5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled , Pharaoh and his servants had a change of heart toward the people , and they said , "What is this we have done , that we have let Israel go from serving us?" 6 So he made his chariot ready and took his people with him; 7 and he took six hundred select chariots , and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. 8 The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh , king of Egypt , and he chased after the sons of Israel as the sons of Israel were going out boldly e . 9 Then the Egyptians chased after them with all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh , his horsemen and his army , and they overtook them camping by the sea , beside Pi-hahiroth , in front of Baal-zephon .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 14:5-9
Commentary on Exodus 14:1-9
(Read Exodus 14:1-9)
Pharaoh would think that all Israel was entangled in the wilderness, and so would become an easy prey. But God says, I will be honoured upon Pharaoh. All men being made for the honour of their Maker, those whom he is not honoured by, he will be honoured upon. What seems to tend to the church's ruin, is often overruled to the ruin of the church's enemies. While Pharaoh gratified his malice and revenge, he furthered the bringing to pass God's counsels concerning him. Though with the greatest reason he had let Israel go, yet now he was angry with himself for it. God makes the envy and rage of men against his people, a torment to themselves. Those who set their faces heavenward, and will live godly in Christ Jesus, must expect to be set upon by Satan's temptations and terrors. He will not tamely part with any out of his service.