And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him:
The pursuit began some days after the Hebrews had left, after the Egyptians had buried their dead and the judgments had ceased, when Pharaoh and the Egyptians realized Israel had fled and would never return to serve them. They regretted consenting to let them go and mourned permitting them to leave as a very great loss of their service. Despite all they had suffered from God's judgments, they were hardened by continual rebellion. They refused to admit the plagues and bereavement and the death of the firstborn were God's judgment by the power of God, and explained them as natural causes.
Making ready his chariot and taking his people meant Pharaoh gathered a very large, well-equipped army for war with horses and six hundred chariots. With him went his counselors and mighty men, his rulers, all the great men of the kingdom, the priests of the idol gods, and the mightiest men of Egypt. The force was assembled for a grand display of power and greatness to frighten and intimidate Israel. Its purpose was to recover the escaped bondmen and bring them back by force to serve again. It was also meant to redeem Egypt's glory and standing among other nations that had heard Egypt yielded to the God of Israel whom they despised, with the priests accompanying to seek the favor of their gods and make success more sure.
God foreknew the pursuit, directed Moses just where to encamp before the sea, and said He would be honored before Pharaoh and all his host. He led Israel by the way of the sea instead of through the land of the Philistines who would have opposed them and made war with them, thus revealing Himself a compassionate God as well as a God of judgment. He appointed the Red Sea for the last display of His power before the hardened Egyptians. The pursuing host overtook Israel while encamped by the sea and trapped them with the Red Sea before them and the Egyptians behind.
The Egyptians shouted in triumph at having Israel in their power and filled Israel with great terror. God then parted the sea for Israel to pass over on a dry path with high walls of water congealed on either side. When the Egyptians in increased rebellion rushed in blindness into the miraculous path, the waters returned and they were utterly destroyed and drowned. This fulfilled the word to execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt.
The pursuit began some days after the Hebrews had left, after the Egyptians had buried their dead and the judgments had ceased, when Pharaoh and the Egyptians realized Israel had fled and would never return to serve them. They regretted consenting to let them go and mourned permitting them to leave as a very great loss of their service. Despite all they had suffered from God's judgments, they were hardened by continual rebellion. They refused to admit the plagues and bereavement and the death of the firstborn were God's judgment by the power of God, and explained them as natural causes.
Making ready his chariot and taking his people meant Pharaoh gathered a very large, well-equipped army for war with horses and six hundred chariots. With him went his counselors and mighty men, his rulers, all the great men of the kingdom, the priests of the idol gods, and the mightiest men of Egypt. The force was assembled for a grand display of power and greatness to frighten and intimidate Israel. Its purpose was to recover the escaped bondmen and bring them back by force to serve again. It was also meant to redeem Egypt's glory and standing among other nations that had heard Egypt yielded to the God of Israel whom they despised, with the priests accompanying to seek the favor of their gods and make success more sure.
God foreknew the pursuit, directed Moses just where to encamp before the sea, and said He would be honored before Pharaoh and all his host. He led Israel by the way of the sea instead of through the land of the Philistines who would have opposed them and made war with them, thus revealing Himself a compassionate God as well as a God of judgment. He appointed the Red Sea for the last display of His power before the hardened Egyptians. The pursuing host overtook Israel while encamped by the sea and trapped them with the Red Sea before them and the Egyptians behind.
The Egyptians shouted in triumph at having Israel in their power and filled Israel with great terror. God then parted the sea for Israel to pass over on a dry path with high walls of water congealed on either side. When the Egyptians in increased rebellion rushed in blindness into the miraculous path, the waters returned and they were utterly destroyed and drowned. This fulfilled the word to execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt.