the enemy approaches

Good morning friends,
Unfortunately, just as Pharaoh changed his mind about letting Israel go before, he changes his mind this last time too, even though Israel has already left. Understandably, the Israelites are scared to see the Egyptian army. This is one of the most powerful armies in the world, and Israel hasn't had a chance to be a nation or to develop an army. We'll hear this refrain many more times as Israel journeys with God through the wilderness. Time and again the people complain about the journey and long for the security of Egypt, even in slavery. It takes time to make a nation of free people who can use their freedom well. Good thing God is patient and doesn't give up on Israel or on us.

God bless,
Sam

Exodus 14:5-14

5When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the minds of Pharaoh and his officials were changed toward the people, and they said, “What have we done, letting Israel leave our service?” 6So he had his chariot made ready, and took his army with him; 7he took six hundred picked chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. 8The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt and he pursued the Israelites, who were going out boldly. 9The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, his chariot drivers and his army; they overtook them camped by the sea, by Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.



10As Pharaoh drew near, the Israelites looked back, and there were the Egyptians advancing on them. In great fear the Israelites cried out to the Lord. 11They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us, bringing us out of Egypt? 12Is this not the very thing we told you in Egypt, ‘Let us alone and let us serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” 13But Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. 14The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.”