Your heart sinks, certain that they will recapture you and your family, maybe kill you, and, at the least, return you to slavery and punish you.

You don’t know what Moses knows. You don’t hear God’s voice like he does. Sure, you witnessed the plagues, and you heard about Moses’s confrontations with Pharoah, but… still, how does any of that help now? Now that you are trapped…

Then, Moses speaks:

“Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.  The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

What is it that Moses knows that no one else knows? He knows how God works behind the scenes. He know that God saw the darkness and stubbornness of Pharaoh’s heart and made it even darker. He compelled Pharoah to chase after the people of Israel.

Why, though? Why would God set Pharoah against His Chosen People? 

God would demonstrate to the people of Egypt that He is the Almighty God, the One True God. 

And, He would allow the Israelites to lose all hope, to fall into such desperation that there would be no doubt that it was God who rescued them. He would allow them to hit rock bottom, so as to have a solid foundation upon which they might rebuild. 

If only we could see through God’s eyes, then we would have no fear. Fear Not, for God is in control. 

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First, a plague of bloody water is sent against Pharoah. 

Second, a plague of frogs. 

Third, a plague of lice. 

Fourth, a plague of flies. 

Fifth, a plague sickens and kills much of the livestock. 

All the while Pharoah refuses to free the Israelites. When he finally decides to release them, God hardens Pharaoh’s heart and he changes his mind. 

Five more plagues (read Exodus 7-12), the last of which is truly devastating, and Pharoah is glad to be rid of the Israelites. 

Before they flee too far, though, Pharoah chases after them with the strongest army in the world. Once again, God had hardened the Pharaoh’s heart and he had changed his mind. 

When God leads the Israelites to what they fear will be certain death, backed up against the Red Sea, and Pharoah blocking their escape, then Moses reassures them. “Fear Not. Stand still and Watch God deliver victory” (Exodus 14:13-14).

Moses raises his staff. The Red Sea parts. The Israelites escape across the sea on dry land. Pharoah and his army drown. 

As God delivered victory to the children of Israel, He will deliver it also to you. Be still. Watch. Wait. And, cross over on dry ground to the land where your enemies may never follow. 

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