Exodus 14:10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were afraid and cried out to the LORD.
The fear of the Israelites is understandable here. In front of them is the Red Sea, solid and impenetrable. Behind them, cutting off the only exit they have, is the Egyptian army. Kudos to the Israelites for calling out to God in their fear. That’s exactly the right thing to do.
Exodus 14:11 They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die?…”
However, after they call on God, they turn on Moses in their fear. They ridicule him for taking them away from the safety and security of the known into the danger of the unknown. Fear makes us feel powerless. Anger feels incredibly powerful, so as much as I want to judge the Israelites for their behavior, I cannot—because I have acted exactly the same way in situations where I was afraid.
Exodus 14:12a “Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? …”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the reminder that it is so easy and so dangerous to judge others when we don’t walk in their shoes. Thank You for the blessing of the Israelites calling out to You in their fear. What a gift to know who to call on, especially in times of distress. Help us not to give in to anger when we are afraid, Lord. Help us to cling to You. Draw us closer. Amen.
Exodus 14:12b … “It would be better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.