What does Exodus 14:10 mean?
Israel saw the Lord decimate Egypt with supernatural plagues (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24; 10:14, 23; 12:29–32). Finally, these broke Egypt's resolve and the Israelites were freed (Exodus 12:40–41). Led by God (Exodus 13:21–22; 14:1–2), they have followed an unexpected path to the southeast. Pharaoh changes his mind about releasing the Hebrews (Exodus 14:5). He thinks they are lost (Exodus 14:3). So, he leads a large, well-equipped army to bring them back under oppression (Exodus 14:6–9). When they meet up with the Israelites, God has arranged the people along the seashore.The Israelites are frightened by the appearance of these soldiers. As recently freed slaves, they are not well equipped for combat. Even if their numbers are large, the Egyptian chariots can do tremendous damage. The people begin badgering Moses with self-defeating, despairing criticism (Exodus 14:11–12). They also begin to pray: they "cried out to the Lord." This phrase appears often in the book of Judges when the people beg God for rescue (Judges 3:9, 15; 4:3; 6:7; 10:10).