choice chariots and an unknown number of troop-carrying chariots. Flavius Josephus, the Jewish historian says that along with them went fifty thousand horsemen, and two hundred thousand foot-men, all armed. Whether this amount is true or not, it still would be an imposing force hurtling towards Israel.
8 And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt,
This is the last time that the full title “Pharaoh king of Egypt” will be used when speaking of this man. He is being set in direct contrast to the Lord who is the King of Israel. The people are separated by the distance and a battle will ensue between them.
But more to reality, it will be the Lord who fights against Egypt and it will be He who will prevail. As we will see in the coming verses, Moses will tell the people –
“Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:13, 14
In anticipation of that awesome moment, we are told again that the Lord has hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt. All of the events have unfolded for this marvelous purpose. The Lord is not only the Redeemer and Deliverer of His people, but He is also the Destroyer of those who fight against Him.
As the Lord does not change, it is with all certainty that the world of today has miscalculated this particular role of Jesus. Yes, He is our Redeemer and Savior. He is the One who will also deliver us. But while He does those things, He will also come with a strong and punishing hand to destroy those who have not pursued Him.
8 (con’t) and he pursued the children of Israel;
This portion of the verse is not to be taken as one group running as another chases it. It simply means that Pharaoh left his domain in pursuit of Israel. They are already at Pi Hahiroth and the message has already been transmitted to him. He is simply heading there to recapture the people who had departed.
8 (con’t) and the children of Israel went out with boldness.
Unless these words are being used in the past tense to show what happened on the night of the Passover, the translation doesn’t make any sense. In the coming verses, it will show that Israel is more than fearful when they see the Egyptians coming.
What makes much more sense would be one of two other translations. The ISV says –
“The LORD made the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, stubborn, and he defiantly pursued the Israelis as they were leaving.” ISV
This makes the defiance an act of Pharaoh. The only other translation that would make any real sense is that of the Douay-Rheims Bible which says –
“…and he pursued the children of Israel: but they were gone forth in a mighty hand.” Douay-Rheims
In other words, it would be speaking of the strength of the Lord in contrast to the multitudes who are now coming against Him. It is not speaking of the confidence of Israel. Either way, this has much less to do with their confidence than it has to do with the showdown between the Lord and Pharaoh, as is evidenced by the next verse…
9 So the Egyptians pursued them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army,
One thing about this verse is that it confirms that not only chariots went to recapture Israel, but the cavalry and the army followed them as well. The force Pharaoh had mustered would normally be sufficient to handle whatever lay before it, knowing that the Israelites would not have been well armed and that they were encamped in an area which was impossible for them as a defensive battleground.
However, there is more than an arm of flesh to defend Israel. During the reign of Hezekiah, king of Judah, Sennacherib king of Assyria came against Jerusalem. Probably remembering this very account of the exodus of Israel, he spoke these words to encourage the people who had to defend against the overwhelming Assyrian force –
“Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. 8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” 2 Chronicles 32:7,8
In response to the boastings of Sennacherib and his attack against Jerusalem, we are told that the Lord went out and in a single night killed 185,000 Assyrians. Because of this, the Assyrian king packed up and left. Like Pharaoh and like Sennacherib, Matthew Henry provides wise words for those who fail to give the Lord the honor He is due –
“All men being made for the honour of their Maker, those whom he is not honoured by, he will be honoured upon.” Matthew Henry
*9 (fin) and overtook them camping by the sea beside Pi Hahiroth, before Baal Zephon.
Exactly where they were told to camp, Israel stopped and made camp. One can see the children splashing in the ocean and picking up curious rocks or shells. The majority of them had probably never seen the ocean in their life. Instead of the hard bondage of Egypt, they could sit and relax, enjoying the cool breeze of the spring winds off the sea.
Instead of hands and bodies agonizingly covered in mud, there would be bodies joyfully covered in sand. The harsh sun beating off the dull-colored mud flats would be replaced with the wonderful, blissful sun reflecting off the beautifully blue waters.
There they were… the multitudes of Israel, camping and relaxing in the presence of a new aspect of God’s splendor, even reveling in it. And yet, they didn’t know that danger was heading in their direction. The carefree attitude of freedom and ease would soon be replaced with another dreadful moment of fearful angst.
They had not had long to cherish their freedoms and so they would not know how to handle the feelings of trepidation they were soon to encounter. But if you think of it, even this fits so marvelously into God’s plan. One can only truly rejoice in deliverance when they have tasted the contrast between the bondage and the ease.
