Exodus 14:5-14

Exodus 14:5-14

[5] And it was told  the king  of Egypt  that the people  fled:  and the heart  of Pharaoh  and of his servants  was turned  against the people,  and they said,  Why have we done  this, that we have let Israel  go  from serving  [6] And he made ready  his chariot,  and took  his people  [7] And he took  six  hundred  chariots,  of Egypt,  and captains  [8] And the LORD  hardened  the heart  of Pharaoh  king  of Egypt,  and he pursued  after  the children  of Israel:  and the children  of Israel  went out  with an high  hand.  [9] pursued  after  them, all the horses  and chariots  of Pharaoh,  and his horsemen,  and his army,  and overtook  them encamping  by the sea,  beside Pihahiroth,  before  Baalzephon.  [10] And when Pharaoh  drew nigh,  the children  of Israel  lifted up  their eyes,  marched  after  them; and they were sore  afraid:  and the children  of Israel  cried out  unto the LORD.  [11] And they said  unto Moses,  Because there were no graves  in Egypt,  hast thou taken us away  to die  in the wilderness?  wherefore  hast thou dealt  thus with us, to carry us forth  out of Egypt?  [12] Is not this the word  that we did tell  thee in Egypt,  saying,  Let us alone,  that we may serve  the Egyptians?  For it had been better  for us to serve  the Egyptians,  than that we should die  in the wilderness.  [13] And Moses  said  unto the people,  Fear  ye not, stand still,  and see  the salvation  of the LORD,  which he will shew  to you to day:  whom ye have seen  to day,  ye shall see  them again  no more for  ever.  [14] The LORD  shall fight  for you, and ye shall hold your peace. 

What does Exodus 14:5-14 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

This is the first of Israel"s many complaints against Moses and Yahweh that Moses recorded in Scripture. It is the first of ten that culminated in God"s judgment of them at Kadesh Barnea ( Exodus 14:11; Numbers 14:22-23).
"This is the first example in the Old Testament of what some scholars call "holy war" or "Yahweh war." That Isaiah , this war was undertaken by the Lord in defense of His own reputation, promises, and self-interest ( Exodus 14:10-14; see also, for example, Exodus 15:3; Deuteronomy 1:30; Deuteronomy 3:22; Deuteronomy 20:4). It is to be distinguished from "ordinary" war that Israel might undertake on her own ( Numbers 14:39-45)." [1]