Pharaoh – Carol Purves

None Survived

Carol Purves Carol's Blog April 9, 2024April 9, 2024Egyptians, Israelites, Pharaoh

Did Pharaoh send his whole army or just part of it after the fleeing Israelites as they left Egypt? To have sent all his warriors would have spelled devastation to his country. Because of the power of God he had lost his slaves. Who would now make the many bricks need to cope with his expanding building programme?

In the confusion in the middle of the Red Sea the wheels of the Egyptian chariots jammed, so escape was impossible. Then as the waters flowed back all the horsemen, horses and chariots were swept into the sea. ‘Not one of them survived’. Exodus 14:28. Pharaoh lost so much on that fateful day. No slaves, no chariots,no horsemen. Pharaoh would have certainly been safer if he’d listened to God.

Moses and the frightened multitude were told by God ‘The Egyptians you see today you will never see again,’ The Lord will fight for you, you only need to be still.’ Exodus 14:13-14. The Lord doesn’t do things by half!

Prince of Light

Carol Purves Carol's Blog October 23, 2023October 22, 2023Pharaoh, Prince of Light, Red Sea

The other evening I did something I hadn’t done since lockdown. Three of us went to the local cinema. We saw the West End musical ‘Prince of Light’. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and a visit I plan to repeat. (though not too often as it was expensive but not as expensive as London.)

Knowing the story of Moses well I was interested to see how they would tackle the story. Of course, it was produced as a box office draw, and not from a religious point-of-view. There was nothing I objected to at all as it was all produced very sympathetically. There needed to be a love interest but the Bible doesn’t give us much detail in that respect.

Great emphasis was made that Moses grew up with the future Pharaoh as his brother and the problems that would cause. Again that was quite possible historically; it wasn’t mentioned in the Bible as it wasn’t important in the life of Moses.The choreography was completely brilliant, the most memorable part being the parting of the Red Sea and the return of the waters. The brilliance of the dancing will stay in my mind for a long time.