141 Now the Lord spoke to Moses , saying , 2 "Tell the sons of Israel to turn back and camp before Pi-hahiroth , between Migdol and the sea ; you shall camp in front of Baal-zephon , opposite it, by the sea . 3 "For Pharaoh will say of the sons of Israel , 'They are wandering aimlessly in the land ; the wilderness has shut them in.' 4 "Thus I will harden Pharaoh's heart , and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army , and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord ." And they did so . 5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled , Pharaoh and his servants had a change of heart toward the people , and they said , "What is this we have done , that we have let Israel go from serving us?" 6 So he made his chariot ready and took his people with him; 7 and he took six hundred select chariots , and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. 8 The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh , king of Egypt , and he chased after the sons of Israel as the sons of Israel were going out boldly e . 9 Then the Egyptians chased after them with all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh , his horsemen and his army , and they overtook them camping by the sea , beside Pi-hahiroth , in front of Baal-zephon .
10 As Pharaoh drew near , the sons of Israel looked e , and behold , the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened ; so the sons of Israel cried out to the Lord . 11 Then they said to Moses , "Is it because e there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness ? Why have you dealt with us in this way , bringing us out of Egypt ? 12 " Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt , saying , 'Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians '? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness ." 13 But Moses said to the people , " Do not fear ! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today ; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today , you will never e see them again forever e . 14 " The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 14:1-14
Commentary on Exodus 14:1-9
(Read Exodus 14:1-9)
Pharaoh would think that all Israel was entangled in the wilderness, and so would become an easy prey. But God says, I will be honoured upon Pharaoh. All men being made for the honour of their Maker, those whom he is not honoured by, he will be honoured upon. What seems to tend to the church's ruin, is often overruled to the ruin of the church's enemies. While Pharaoh gratified his malice and revenge, he furthered the bringing to pass God's counsels concerning him. Though with the greatest reason he had let Israel go, yet now he was angry with himself for it. God makes the envy and rage of men against his people, a torment to themselves. Those who set their faces heavenward, and will live godly in Christ Jesus, must expect to be set upon by Satan's temptations and terrors. He will not tamely part with any out of his service.
Commentary on Exodus 14:10-14
(Read Exodus 14:10-14)
There was no way open to Israel but upward, and thence their deliverance came. We may be in the way of duty, following God, and hastening toward heaven, yet may be troubled on every side. Some cried out unto the Lord; their fear led them to pray, and that was well. God brings us into straits, that he may bring us to our knees. Others cried out against Moses; fear set them murmuring as if God were not still able to work miracles. They quarrel with Moses for bringing them out of Egypt; and so were angry with God for the greatest kindness ever done them; thus gross are the absurdities of unbelief. Moses says, Fear ye not. It is always our duty and interest, when we cannot get out of troubles, yet to get above our fears; let them quicken our prayers and endeavours, but not silence our faith and hope. "Stand still," think not to save yourselves either by fighting or flying; wait God's orders, and observe them. Compose yourselves, by confidence in God, into peaceful thoughts of the great salvation God is about to work for you. If God brings his people into straits, he will find a way to bring them out.