Trusting God’s Direction – Be’Shalach

A few months ago I was talking with my brother-in-law about what it is like to live in Israel. I explained to him the ups and downs of living in the Middle East: the security issues, the language barriers, the cultural complexities, and the economic challenges. I probably shared more details with him than I should have and I more than likely sounded like I was complaining about various hardships. After I finished explaining to him the big picture of life in Israel he asked me: “So why are you living there? Why don’t you move back to the US?” 

It was a good and fair response from my brother-in-law. From all practical perspectives living in Israel is not the best choice for a simple, quiet, and comfortable life. It has never been easy to live in the Land of Israel, going back to the days of Joshua, and it is still a challenge today. I realized that I needed to explain to my brother-in-law that I didn’t move to Israel because I thought it was the best option for my career and comfort, but rather because it was the calling and leading of God. Following God does not always seem logical. In fact, following God can seem quite illogical at times but this is part of the walk of faith. We see a good example of this principle in this week’s Torah Portion reading. 

The Journey From Egypt

The LORD had sent Moses and Aaron to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt but it is important to note that it was also God Himself who was with the people to lead and guide them:

Then they set out from Succoth and camped in Etham on the edge of the wilderness. The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. – Ex. 13:20-22

The LORD went before the people by means of a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. He was a shield from the sun to them by day and a source of heat and light to them by night. 

With the LORD at the lead, He directed Moses to lead the Israelites on the course that they would travel as they left Egypt:

Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Tell the sons of Israel to turn back and camp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea; you shall camp in front of Baal-zephon, opposite it, by the sea. For Pharaoh will say of the sons of Israel, ‘They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’ Thus I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” And they did so. – Ex. 14:1-4

The LORD told Moses to have the people turn back and to set up camp at a certain place next to the sea where they would appear trapped with no where to go. It was an illogical move but God explained that He wanted to draw Pharaoh out and be glorified through his defiance.

The Direction of God

By having the Israelites turn back and set up camp by the sea, opposite Baal-zephon, the LORD was putting His people in a vulnerable position to be attacked by Pharaoh and his army. As vulnerable as that particular camp site was for the Israelites it was actually the safest place they could be because they were obeying the voice of God and they were under His care and protection. No matter how uncertain the outward circumstances may appear, there is no better place to be than in the center of God’s will and protection.

The place where the LORD had the Israelites set up camp is clearly identified by several markers that were obviously known to Moses and the people at that time: “…camp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea; you shall camp in front of Baal-zephon, opposite it, by the sea.” (Ex. 14:2) As clear and concise as the names of these places appear to be, the exact location of where this was is simply not known to us today. 

Although we don’t know the exact location we do know that the place which God chose to have the Israelites set up camp was located by the sea and it was directly opposite something called בעל צפון – Baal-zephon. Most scholars believe that Baal-zephon is referring to a Canaanite god that was added to the gods of Egypt. When God had the Israelites camp in front of this Canaanite deity, Pharaoh would be emboldened to believe that the power was again on his side, whereas the LORD was really setting the stage for the final battle between Himself and the gods of Egypt. 

The name בעל צפן – Baal-zephon is literally translated from the Hebrew as “Lord of the north.” Human beings like to compartmentalize man-made deities by claiming power and authority over certain districts and regions. The irony of this final battle between the LORD and the gods of Egypt is that the LORD would prove that man-made gods have no real authority and that He alone is the true God over all the earth, including all directions: north, east, south, and west.  

The Hidden Power of God

Pharaoh and his army set out to recapture the newly released Israelites and the people of Israel began to fear when they saw the Egyptians. Moses immediately addressed the Israelites as they considered what they should do as Pharaoh and his army approached: 

But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent.” – Ex. 14:13-14

It is important to understand that another meaning of the name בעל צפון – Baal-zephon is “Lord of the hidden.” The irony in the name of this man-made idol being called “Lord of the hidden” is that the LORD Himself revealed His hidden power before the eyes of the Israelites by providing salvation through the waters of the sea and then destroying Pharaoh and his army in those very same waters.  

The LORD God of the universe is the Master planner who knows the beginning from the end. There is nothing on this earth that can thwart His plans from being fulfilled. The LORD had shown His power by destroying the Egyptians and their gods and thus causing the Israelites to know for certain that there is only one true God. 

Moses and the Israelites sang a song of praise to the LORD after they had crossed the sea on dry land and had witnessed the great deliverance of the LORD from the Egyptians. The following verse from this song is a beautiful reminder of the unique power of the living God:  

Who is like You among the gods, O LORD? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, Awesome in praises, working wonders? – Ex. 15:11

There is no one like the LORD. He alone is God!

Trusting God’s Direction

Just as the LORD proved Himself faithful to the Israelites by leading them out of Egypt, through the desert, and through the midst of the sea as they walked on dry land, so He will be faithful to lead us today. The path that the LORD leads us on may not always appear to be the most logical choice in the present time but we need to trust Him and follow Him wherever He may lead us. We must learn to trust God’s direction!

Shabbat Shalom!

If you enjoyed reading this article, share it today with friends! We also invite you to sign up for our weekly Torah Portion commentary on the sidebar to the right.  

Help keep our weekly commentaries free and available to all. Click here to donate today: 

Torah Portion: Ex. 13:17 – Ex. 17:16

Haftara: Judges 4:4 – Judges 5:31

Return to Torah Portion Homepage

Copyright Jewels of Judaism.  All rights reserved 2019