A Perspective Corrective

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Exodus 14 Listen: (4:46) Read: Matthew 25 Listen: (6:04)

Scripture Focus: Exodus 14.2-4; 23-28

2 “Tell the Israelites to turn back and encamp near Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea. They are to encamp by the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon. 3 Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are wandering around the land in confusion, hemmed in by the desert.’ 4 And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” So the Israelites did this.

23 The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. 24 During the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. 25 He jammed the wheels of their chariots so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, “Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.” 26 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.” 27 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea. 28 The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived

Reflection: A Perspective Corrective

By John Tillman

When filled with pride or fear, our perspective often needs a corrective.

The judicial hardening of Pharaoh’s heart was punishment for Pharaoh’s unjust treatment of the Israelites and for Pharaoh hardening his own heart despite repeated miraculous signs.

Pharaoh’s hard heart led to increasingly terrible decisions bringing destruction to Pharaoh and Egypt’s army, but knowledge of God and his power to the people of Egypt and the world. “The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” (Exodus 14.18)

At the beginning of Exodus the Pharaoh wanted to “deal shrewdly” with the Israelites (Exodus 1.10). In this passage, any shreds of shrewdness or acumen are abandoned. Pharaoh’s hard heart warped his perspective.

From Pharaoh’s perspective, Israel was fleeing (v 5). From the perspective of Moses, Israel was “marching out boldly.” (v 8) From Pharaoh’s perspective, Israel was wandering “in confusion.” (v 3) From Moses’ perspective, Pharaoh and his army would soon be thrown into confusion (v 24). From Pharaoh’s perspective, Israel was defenseless and disobedient workers, wandering the desert with their belongings, herds, women, and children (v 5). From God’s perspective, the group was an “army” that his power would protect (v 19).

Blind to the truth of what was happening, and blind to the potential consequences of his actions, Pharaoh charged recklessly into the sea where he and his army were destroyed. This can happen to anyone who repeatedly hardens their heart to facts, the scriptures, or God’s revelation, but it is especially dangerous in leaders.

Pharaoh’s wasn’t the only flawed perspective. Fear twisted the perspective of the Israelite’s hearts.

They thought the slavery behind them would be preferable to death (Exodus 14.12), when the path through the sea, representing death and chaos, was the only way to life (Exodus 14.29). They thought they would be buried in the shallow sands of the desert (Exodus 14.11) when Egypt’s army would soon be buried in the waters of the sea (Exodus 14.27-28).

Whether your heart is filled with fear or pride, let the Lord’s perspective be a corrective to your own. Ask God to remove pride and soften your heart. Ask God to quell fear and strengthen your resolve.

The path to life leads through the waters, the valley of the shadow of chaos and death. We are resurrected after we carry our cross, not before. We are saved after passing through the danger, not before.

Despite armies of doubt or hate, march boldly, stand with Jesus, and experience his deliverance.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Deliverance belongs to the Lord. Your blessing be upon your people! — Psalm 3.8

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle.