Wednesdays with Moses

Read Exodus 14:17-20 – And I indeed will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them. So I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, his chariots, and his horsemen. Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gained honor for Myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them. So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that the one did not come near the other all that night. (NKJV)

What an amazing moment for Moses and the people of Israel. Their freedom celebration has been interrupted with the renewed threat of Pharoah’s army on the horizon. Will the rejoicing turn to tragic mourning? But God enters with an amazing promise…AND MORE. And, it’s the more that should have our attention. First, God tells Moses that the plan may not be what Moses and the people might expect. God has hardened Pharoah’s heart because He has further judgment to bring against Him. Pharoah’s chasing is a part of God’s plan, not a sign that God is losing control. And second, God places His cloud of fire between the people and Pharoah’s advancing army. God will protect them, fight for them and ultimately give them a victory beyond their expectation. He proves faithful—as He will again and again in their journeys. And He will continually prove faithful in our journeys as well.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.