Exodus 14:13
And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
Exodus 14:13
In Exodus 14:13, Moses responds to the people with a deliberate act of faith: “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD.” This is the pivot from panic to trust. The historical setting is the immediate crisis of the pursuing Egyptian army and the impossibility of the Red Sea crossing with human planning alone. Moses’ message reframes the situation: God is not passive; He will act in a way that makes the impending deliverance unmistakable. The phrase “stand still” invites a posture of quiet trust rather than frantic action. The promised outcome—“the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever”—emphasizes finality of liberation and the reversal of captivity. The verse also foreshadows the concept of salvation as a decisive, once-for-all act by God, which the people themselves will later interpret through the lens of Redemption.
This moment anchors a theology of divine initiative and human response. God’s salvation is presented as a past, present, and future event—seen, experienced, and celebrated as an ongoing deliverance for God’s people. The promise that what they see today will never threaten them again highlights the permanence of God’s deliverance and victory over death, sin, and oppression. It also sets a pattern for faith: trust precedes action and is validated by God’s deed. This verse thus undergirds Jewish and Christian understandings of salvation as a liberating act that demands faithful reception.
In daily life, “stand still” becomes a practical invitation to pause, breathe, and choose trust over impulse. When deadlines doom you, or anxiety about outcomes swallows peace, recite this promise: God will save in His timing and in ways that show His power. Pair stillness with action: observe what God has already provided (support from friends, resources, or inner resilience) and then move forward in faith. This could mean taking a modest risk for a greater good—sharing your faith with a coworker, applying for a needed job, or choosing reconciliation. The takeaway is not passive resignation but intentional trust that God’s salvation is near and that obedience opens space for Him to act.
Cross-References: Psalm 46:10; 2 Chronicles 20:17; Isaiah 12:2; Hebrews 11:29