Then, as if to complete their misery, behold, the Egyptian host is on their track! The imposing army is led by Pharaoh himself, who has repented that he freed the Hebrews and fears that he has sent them out to become a great nation hostile to himself. What a night of perplexity and distress was this for Israel! What a contrast to that glorious morning when they left the bondage of Egypt and with glad rejoicings took up the line of march into the wilderness! How powerless they felt before that mighty foe! The wailing of the terror-stricken women and children, mingled with the lowing of the frightened cattle and the bleating of the sheep, added to the dismal confusion of the situation. {4T 21.3}

Som om de fuldendte deres egne lidelser, se! - ægypterhæren er på vej! Den imponerende hær ledes af Farao selv, som angrede at han udfriede hebræerne og er bange for at han har sendt dem ud for at blive et stort folk til fjende imod sig. Hvilken pinefuld nat har dette ikke været for Israel?! Hvilken kontrast er dette ikke til den herlige morgen da de forlod Ægyptens trældom og med glæde påbegyndte ørkenvandringen! Hvor magteløs har de ikke følt sig for den mægtige fjende! De skrækslagene kvinder og børns klage, blandet med forskræmt kvægs lave brølen og fårernes bræen, forøgede situationens triste forvirring.