Pharaoh and the majority of the people of Egypt refused
to believe the signs. Repeatedly God sent his punishments and the people
appealed to Moses, promising to worship God alone and free the Children of
Israel but time and time again, they broke their promises. Finally, God
withdrew His mercy and gave the order for Moses to lead his people out of
Egypt.
But when We removed the punishment from them to a fixed term,
which they had to reach, behold! They broke their word! So We
took retribution from them. We drowned them in the sea, because they
belied Our signs, and were heedless about them. (Quran 7: 130-136)
Pharaoh’s spies knew immediately that something
momentous was happening and Pharaoh called a meeting of his most trusted
advisors. They decided to gather the entire armed forces to pursue the feeling
slaves. Gathering the army took all night and Pharaoh’s army did not leave
confines of the city until dawn.
Pharaoh’s army marched into the desert. It was not long
before the children of Israel could look back into the distance and see the
dust raised by the approaching army. It was also not long before those in the
front ranks of the children of Israel had reached the edge of the Red Sea.
The Children of Israel were trapped. In front of them
was the Red Sea; to their back was the avenging army. Fear and panic began to
spread through their ranks. They appealed to Moses. Moses had been walking at
the back of his fleeing people; he could see the army getting closer and
closer. He made his way through the ranks to the edge of the sea. He walked
amongst his people allaying their fears and reminding them to keep the faith to
continue trusting that God would not let them down.
Moses stood at the edge of the Red Sea and looked out
toward the horizon. Ibn Kathir narrates that Joshua turned to Moses and said, “In
front of us is this impassable barrier, the sea, and behind us the enemy;
surely death cannot be avoided!” Moses did not panic; he stood silently and
waited for God to keep His promise, to free the children of Israel.
At that moment, as panic swept over the children of
Israel, God inspired Moses to strike the sea with his stick. He did as he was
commanded. A fierce wind began to blow, the sea began to swirl and spin, and
suddenly it parted to reveal a pathway; the bottom of the sea became dry enough
for the people to walk across it.
Moses began to direct the people across the dry corridor
in the middle of the sea. He waited until the last person had commenced walking
across the sea before he turned back to look at the approaching army and then followed
his people across the seabed. As they reached the other side, the panic and
fear began to overwhelm the children of Israel. They once again began to beg
and plead for Moses to close the corridor. Moses refused, God’s plan was
already in motion, and he was confidant that the Children of Israel would be
safe even though Pharaoh’s army had followed them into the dry seabed corridor.
And We took the children of Israel across the sea, and Pharaoh
with his hosts followed them in oppression and enmity, till when drowning
overtook him, he said, “None has the right to be worshipped but He, in whom
the children of Israel believe, and I am one of the Muslims (those who submit
to God’s Will).”
Now you believe while you refused to believe before and you
were one of the evildoers! So this day We shall deliver your dead body out from
the sea that you maybe a sign to those who come after you! And verily, many among
humankind are heedless of our Signs. (Quran10:90-92)
Ibn Kathir describes the death of Pharaoh, “The curtain
fell on Pharaoh’s tyranny, and the waves threw his corpse up to the western
seashore. The Egyptians saw him and knew that the god whom they worshipped and
obeyed was a mere man who could not keep death away from his own neck.” When
Pharaoh had power, wealth, good health and strength he refused to acknowledge
God but when he saw death approaching he cried out to God with fear and horror.
If humankind remembers God in times of ease, God will remember the even the
lowliest of human beings in times of distress.
Generations of oppression had left an indelible mark on
the Children of Israel. Years of humiliation and constant fear had left them
ignorant and obstinate. Most of them had been deprived of comforts and
luxuries for all of their lives. They longed for anything that was a sign of
wealth or materialism. The children of Israel believed in God, they had just
witnessed the most amazing miracles and signs of God’s power but still they
coveted an idol they saw on their journey out of Egypt.
And We brought the Children of Israel (with safety) across the
sea, and they came upon a people devoted to some of their idols (in worship).
They said, “Moses! Make for us a god as they have gods.” He said, “Verily, you
are a people who know not the Majesty and Greatness of God and what is
obligatory upon you.” Moses added, “Verily, these people will be destroyed for
that which they are engaged in (idols-worship). And all that they are doing is
in vain.”
He said, “Shall I seek for you a god other than God, while He
has given you superiority over the mankind and jinn of your time.”
And (remember) when We rescued you from Pharaoh’s people, who
were afflicting you with the worst torment, killing your sons and letting your
women live. And in that was a great trial from your Lord.” (Quran 7: 138-141)
God had
favoured the Children of Israel. They were led safely out of Egypt and they had
witnessed the drowning of their cruel ruler Pharaoh. When they needed water
God commanded Moses to strike a
rock, which sent forth twelve springs of water for the twelve different tribes
so that there was no dispute. God also sent clouds to protect them from the
scorching sun and to relieve their hunger He sent a special delicious food
called manna, and quail. Sadly, in spite of God’s generosity many of the
children of Israel complained and wanted the food they were used to eating in
Egypt, onions, garlic, beans and lentils.
Moses admonished his people and reminded them that they
had just left a life of degradation and humiliation. He asked why they whined
for the worst bounties when God was providing them with the best. Moses said, “Would
you exchange that which is better for that which is lower? Go you down to any
town and you shall find what you want!” (Quran2: 61). God was providing
bounties and making life easy for the children of Israel while they made their
way to the Promised land, but they were a broken people, unable to stay away
from sin and corruption.
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