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Exodus 14: Making Pharaoh Obstinate


Exodus 14: Making Pharaoh Obstinate

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Nicolas Poussin: The Crossing of the Red Sea

Each time I revisit the Exodus story I puzzle over the fact that God makes Pharaoh obstinate. This seems, at first glance, to be such a childish way to show strength. God determines to set the stubborn Pharaoh as an opponent – which God can do because God is all-powerful. And so Pharaoh sets out with soldiers, horses and chariots

I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them, so that I will gain glory for myself over Pharaoh and all his army; and the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord.

There would be much less drama in the story of the Red Sea crossing if Pharaoh and his troops were not galloping after the lumbering tribes of Israel. The story would be much less memorable if great walls of water did not destroy the Egyptian cohort. And we would be much less tempted to apply the story to our own lives.

Scholars present various opinions on the accuracy of the Exodus story, but no matter their claims or evidence, we reflect on the accounting of a persistent nation longing to be free cast against a determined ruler who suddenly changes his mind. What does this accounting hold for us? Where do we see ourselves? And how much do we rely on the Lord when we are confronted by overwhelming obstacles?

Today we remember this ancient and familiar story as we find our own place in the tale. We are either the reckless pursuers or the holy faithful. We are either driven by obsession, or led by wisdom and hope. We are either blind followers of power, or seekers of freedom.

Does God call us to obstinacy to crash forward without thinking, or to cross the marsh while trusting in God’s wisdom? Today let us determine to set down our own story of untiring faith and profound hope.

Images from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossing_the_Red_Sea and https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/science-red-seas-parting-180953553/

When we use the scripture links to explore differing translations of this story, we find ourselves a

For more on the view that the Red Sea was actually the Sea of Reeds or Reed Sea, visit: http://www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2008/08/New-Evidence-from-Egypt-on-the-Location-of-the-Exodus-Sea-Crossing-Part-I.aspx#Article

For an information and an opinion piece that Moses and the Hebrews crossed the Lake of Tanis (in the Nile delta) rather than the Red Sea, visit:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/science-red-seas-parting-180953553/  

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Published by

Sarah Myers

Responses

  1. Grace Avatar
    Grace

    Sometimes I feel like god is calling me to be a different thing every day. I was also wondering if God can call people to be bad things. Like in this story God like you said makes the pharaoh obstinate. Why would he do that? Was it just to help the people escape? If so, do the ends justify the means by killing all of those people in the Red Sea? xoxo

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    1. Sarah Myers Avatar
      Sarah Myers

      I know. This feels confusing. When we look at Scripture – and at the world around us – with an on/off, yes/no, either/or lens, we will be confused. This is called “dual thinking” or “duality”. If we are able to look at Scripture and the world with a “Yes, and” attitude rather than a “Yes, but” attitude, suddenly we see the enormity of God’s plan and goodness. Mystics understand that God includes all of us and all of creation. When natural disasters happen, rather than think that God is punishing us, “yes, and” thinkers understand that this is the way nature is. They also realize that God abides with us as we move through our suffering. This is also true of wars, murder, rape – all that is bad or evil. God is aware that this is happening and of course could do whatever God wants about the situation. But because God wants to include us as co-redeemers with Christ (we are all adopted children of God), God offers us these opportunities to respond in a compassionate, positive way to disaster of all kinds. God is not a white knight who rides to the rescue. God is a parent who urges us to do what is right WITH GOD. Regarding the story of hardening Pharaoh’s heart, there is lots of commentary. Old Testament, dualistic thinking sees God as a punishing father who manipulates human history – possibly for entertainment! New Testament “yes, and” thinking sees God as a compassionate creator who is so good that God offers us an opportunity to be divine with Christ. All we need do is unite ourselves with Christ. So simple. So difficult. This is what my religion teachers used to say . . . “It is a mystery!” I like to think of it as being “mystic”. Make sense? P.S. I have a friend who feels very sorry for Pharaoh and Judas and prays for them.

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  2. The Exodus Story: History or Myth? | From guestwriters Avatar
    The Exodus Story: History or Myth? | From guestwriters

    […] Exodus 14: Making Pharaoh Obstinate […]

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