Egypt had lost so much. Surely Pharaoh understood the devastation that had befallen Egypt through the plagues from the hand of the God of Israel. There were no crops, no trees to bear fruit, and virtually no animals let alive. Every house in Egypt mourned because of the death of the first born. And the people had given those of Israel gifts of gold and jewelry as they left the country. Was it all of this sorrow that drove Pharaoh to chase after Israel? Did he find himself riding past the empty houses of Israel in Goshen with a growing rage against a God he could not see? A God who had demanded Pharaoh’s obedience and who took so much because of Pharaoh’s refusal to submit? Did he reason that he would get back at the God of Israel by taking his first born; the people of Israel? I can picture Pharaoh energizing his army with speeches of vengeance upon Israel. To “pay them back” for the pain that their God has caused Egypt. Was it revenge, or sorrow, or pride that motivated the pursuit of Israel? Two armies drove through the wilderness ready for battle. Those same two armies entered the canyon of water; one humble and scared, and one proud and angry. God exalted his people and humiliated the proud.
It took me 14 minutes to read this passage.
Stuart
No comments:
Post a Comment