Exodus 14:13
"Isn’t this the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘Leave us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”"
Key Reflection
Exodus 14:13 comes from a pivotal moment as the Israelites are fleeing Egypt and encountering Pharaoh's army at the Red Sea. The text reflects the fear and despair gripping the people, who had just left their Egyptian taskmasters behind. This verse reveals that they were now facing a new threat in the wilderness—dying of starvation or thirst compared to enduring servitude in Egypt, where at least basic sustenance was provided. This sentiment underscores the depth of their recent deliverance from slavery and highlights how quickly their memories can turn against divine providence when faced with unfamiliar hardships.
More from Exodus 14
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From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes