When Israel left Egypt, they left behind a story of pain and oppression.

At their second encampment in Etham, their intention was to praise and glorify God for all His wonders. The people were guided by a cloud during the day, and by a pillar of fire at night which lit their way. Everything seemed perfect until, surprisingly, God tells Moses to command the people to return:

“Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn and camp before Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, opposite Baal Zephon; you shall camp before it by the sea.” Exodus 14:2

Imagine, approximately three million people having to return to where they had already been. It seemed insane, but the cloud and fire were still like a heavenly GPS guiding the people. Arriving at Pi Hahiroth, the view they had was of mountains to the right, mountains to the left, the Red Sea ahead, and behind them came the Egyptians with all of Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, along with all his army.

PI HAHIROTH meant “dead end”. It looked like a trap, a setback. Nonetheless, it was the place where the people of Israel showed what they had inside them for they surely thought, “This doesn’t make sense. God promised to guide us towards a land that flows with milk and honey and now He tells us to return.” That is when they started murmuring:

“Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.” Exodus 14:11,12

See that the people rebelled against the man (Moses), as if the command of “returning” to Pi Hahiroth had come from him; as if the anointing of God was no longer upon him and he was to blame for the situation that everyone was in.

Unfortunately, we see this story repeating itself nowadays, when many who are taken to a “dead end”, begin to murmur. In other words, when the person conquers, thrives, advances and receives God’s blessings, all we hear is praise and adoration. However, when they have to return to Pi Hahiroth and find themselves at a dead end, they immediately manifest what is inside them, by saying, “I’ve been in the church for so long, I’m a tither, offering-giver and I’m faithful. Why has God allowed this to happen to me?”

People who previously gave glorious testimonies, upon reaching “Pi Hahiroth” – a place for trials – abandon their faith and start looking for culprits, instead of moving forward steadfastly.

We have also seen this happen to pastors, for example, when they leave certain positions in the church and return to positions they had previously held. They were leaders and return to a position they deem to have already fulfilled. They feel wronged, despised, devalued and thus, reveal what is inside them. Some leave and say, “The church is no longer the same. The work might even be God’s work but it is led by men who are flawed, tyrannical, unfair… I’m tired of being used and deceived.” As a result, they end up separating themselves from the church, thinking that their service was not respected.

What does all this show to each one of us? That God allows it to happen. He allows us to go back in order to unravel what is inside us. But why is that? Doesn’t He already know all things? He brings it to light so that the person can see their real spiritual condition and be able to change. Whatever happened is not the reason for their dissatisfaction and revolt against the work of God, but actually what is already inside them.

Moses called the people’s attention, so that they would stop murmuring and trust in God.

“And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:13-14

God told the people to march, instead of murmuring, crying or complaining.

“And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.” Exodus 14:15-16

It was precisely at Pi Hahiroth (the dead end) that God was glorified.

“Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gained honour for Myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.” Exodus 14:18

God has not taken you to the wrong place or abandoned you in the desert. Just believe and trust in His promises. He has never failed and will never fail!