Did we not say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness." Did we not say to you in EgyptThis phrase reflects the Israelites' mindset while they were still in Egypt. The Hebrew word for "say" is "אָמַר" (amar), which can also mean to command or declare. This indicates that the Israelites had previously expressed their fears and reluctance to Moses. Historically, Egypt was a place of bondage, yet it was also a place of familiarity. The Israelites' statement reveals a common human tendency to prefer the known, even if it is oppressive, over the uncertainty of freedom. This reflects a lack of faith and trust in God's promises and deliverance. Leave us alone
The plea to be left alone underscores a desire for comfort and stability, even at the cost of freedom. The Hebrew root "נ֫וּחַ" (nuach) implies rest or quietness. Ironically, the Israelites sought rest in servitude rather than in the freedom God was offering. This highlights a spiritual lesson: true rest and peace come from trusting in God's plan, not in clinging to past securities. so that we may serve the Egyptians
The word "serve" comes from the Hebrew "עָבַד" (avad), which means to work or be enslaved. This phrase reveals the Israelites' skewed perspective, where they equate servitude with survival. Historically, the Egyptians were known for their harsh treatment of the Israelites, yet fear distorted their memory. This serves as a reminder of how fear can cloud judgment and lead to a preference for bondage over the challenges of faith and freedom. For it would have been better for us
This expression of regret and doubt reflects a lack of faith in God's deliverance. The Hebrew word "טוֹב" (tov) means good or better, indicating a misguided belief that their past suffering was preferable to their current uncertainty. This highlights a spiritual struggle where the Israelites failed to see the goodness of God's plan amidst their trials. to serve the Egyptians
Reiterating their willingness to serve the Egyptians emphasizes their fear-driven mindset. The repetition of "serve" (עָבַד, avad) underscores their internal conflict between the known oppression and the unknown promise of freedom. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of spiritual complacency and the importance of trusting in God's deliverance. than to die in the wilderness
The wilderness represents a place of testing and transformation. The Hebrew word for wilderness, "מִדְבָּר" (midbar), can also mean a place of speaking, where God communicates with His people. The Israelites' fear of dying in the wilderness reveals their lack of understanding of God's purpose for their journey. Historically, the wilderness was a place where God provided and guided, yet the Israelites saw it as a place of death. This reflects a spiritual truth: the wilderness experiences in life are opportunities for growth and deeper reliance on God. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsraelitesThe people of God who were enslaved in Egypt and are now on their journey to the Promised Land. They are expressing fear and doubt in this verse. 2. MosesThe leader chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. He is the one being addressed by the Israelites in this verse. 3. EgyptThe land where the Israelites were enslaved. It represents bondage and oppression in this context. 4. WildernessThe place where the Israelites find themselves after leaving Egypt. It symbolizes a place of testing and reliance on God. 5. PharaohThe ruler of Egypt who initially refused to let the Israelites go. His pursuit of the Israelites leads to their fear and doubt. Teaching Points Fear vs. FaithThe Israelites' fear of the unknown led them to prefer the familiarity of bondage over the uncertainty of freedom. Believers today must choose faith over fear, trusting in God's promises even when circumstances seem daunting. The Danger of Looking BackThe Israelites' desire to return to Egypt highlights the danger of longing for past comforts when God is leading us to something greater. Christians are called to press forward, leaving behind the old life of sin. God's Faithfulness in TrialsDespite the Israelites' lack of faith, God remained faithful and delivered them. This teaches us that God's faithfulness is not dependent on our faithfulness, and He is always working for our good. The Importance of LeadershipMoses' role as a leader is crucial in guiding the Israelites through their fear. Spiritual leaders today are called to encourage and guide their communities through challenges with wisdom and faith. Trusting God's PlanThe Israelites' inability to see God's plan led to despair. Believers are encouraged to trust that God has a purpose and plan, even when it is not immediately visible. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the Israelites' fear in Exodus 14:12 reflect our own struggles with fear and doubt in modern life? 2. In what ways do we, like the Israelites, sometimes prefer the familiarity of our past over the uncertainty of God's promises? 3. How can we apply the lesson of God's faithfulness in the wilderness to our current life situations? 4. What role do spiritual leaders play in helping us navigate our fears and doubts, and how can we support them in their leadership? 5. How can we cultivate a mindset of trust in God's plan, especially when we cannot see the outcome? Consider connections to Hebrews 11 and the examples of faith listed there. Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 6:9The Israelites' initial disbelief and discouragement due to their harsh slavery, which parallels their current fear and lack of faith. Numbers 14:2-4The Israelites' repeated desire to return to Egypt when faced with challenges, showing a pattern of doubt and fear. Hebrews 3:7-19A New Testament reflection on the Israelites' unbelief and hard-heartedness in the wilderness, serving as a warning to believers. People Egyptians, Israelites, Moses, Pharaoh, ZephonPlaces Baal-zephon, Egypt, Etham, Migdol, Pi-hahiroth, Red SeaTopics Alone, Better, Cease, Death, Desert, Die, Egypt, Egyptians, Isn't, Leave, Saying, Servants, Serve, Spake, Spoke, Waste, Wilderness, WorkingDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 14:10-12 5940 searching Exodus 14:10-15 5884 indecision Exodus 14:10-31 4819 dryness Exodus 14:11-12 4230 desert Library A Path in the Sea
'And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: 20. And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night. 21. And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureEntangled in the Land
"For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in."--Exodus 14:3. ISRAEL WAS CLEAN escaped from Egypt. Not a hoof of their cattle was left behind; nor foot of child or aged man remained in the house of bondage. But though they were gone, they were not forgotten by the tyrant who had enslaved them. They had been a very useful body of workers; for they had built treasure cities and storehouses for Pharaoh. Compelled to work without wages, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891 Epistle Lxiii. To Brunichild, Queen of the Franks.
