I’m sure it’s not just me, but it’s nearly impossible for me to read Exodus 14:13 and not hear it in Charlton Heston’s voice. That scene in the 1950’s classic The Ten Commandments is iconic, not just in movie cinema but in Americana itself. It’s so inspiring, that for the longest time I thought Hollywood wrote it, not God.
But with all due respect to Mr. Heston, nothing he could say in that film could nearly be as dramatic as the event itself. Imagine standing on the banks of the Red Sea, only to turn and see the Egyptian army in hot pursuit, ready to overtake you and your family.
Imagine the terror of knowing that capture meant either death or a return to slavery Try to feel the desperation that comes from having no escape for either you and your loved ones.
Then, finally, you hear Moses’ voice cry out amongst the cacophony of pain: “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.”
What do you expect to happen? As an Israelite, you’ve seen your fair share of amazing miracles. The plagues were almost otherworldly in scope and created an understanding of God not just as Jehovah, but as “the One who fights for you” (Exodus 14:14). He’s both a universal God of everyone and a personal God for you.
With that in mind, you do as you’re told. You stand still, and you wait for whatever is going to happen from God. But do you do the other thing that Moses told you to do? To “Fear not?” That’s a little bit of a harder spell.
Some people interpret this as God saying that the fear of emotion itself is wrong, but that can’t be what He means. Psalm 56:3 says that “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” The point isn’t to get rid of the emotion, it’s to not let it define you. Fear has to be replaced by faith—manually, if necessary.
The “fear” in Exodus 14:13 has more to do with a type of despair—the same type that was displayed by others in that day who advocated for a return to Egypt. They ridiculed Moses for a perceived shortage of Egyptian graves and argued that slavery was better than death. That’s the fear Moses said not to have.
So, now you’re standing still, all the while having confidence in God’s protection. It’s difficult, but soon you know—you have to know—your faith will be rewarded.
We’re nearly 3,000 years removed from that event, and yet Moses’ words still ring true: “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.” His call is not to one of laziness and apathy, but of courageous action. It’s a testament to faith in motion: Remain rooted in God’s Word, do His will, and do so with the knowledge that He will deliver you.
