Exodus 14:6

And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him:

And he made ready {H631} his chariot {H7393}, and took {H3947} his people {H5971} with him:

So he prepared his chariots and took his people with him -

So Pharaoh prepared his chariot and took his army with him.

And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him:

Commentary

Context of Exodus 14:6

Exodus 14:6 marks a pivotal moment immediately following the Tenth Plague and the hurried departure of the Israelites from Egypt. After initially allowing the enslaved Hebrews to leave, Pharaoh's heart, which had been repeatedly hardened, experienced a swift change of mind. This verse describes his decisive action to pursue the fleeing Israelites, setting the stage for the dramatic confrontation at the Red Sea. Pharaoh's decision to "make ready his chariot" signifies his full commitment to reversing the Exodus and bringing the Israelites back into bondage.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Pharaoh's Persistent Defiance: Despite the overwhelming evidence of God's power through the plagues, Pharaoh's pride and stubbornness lead him to again challenge the Almighty. This pursuit demonstrates his unyielding rebellion against the divine will, even after experiencing immense national devastation.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Purpose: This action by Pharaoh was not unforeseen by God. In fact, God had already declared His intention to draw Pharaoh out and display His glory through the impending deliverance (Exodus 14:4). The pursuit is part of God's grand plan to redeem Israel and judge Egypt definitively, ensuring that "the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD."
  • Imminent Danger and God's Faithfulness: For the Israelites, Pharaoh's renewed pursuit signaled immediate peril and the terrifying prospect of returning to brutal slavery. However, it also served as a dramatic backdrop for God to demonstrate His mighty power and faithfulness in delivering His people from what seemed like an inescapable trap.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "made ready his chariot" translates the Hebrew verb asar (ืึธืกึทืจ), which means to harness, bind, or prepare for battle. This implies the active and immediate preparation of his elite military force. The "chariot" (Hebrew: merkaba - ืžึถืจึฐื›ึธึผื‘ึธื”) was the pinnacle of ancient Egyptian military technology, symbolizing speed, power, and overwhelming might. Pharaoh's personal involvement in readying his chariot underscores his determination and the seriousness of his intent to recapture the Israelites or annihilate them.

Practical Application

Exodus 14:6 reminds us that even after significant breakthroughs or moments of divine intervention, challenges can quickly arise. Pharaoh's renewed pursuit illustrates that opposition, whether spiritual or worldly, may not always vanish immediately after a victory. However, it also teaches us that God can use seemingly insurmountable threats to display His power and faithfulness in even greater ways. When facing overwhelming odds, we are called to trust in God's sovereign plan, knowing that He is fully aware of our circumstances and capable of providing ultimate deliverance and demonstrating His glory through our trials.

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Cross-References

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