A couple sermons ago, I mentioned that some Christian scholars attempt to align the resurrection of Christ with the day that Israel was conducted through the Red sea. However, this would not align with the table of stops recorded in Numbers 33. But, the Jewish calendar reckons the seventh day of the Feast of Unleavened bread with that day.
Accordingly, the final day of the Feast would be the day they passed through the waters of the Red Sea. If this is so, and it most probably is, then it means that Israel was camped at Pi Hahiroth for several days. It was surely a merry moment in the life of Israel and it would fit well with a seven-day feast which was ordained for the generations to come.
Here we have a serene picture of Israel camping for several days by the Red Sea, not suspecting that amazing things lay ahead of them, culminating in their seventh day of what would be true freedom – a day which would be remembered for all time.
It is the Lord who brought them into a place from which no known human power could deliver them. But the Lord could. The name Pi Hahiroth means “mouth of the gorges” and it gives the sense of their being swallowed up by something massive and overwhelming.
But on the other side from them was a place called Baal Zephon – “The Lord is Watching.” Nothing would swallow His treasured possession, Israel. Instead, He would lead them right through Yam Suph, “the Sea of the Ending” and into a new beginning. A beautiful picture of the rapture of the church is seen in this crossing.
Oh! How the Lord loves His people. Those who have called out to Him for salvation, He will in fact save. He will deliver them from every trouble and woe and into a marvelous new beginning. We who are the redeemed of the Lord, be assured and know this. It is as certain as the air we breathe.
But someone listening today may not know the joy of this certain hope. You may still have a wall between you and the Creator; an infinite wall which is impossible to pass. Let me tell You about how to overcome even the impossible. Let me tell you about Jesus…
Closing Verse: “Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 38:23
Israel forgot the great deeds of the Lord and they twice went into captivity for their forgetfulness. But the Lord has returned them, and Ezekiel 38 and 39 shows us that they will come to know their Lord as will the nations which surround them.
Here we are, waiting on the next big moment in redemptive history for Israel and for our next big moment at the rapture. I can tell you with all certainty that for those who know the Lord now, and who will be spared the great battles prophesied for our future, that we have the better deal. Your faith is worth more than fine gold.
Hold fast to it and be willing to share it with others. Our time is short and the church age is coming to its end. Pray for Israel, pray for the lost, and let the redeemed of the Lord say so.
Next Week: Exodus 14:10-20 (Stand Still and See the Salvation of the Lord) (40th Exodus Sermon)
The Lord has you exactly where He wants you. He has a good plan and purpose for you. Even if a deep ocean lies ahead of You, He can part the waters and lead you through it on dry ground. So follow Him and trust Him and He will do marvelous things for you and through you.
The Lord is Watching
Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
“Speak to the children of Israel
That they turn and camp before Pi Hahiroth as I am relaying
These instructions to you I do tell
There between Migdol and the sea
Opposite Baal Zephon; you shall camp there
Before it by the sea, I tell you plainly
Worry not; in your heart have not a care
For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel
‘They are bewildered by the land
The wilderness has closed them in, very well
I intend to go down there and make a stand
Then I will harden Pharaoh’s heart
So that he will pursue them as I said
And I will gain honor over Pharaoh, as stated from the start
And over all the army of that knucklehead
That the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord
And they did so, according to His word
Now it was told the king of Egypt
That the people had fled
And the heart of Pharaoh and his servants
Was turned against the people; and they said
“Why have we done thus?
That we have let Israel go from serving us?
So he made ready his chariot and took his people with him
Also, he took six hundred choice chariots too
And all the chariots of Egypt
With captains over every one of them, a very large crew
And the Lord hardened the heart
Of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and as we would guess
He pursued the children of Israel
And the children of Israel went out with boldness
So the Egyptians pursued them
All the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, a great company
His horsemen and his army so many men
And overtook them camping by the sea
Beside Pi Hahiroth, before Baal Zephon
He probably thought such luck would go on and on
What a tragic thing to have a hardened heart!
Terrifying it is, to the bone’s very marrow
One should look for a different path and thus depart
From the horrendous mistakes that we see in Pharaoh
God has shown us in His precious word
That being obstinate toward Him can only harm us
Instead, we need to bow to our glorious Lord
Giving honor and respect to Christ Jesus
Help us in this Lord, this we implore
Our hearts are so easily turned away
Give us of Your Spirit to overflowing and even more
So that we will bring honor to you always, yes every day
And to You we give all of our highest praise
And to You we shall look for eternal days
Hallelujah and Amen…
