They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us into the wilderness to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? They said to MosesThis phrase introduces the Israelites' complaint directed at Moses, their leader. The Hebrew root for "said" is "אָמַר" (amar), which is often used to denote speaking or declaring. This moment reflects a critical point of communication between the people and their leader, highlighting the tension and fear among the Israelites. Historically, Moses is seen as a mediator between God and the people, and this complaint underscores the challenges of leadership, especially when faith is tested. Was it because there were no graves in Egypt
The phrase is steeped in irony and sarcasm. The Israelites reference "graves," which in Hebrew is "קֶבֶר" (qeber), a term that signifies a burial place. Egypt, known for its elaborate tombs and the practice of mummification, ironically becomes a symbol of death even as the Israelites face the threat of death in the wilderness. This rhetorical question reveals their fear and lack of faith, as they sarcastically suggest that Moses brought them out only to die elsewhere. that you brought us out into the wilderness to die?
The "wilderness" or "מִדְבָּר" (midbar) in Hebrew, represents a place of desolation and testing. The Israelites' fear of dying in the wilderness reflects their struggle to trust in God's provision and protection. This phrase captures the tension between the promise of freedom and the immediate reality of danger, a common theme in the journey of faith. The wilderness becomes a metaphor for the trials believers face, where faith is refined and dependence on God is deepened. What have you done to us
This accusatory question highlights the Israelites' perception of Moses' leadership. The Hebrew root "עָשָׂה" (asah) means "to do" or "to make," indicating their belief that Moses' actions have directly led to their peril. This reflects a human tendency to blame leaders in times of crisis, rather than trusting in divine providence. It challenges believers to consider how they respond to leadership and divine guidance, especially when circumstances seem dire. by bringing us out of Egypt?
The act of "bringing out" or "יָצָא" (yatsa) in Hebrew, signifies deliverance and liberation. Egypt, or "מִצְרַיִם" (Mitzrayim), symbolizes bondage and oppression. This phrase encapsulates the tension between the memory of slavery and the fear of the unknown. It serves as a reminder of God's deliverance and the call to trust in His promises, even when the path forward seems uncertain. The Israelites' struggle to embrace their newfound freedom mirrors the spiritual journey of moving from bondage to liberation in Christ. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. He is a central figure in the Exodus account, acting as a mediator between God and the people. 2. The IsraelitesThe descendants of Jacob, who were enslaved in Egypt and are now on their journey to the Promised Land. Their faith is tested repeatedly throughout the Exodus journey. 3. EgyptThe land where the Israelites were enslaved for centuries. It represents bondage and oppression in the biblical account. 4. The WildernessThe place where the Israelites find themselves after leaving Egypt. It is a place of testing and reliance on God. 5. The Red SeaThe body of water that the Israelites are trapped against, with the Egyptian army pursuing them. It becomes a site of miraculous deliverance. Teaching Points Trust in God's DeliveranceDespite the Israelites' fear and doubt, God had a plan for their deliverance. We must trust in God's timing and methods, even when circumstances seem dire. The Danger of Looking BackThe Israelites' desire to return to Egypt symbolizes a lack of faith in God's promises. As believers, we should avoid longing for past comforts when God is leading us to something greater. The Role of LeadershipMoses faced criticism and doubt from the people he led. Godly leadership requires perseverance and reliance on God's guidance, even amidst opposition. Faith Over FearThe Israelites' fear of the Egyptian army overshadowed their faith in God's power. We are called to live by faith, not by sight, trusting in God's ability to overcome any obstacle. God's Sovereignty in TrialsThe wilderness was a place of testing for the Israelites. Our trials can be opportunities for growth and deeper reliance on God, recognizing His sovereignty in every situation. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the Israelites' reaction in Exodus 14:11 reflect their spiritual state, and what can we learn from it about our own responses to fear and uncertainty? 2. In what ways do we, like the Israelites, sometimes prefer the familiarity of past struggles over the uncertainty of God's promises? How can we overcome this tendency? 3. How does Moses' leadership in this situation inspire us to lead with faith and courage in our own spheres of influence? 4. What are some practical ways we can cultivate a mindset of faith over fear in our daily lives, especially when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges? 5. How can reflecting on God's past faithfulness, as seen in the crossing of the Red Sea, encourage us to trust Him in our current trials? What other biblical examples of God's deliverance can we draw strength from? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 3:7-10God's call to Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, highlighting God's awareness of their suffering and His plan for deliverance. Numbers 14:1-4The Israelites' repeated complaints and desire to return to Egypt, showing a pattern of doubt and fear in the face of challenges. Psalm 106:7-12A reflection on the Israelites' lack of faith and God's deliverance, emphasizing His mercy and power. Hebrews 11:29The faith of the Israelites in crossing the Red Sea, illustrating the importance of faith in God's promises. People Egyptians, Israelites, Moses, Pharaoh, ZephonPlaces Baal-zephon, Egypt, Etham, Migdol, Pi-hahiroth, Red SeaTopics Bring, Bringing, Carry, Conduct, Dead, Dealt, Death, Desert, Die, Egypt, Forth, Graves, Hast, Led, Resting-place, Thus, Treated, Waste, Wherefore, WildernessDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 14:10-11 5928 resentment, against God
8726 doubters Exodus 14:10-12 5940 searching Exodus 14:10-15 5884 indecision Exodus 14:10-31 4819 dryness Exodus 14:11-12 4230 desert
5265 complaints
5822 criticism, against believers Library A Path in the Sea
'And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: 20. And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night. 21. And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureEntangled in the Land
"For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in."--Exodus 14:3. ISRAEL WAS CLEAN escaped from Egypt. Not a hoof of their cattle was left behind; nor foot of child or aged man remained in the house of bondage. But though they were gone, they were not forgotten by the tyrant who had enslaved them. They had been a very useful body of workers; for they had built treasure cities and storehouses for Pharaoh. Compelled to work without wages, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891 Epistle Lxiii. To Brunichild, Queen of the Franks.
To Brunichild, Queen of the Franks. Gregory to Brunichild, &c. What good gifts have been conferred on you from above, and with what piety heavenly grace has filled you, this, among all the other proofs of your merits, intimates evidently to all that you both govern the savage hearts of barbarians with the skill of prudent counsel, and (what is still more to your praise), adorn your royal power with wisdom. And since, as you are above many nations in both these respects, so also you excel them in …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great They who have not Been Promoted to that Office. ...
They who have not been promoted [to that office] by the bishop, ought not to adjure, either in churches or in private houses. Notes. Ancient Epitome of Canon XXVI. No one shall adjure without the bishop's promotion to that office. Balsamon. Some were in the habit of "adjuring," that is catechising the unbelievers, who had never received the imposition of the bishop's hands for that purpose; and when they were accused of doing so, contended that as they did not do it in church but only at home, they …
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils The Personality of Power.
A Personally Conducted Journey. Everyone enjoys the pleasure of travel; but nearly all shrink back from its tiresomeness and drudgery. The transportation companies are constantly scheming to overcome this disagreeable side for both pleasure and business travel. One of the popular ways of pleasure travel of late is by means of personally conducted tours. A party is formed, often by the railroad company, and is accompanied by a special agent to attend to all the business matters of the trip. A variation …
S.D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on Power The Faults Committed in this Degree --Distractions, Temptations --The Course to be Pursued Respecting Them.
As soon as we fall into a fault, or have wandered, we must turn again within ourselves; because this fault having turned us from God, we should as soon as possible turn towards Him, and suffer the penitence which He Himself will give. It is of great importance that we should not be anxious about these faults, because the anxiety only springs from a secret pride and a love of our own excellence. We are troubled at feeling what we are. If we become discouraged, we shall grow weaker yet; and reflection …
Jeanne Marie Bouvières—A Short Method Of Prayer And Spiritual Torrents Answer to Mr. W's Sixth Objection.
6. and lastly, Let us consider the intrinsick absurdities, and incredibilities of the several stories of these three miracles, p. 36.--As to Jairus's daughter, and her resurrection from the dead, St. Hilary [13] hints, that there was no such person as Jairus;--and he gives this reason, and a good reason it is, why he thought so, because it is elsewhere intimated in the gospel that none of the rulers of the synagogues confessedly believ'd on Jesus, John vii. 48. and xii. 42. St. John's words in the …
Nathaniel Lardner—A Vindication of Three of Our Blessed Saviour's Miracles The Hardening in the Sacred Scripture.
"He hath hardened their heart."-- John xii. 40. The Scripture teaches positively that the hardening and "darkening of their foolish heart" is a divine, intentional act. This is plainly evident from God's charge to Moses concerning the king of Egypt: "Thou shalt speak all that I command thee; and I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not harken unto you, and I will lay My hand upon Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Blessed are they that Mourn
Blessed are they that mourn. Matthew 5:4 Here are eight steps leading to true blessedness. They may be compared to Jacob's Ladder, the top whereof reached to heaven. We have already gone over one step, and now let us proceed to the second: Blessed are they that mourn'. We must go through the valley of tears to paradise. Mourning were a sad and unpleasant subject to treat on, were it not that it has blessedness going before, and comfort coming after. Mourning is put here for repentance. It implies …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Epistle iv. To Cyriacus, Bishop.
To Cyriacus, Bishop. Gregory to Cyriacus, Bishop of Constantinople. We have received with becoming charity our common sons, George the presbyter and Theodore your deacon; and we rejoice that you have passed from the care of ecclesiastical business to the government of souls, since, according to the voice of the Truth, He that is faithful in a little will be faithful also in much (Luke xvi. 10). And to the servant who administers well it is said, Because thou hast been faithful over a few things, …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great The Sovereignty of God in Reprobation
"Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God" (Rom. 11:22). In the last chapter when treating of the Sovereignty of God the Father in Salvation, we examined seven passages which represent Him as making a choice from among the children of men, and predestinating certain ones to be conformed to the image of His Son. The thoughtful reader will naturally ask, And what of those who were not "ordained to eternal life?" The answer which is usually returned to this question, even by those who profess …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God Of the Necessity of Divine Influences to Produce Regeneration in the Soul.
Titus iii. 5, 6. Titus iii. 5, 6. Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. IF my business were to explain and illustrate this scripture at large, it would yield an ample field for accurate criticism and useful discourse, and more especially would lead us into a variety of practical remarks, on which it would be pleasant …
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Exodus 14:11 NIVExodus 14:11 NLTExodus 14:11 ESVExodus 14:11 NASBExodus 14:11 KJV
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