Saturday in Holy Week
Scripture: Exodus 13:17—14:9 (NKJV)
13:17 Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt. 19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had placed the children of Israel under solemn oath, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here with you.” 20 So they took their journey from Succoth and camped in Etham at the edge of the wilderness. 21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. 22 He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people.
14:1 Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn and camp before Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, opposite Baal Zephon; you shall camp before it by the sea. 3 For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, ‘They are bewildered by the land; the wilderness has closed them in.’ 4 Then I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD.” And they did so. 5 Now it was told the king of Egypt that the people had fled, and the heart of Pharaoh and his servants was turned against the people; and they said, “Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” 6 So he made ready his chariot and took his people with him. 7 Also, he took six hundred choice chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt with captains over every one of them. 8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the children of Israel; and the children of Israel went out with boldness. 9 So the Egyptians pursued them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and overtook them camping by the sea beside Pi Hahiroth, before Baal Zephon.
Devotion
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Heb. 13:5) Such words clearly proclaim God’s promise to the Israelites as they departed from Egypt following the Holy Passover. The Lord God remained with His Israelites every step of the wilderness journey, leading them to the promised land. He continued to provide for them with all that they needed.
Momentarily humbled Pharaoh soon regained his arrogance and pursued the freed Israelites in vindictive anger in order to slaughter many and enslave the rest for service to Egypt again. Like so many people today, Pharaoh failed to learn the lesson and thus thought he could outsmart God—but all to his and Egypt’s destruction.
The Hebrews followed the Lord in cloud and fire as He led them to what appeared a dead end. But a dead end it was not! Instead it would prove to be another test for His people—a test to lead them to trust in Him in all things. Indeed, the Egyptians would pursue them, but God was with them and would not forsake them as they in haste would cry out in despair, thinking all was lost.
God’s called and faithful servants continue to proclaim the Lord’s inscripturated truth to His people today, to remind us of His faithfulness throughout this wilderness journey, to assure us that He is with us always to lead us forward in faith in the freedom of the Gospel.
May we not waver in this one, true, and saving faith in our living Savior amidst our trials, but ever hold it dear in lip-service and life-service. The Lord is always with His people in Word and Sacrament.