To Brunichild, Queen of the Franks. Gregory to Brunichild, &c. What good gifts have been conferred on you from above, and with what piety heavenly grace has filled you, this, among all the other proofs of your merits, intimates evidently to all that you both govern the savage hearts of barbarians with the skill of prudent counsel, and (what is still more to your praise), adorn your royal power with wisdom. And since, as you are above many nations in both these respects, so also you excel them in …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great They who have not Been Promoted to that Office. ...
They who have not been promoted [to that office] by the bishop, ought not to adjure, either in churches or in private houses. Notes. Ancient Epitome of Canon XXVI. No one shall adjure without the bishop's promotion to that office. Balsamon. Some were in the habit of "adjuring," that is catechising the unbelievers, who had never received the imposition of the bishop's hands for that purpose; and when they were accused of doing so, contended that as they did not do it in church but only at home, they …
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils The Personality of Power.
A Personally Conducted Journey. Everyone enjoys the pleasure of travel; but nearly all shrink back from its tiresomeness and drudgery. The transportation companies are constantly scheming to overcome this disagreeable side for both pleasure and business travel. One of the popular ways of pleasure travel of late is by means of personally conducted tours. A party is formed, often by the railroad company, and is accompanied by a special agent to attend to all the business matters of the trip. A variation …
S.D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on Power The Faults Committed in this Degree --Distractions, Temptations --The Course to be Pursued Respecting Them.
As soon as we fall into a fault, or have wandered, we must turn again within ourselves; because this fault having turned us from God, we should as soon as possible turn towards Him, and suffer the penitence which He Himself will give. It is of great importance that we should not be anxious about these faults, because the anxiety only springs from a secret pride and a love of our own excellence. We are troubled at feeling what we are. If we become discouraged, we shall grow weaker yet; and reflection …
Jeanne Marie Bouvières—A Short Method Of Prayer And Spiritual Torrents Answer to Mr. W's Sixth Objection.
6. and lastly, Let us consider the intrinsick absurdities, and incredibilities of the several stories of these three miracles, p. 36.--As to Jairus's daughter, and her resurrection from the dead, St. Hilary [13] hints, that there was no such person as Jairus;--and he gives this reason, and a good reason it is, why he thought so, because it is elsewhere intimated in the gospel that none of the rulers of the synagogues confessedly believ'd on Jesus, John vii. 48. and xii. 42. St. John's words in the …
Nathaniel Lardner—A Vindication of Three of Our Blessed Saviour's Miracles The Hardening in the Sacred Scripture.
"He hath hardened their heart."-- John xii. 40. The Scripture teaches positively that the hardening and "darkening of their foolish heart" is a divine, intentional act. This is plainly evident from God's charge to Moses concerning the king of Egypt: "Thou shalt speak all that I command thee; and I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not harken unto you, and I will lay My hand upon Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Blessed are they that Mourn
Blessed are they that mourn. Matthew 5:4 Here are eight steps leading to true blessedness. They may be compared to Jacob's Ladder, the top whereof reached to heaven. We have already gone over one step, and now let us proceed to the second: Blessed are they that mourn'. We must go through the valley of tears to paradise. Mourning were a sad and unpleasant subject to treat on, were it not that it has blessedness going before, and comfort coming after. Mourning is put here for repentance. It implies …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Epistle iv. To Cyriacus, Bishop.
To Cyriacus, Bishop. Gregory to Cyriacus, Bishop of Constantinople. We have received with becoming charity our common sons, George the presbyter and Theodore your deacon; and we rejoice that you have passed from the care of ecclesiastical business to the government of souls, since, according to the voice of the Truth, He that is faithful in a little will be faithful also in much (Luke xvi. 10). And to the servant who administers well it is said, Because thou hast been faithful over a few things, …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great The Sovereignty of God in Reprobation
"Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God" (Rom. 11:22). In the last chapter when treating of the Sovereignty of God the Father in Salvation, we examined seven passages which represent Him as making a choice from among the children of men, and predestinating certain ones to be conformed to the image of His Son. The thoughtful reader will naturally ask, And what of those who were not "ordained to eternal life?" The answer which is usually returned to this question, even by those who profess …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God Of the Necessity of Divine Influences to Produce Regeneration in the Soul.
Titus iii. 5, 6. Titus iii. 5, 6. Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. IF my business were to explain and illustrate this scripture at large, it would yield an ample field for accurate criticism and useful discourse, and more especially would lead us into a variety of practical remarks, on which it would be pleasant …
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Exodus 14:12 NIVExodus 14:12 NLTExodus 14:12 ESVExodus 14:12 NASBExodus 14:12 KJV
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