Delivered…But Pharaoh Came Again

by Autumn Dickson

I love the story of Moses and the Red Sea. There is a reason it was used as an example time and time again throughout the history of the scriptures. There is so much goodness.

One of the parts of the story that used to stick out to me was the fact that Pharaoh released them, but then he came after them again. Here are some verses about it.

Exodus 14:8-9

8 And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand.

9 But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea…

I believe that the Lord is in the details, so what do we learn from this idea that the Israelites were free but then once again in danger? I used to think it had something to do with the fact that Christ suffered in Gethsemane and on the cross. He suffered twice as part of the atonement. Was that somehow relevant? Perhaps, but there are always multiple layers and details. Let’s talk about one of the potential parallels from the fact that the Israelites had to be saved from the Egyptians twice.

The Israelites were saved by the death of the firstborns in Egypt. Pharaoh is finally ready to release them, and he lets them pass by into the wilderness. Unfortunately, little time passes and Pharaoh is right back at it. He pursues the Israelites to come and enslave them again.

Think about this for a minute. Christ has saved us. We have passed through those gates and out of slavery.

But the work isn’t done. There is still an enemy after us that has the power to enslave us again. He is relentless despite everything that points to the power of God. He comes after us in his might.

What did the Israelites do? When they faced slavery, maybe even death, again, how did they respond?

Not well in the beginning. They were really afraid and they turned to Moses saying, “Why didn’t you leave us alone to be slaves? It would be better to be slaves in Egypt than dead in the wilderness.” Moses has an epic response.

Exodus 14:13-14

13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Moses encourages them to have faith, turns to the Lord, and the Lord tells him to proceed. The Israelites walk through the Red Sea on dry ground.

So. Many. Cool. Parallels.

The Lord saved them out of Egypt, and He saved them again with the Red Sea. It is so important to note that. The Israelites didn’t make the ground dry so that they could walk across. Moses didn’t even do it. The Lord did it. He was the one who utilized Moses to part the Red Sea. It was the Lord’s power.

And yet, the Israelites still had a job. T