Do Not Turn Around to Win the Argument

The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Exodus 14:14

Read Exodus 14. Focus on verses 10 through 31. Israel sees the Egyptian army approaching and the sea ahead. The people are terrified. Having left slavery, they now appear trapped between the place they escaped and a barrier they cannot cross. Moses tells them to stand still and see the Lord's salvation. God then tells Moses to direct the people forward. The two instructions belong together. Israel cannot defeat Pharaoh's army by its own strength, but the people are to walk through the passage God opens. Trust includes receiving rescue and moving when He gives a way. The sea crossing is a unique act in Israel's deliverance. It does not supply a formula for expecting every obstacle to disappear. Nor does the command to hold their peace mean oppressed people should remain silent about mistreatment. In this event, God protects Israel while ending the army's pursuit. A striking part of the scene is what Israel does not have to do. They do not return to the palace to obtain Pharaoh's agreement that their departure is justified. They do not need his approval of the freedom God gives. The former master has pursued them, but he does not become the judge of whether they are allowed to leave. There are smaller departures that we complicate by demanding an admission from the person we are leaving. After resigning from an unhealthy job, someone keeps answering messages in the hope that the former supervisor will finally acknowledge the unreasonable demands. A friendship has ended, but the person continues writing explanations to win the final interpretation of what happened. There may be genuine matters to resolve through proper channels: wages, property, custody, safety, or accountability. The chapter does not tell us to abandon those responsibilities. It does help us question a different pursuit, the attempt to make moving forward depend on the other person's agreement that we were right. Sometimes the way ahead requires turning attention toward the responsibilities of freedom. Who is traveling with you? What practical arrangements are needed? Where is wise support available? Continuing to argue with the old authority can consume energy needed for the life beyond its reach. Israel's deliverance is God's work, not a display of superior debating skill. They must cross the sea rather than keep negotiating beside it. If a rightful departure is already clear, you may not need one more explanation. You may need to take the next practical step without carrying an unfinished argument into every new room. Put It into Practice Identify one practical responsibility connected with moving forward. Give it the time you would otherwise spend composing another unnecessary defense of your decision.

Are you delaying a rightful next step until someone from your past admits you are justified?

Lord who delivers, guide people making necessary departures from harmful situations. Help me distinguish unresolved responsibilities from the wish to win another person's agreement. Turn my attention toward the life and duties ahead. Amen.