THE PILLAR OF FIRE

"The Israelites left Sukkoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. During the day the Lord went in front of them in a pillar of cloud to show them the way, and during the night He went in front of them in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel night and day. The pillar of cloud was always in front of the people during the day, and the pillar of fire at night" (Ex. 13:20-22).SRme 1.475

The Lord knew the Philistines would not let the Israelites pass through their land. The Philistines would say the Israelites had escaped from their masters in Egypt. That would give the Philistines an excuse for making war on the Israelites. God led His people by the shores of the Red Sea instead of through the Philistines' land. God showed He was a loving, kind God and also a God of judgment. The Lord warned Moses Pharaoh would come after the Israelites. He instructed Moses just where they should camp near the sea. The Lord said He would be honored before Pharaoh and Pharoah's army.SRme 1.476

After the Israelites were gone from Egypt for a few days, the Egyptian leaders told Pharaoh the Hebrews never would return to work for him again. The Egyptians were sorry they had allowed the Israelites to leave. Not having their slaves working for them was a great loss.SRme 1.477

The Egyptians had suffered greatly from the judgments of God, but they were so hardened by their continual rebellion they decided to chase the Israelites. They wanted to force them to return to Egypt. The king went after the Israelites with a large army and six hundred chariots. He overtook them while they were camped by the sea.SRme 1.478

When the Israelites saw the king and his army marching against them, they were terrified and cried out to the Lord for help. They said to Moses, 'Were there no graves in Egypt? Did you have to bring us out here in the desert to die? Look what you have done bringing us out of Egypt! We told you before we left this would happen. We told you to leave us alone and let us continue as slaves in Egypt. Slavery would be better than to die here in the desert.'SRme 1.479

"Moses answered, 'Don't be afraid! Stand your ground and you will see what the Lord will do to save you today; you will never see these Egyptians again. The Lord will fight for you, and all you have to do is keep still'" (Ex. 14:13).SRme 1.480

The Israelites lost their trust in God very quickly. They had seen the judgments God sent on Egypt to force the king to let them go. They had seen the Lord's wonderful power at work to rescue them. But when their trust in God was tested, the Israelites complained to Moses. They remindedSRme 1.481

Moses that while they were still in Egypt they had said things would be better if they remained as slaves. The Israelites accused Moses of being the cause of their trouble.SRme 1.482

Moses encouraged the Israelites to trust God and not show their unbelief. They should wait and see what the Lord would do for them. Then Moses earnestly prayed that the Lord would deliver His chosen people.SRme 1.483