Exodus 14:6 Study Bible: He made ready his chariot, and took his army with him;

◄ Exodus 14:6 ►

So Pharaoh prepared his chariot and took his army with him.

So he made ready
This phrase indicates a decisive action taken by Pharaoh. The Hebrew root for "made ready" is "אסר" (asar), which can mean to bind or prepare. This preparation signifies Pharaoh's determination and readiness to pursue the Israelites. Historically, this reflects the urgency and the military precision of the Egyptian forces, known for their swift chariots and disciplined army. Spiritually, it serves as a reminder of the relentless pursuit of worldly powers against God's people, yet it also foreshadows God's ultimate deliverance.

his chariot
The chariot was a symbol of power and military might in ancient Egypt. The Hebrew word "רכב" (rekeb) refers to a vehicle used in warfare, often associated with speed and strength. Archaeological findings have shown that Egyptian chariots were advanced for their time, with lightweight construction and superior maneuverability. In a spiritual context, the chariot represents the reliance on human strength and technology, contrasting with the Israelites' dependence on divine intervention.

and took his army
The phrase underscores Pharaoh's mobilization of his entire military force. The Hebrew word for "army" is "חיל" (chayil), which can also mean strength or valor. This reflects the formidable nature of the Egyptian military, which was one of the most powerful in the ancient world. Historically, this demonstrates the extent of Pharaoh's commitment to recapturing the Israelites. Spiritually, it highlights the opposition believers may face from powerful adversaries, yet it also sets the stage for God's power to be displayed in overcoming such forces.

with him
This phrase indicates Pharaoh's personal involvement in the pursuit. The Hebrew "עמו" (imo) suggests not just physical presence but also leadership and responsibility. Pharaoh's decision to lead his army personally shows his desperation and pride. In a broader spiritual sense, it serves as a reminder of the personal nature of the struggles believers face, where leaders and individuals alike must confront challenges. It also emphasizes the personal nature of God's deliverance, as He is intimately involved in the lives of His people.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Pharaoh
The ruler of Egypt, often seen as a symbol of opposition to God's will. In this context, Pharaoh represents the hardened heart that refuses to submit to God's authority.

2. Chariot
A symbol of military power and human strength. Pharaoh's reliance on chariots highlights his trust in earthly power rather than divine intervention.

3. Army
The Egyptian military force, representing the might of Egypt and its opposition to the Israelites. This army is a tool in Pharaoh's attempt to recapture the Israelites.

4. Israelites
God's chosen people, who have just been freed from slavery in Egypt. They are on their journey to the Promised Land, representing the journey of faith and reliance on God.

5. Red Sea
The body of water that the Israelites must cross, symbolizing a barrier that only God can overcome, demonstrating His power and faithfulness.

Teaching Points

Reliance on God vs. Human Strength
Pharaoh's preparation of his chariot and army serves as a reminder of the futility of relying on human strength. Believers are called to trust in God's power and provision rather than their own abilities or resources.

The Hardness of Heart
Pharaoh's actions demonstrate a hardened heart that resists God's will. Christians are encouraged to remain open and responsive to God's leading, avoiding the pitfalls of pride and stubbornness.

God's Sovereignty in Adversity
Even in the face of opposition, God's plan prevails. This teaches believers to trust in God's sovereignty, knowing that He can use any situation for His glory and our good.

Faith in the Face of Fear
The Israelites' journey through the Red Sea is a powerful example of faith overcoming fear. Christians are encouraged to step out in faith, trusting God to make a way where there seems to be none.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Pharaoh's reliance on chariots and his army reflect our own tendencies to trust in human strength? What are some modern-day "chariots" we might rely on instead of God?

2. In what ways can we guard our hearts against becoming hardened like Pharaoh's? What spiritual disciplines can help us remain open to God's will?

3. How does the account of the Red Sea crossing encourage us to trust in God's deliverance in our own lives? Can you think of a personal "Red Sea" moment where God made a way for you?

4. How do the additional scriptures (Psalm 20:7, Isaiah 31:1) reinforce the message of trusting in God over human power? How can these verses be applied in our daily decision-making?

5. Reflect on Romans 9:17 and God's sovereignty. How does understanding God's control over all situations bring comfort and assurance in times of trial?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Exodus 14:10-14
These verses describe the Israelites' fear and Moses' reassurance of God's deliverance, emphasizing the contrast between human fear and divine faithfulness.

Psalm 20:7
This verse contrasts trust in chariots and horses with trust in the name of the Lord, highlighting the futility of relying on human strength.

Isaiah 31:1
Warns against relying on Egypt and its chariots, reinforcing the theme of trusting in God rather than human power.

Romans 9:17
Paul references Pharaoh to illustrate God's sovereignty and purpose, showing how God uses even opposition to fulfill His plans.

Sermons

Trial and Judgment	J. Urquhart	Exodus 14:1-9
Israel Stricken with Terror by Reason of a Deliverance not Yet Completed	D. Young	Exodus 14:1-12
Difficulty in Duty	Homilist	Exodus 14:5-10
Israel Pursued	J. Parker, D. D.	Exodus 14:5-10
Pursuit of the Entangled	Owen, John	Exodus 14:5-10
The Good Pursued by Old Enemies	J. S. Exell, M. A.	Exodus 14:5-10
The Pursuit	J. Orr	Exodus 14:5-10

People

Egyptians, Israelites, Moses, Pharaoh, Zephon

Places

Baal-zephon, Egypt, Etham, Migdol, Pi-hahiroth, Red Sea

Topics

Army, Chariot, Chariots, Harnesseth, Ready, War-carriage, Yoked

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Exodus 14:5-9

5208 armies

Exodus 14:6-7

5252 chariots
8421 equipping, physical

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 Scripture

Entangled 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 14:6 NIV
Exodus 14:6 NLT
Exodus 14:6 ESV
Exodus 14:6 NASB
Exodus 14:6 KJV

Exodus 14:6 Commentaries

Bible Hub