Exodus 14:5-6
New International Version
When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!” So he had his chariot made ready and took his army with him.
For Meditation
What have we done?
The sound echoes through centuries of history from the Palace of the king of the most powerful nation on earth—Egypt. It is not just a tale of the past, but a story that resonates with today’s struggles.
Jacob’s descendants ended centuries of slavery and gave Pharaoh a rude awakening. The Hebrews grew from seventy to over two million during their time in Egypt. Their plea reached the Most High, who delivered them.
Moses, the instrument God chose, delivered His message to Pharaoh to let His people go, but Pharaoh defied the Most High.
“I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him. So, I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go” (Exodus 3:19-20).
And a mighty hand compelled Pharaoh indeed! God devastated Egypt with one plague after another until finally, Pharaoh, unable to bear the weight of his defiance, drove Israel out. The people, who had known only suffering and oppression, now breathed the fresh air of liberty and freedom. They set on the road to the Promised Land, their hearts filled with hope and anticipation.
Witness the joyful aroma as families leave Egypt. Hear the melodic voices singing freedom songs and the fading sound of marching sandals. Hope has come, bringing potential for a brighter tomorrow.
“We are free at last!”
But No! Not so fast, people!
It hurts to lose free labor. Egypt cannot adjust to doing the things their slaves did for free. How can they function without the pleasure of bullying some people and calling them awful names? It is uncomfortable for Pharaoh and his officials to see their former slaves develop into a new nation with so much potential to outclass Egypt someday. They feel the threat because they have lived with them and know their ability if given the opportunity. So, the anguished cry of regret from Pharaoh’s Palace:
“What have we done?”
Pharaoh gives chase with the best of his charioteers—six hundred of his elite squad. He has to bring them back. They must remain in servitude, for that is their only position in life.
All over the world today, the struggle continues. It is not just a historical event, but a recurring social theme—a class war. It’s a battle between those who fear losing superiority and the liberated folks they seek to subdue. This struggle, echoing the past, is our struggle, a shared journey of oppression and resilience.
The end of the story is not just sweet, but a testament to the triumph of divine justice. When Egypt thought they had Israel trapped without a possibility of escape, the Red Sea, at the command of the Most High, became the instrument of their liberation. This was not just a physical liberation, but a manifestation of divine justice, a reminder that the oppressed will always find deliverance in the face of adversity.
What a picture of our salvation (Colossians 1:13-14) and the spiritual warfare believers wage against the forces of evil (Galatians 5:16-18; Ephesians 6:10-18) until glory dawns on us (Colossians 3:4). The good news is that in Christ we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:31-39).
May the oppressed take heart, for our compassionate God will deliver in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Shalom
Through the Eyes of the Spirit 