Exodus 13:14-22, Thoughts from Exodus (8)

1216   Necessary work can be done on the Sabbath.

1303   13:3,7-9: Unleavened bread is tied directly to being brought out of bondage.  It should be that for us when we gather at the Lord’s table.

1309   Is this the first reference to “law” (Torah) in the Bible?  No.  The term was used in Gen. 26:3 of Abraham who kept God’s laws.  And it was used in Ex. 12:49, saying there was one law for the Passover for native-born and for stranger.  This use has to do with the Feast of Unleavened Bread after Passover.  The next use will be with the “manna” where God gave instructions (rules, laws) to establish a test to see whether the people had a heart to keep His laws.  All this is a prelude to Ex. 19 when, at Sinai, the people make a covenant with God to keep, and God lays out the Ten Commandments.  There were other things God did to prepare the Nation for the Mosaic Covenant, including: the establishment of a judicial system (Ex. 18).  Jethro encouraged Moses to appoint others to help in the “courtroom.”

1317   13:17-18: In the same way God shaped Pharaoh’s heart with Pharaoh’s full cooperation (willingness), so here He shapes Israel’s character for good.  He led them on a longer route, knowing they needed to be made ready for the conflict that awaited them in Canaan.  God’s wisdom and goodness are amazing, and often contrary to our way of thinking.

1401   14:1-4: Again, God hardens Pharaoh’s heart with Pharaoh’s full cooperation.  Pharaoh did not set out to harden his own heart; no one admits to that.  Pharaoh’s thoughts are common.  He gets separation from the death of his son and now he wants revenge.  The Israelites look weak.  So he devises a plan.  Note too that the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart is for good.  Pharaoh leads his people in error (he is opposing the will of YAHWEH).  They need to know that “I am the LORD.”  This is grace to Egypt.

1405   Pharaoh was told that they “fled.”  Not exactly true.  Nevertheless, the reason for his “second thoughts” was greed.  “We lost our slaves.”  It’s possible Pharaoh and his associates might have thought that the plagues were all in Egypt, and now that they were out of Egypt they might fare better.  Lots of luck with that view of the God of Israel!

1408   14:8-9: The LORD did this.  He hardened Pharaoh’s heart.  But don’t think that Pharaoh didn’t do as he willed to do.

1410   14:10-14: The keys are: 1) Israel cried out to the LORD.  2) They looked for someone to blame (Moses).  3) Moses put the faith issue before them.