The Israelites are trapped. The sea is before them, Pharaoh's army is closing in from behind. Panic is in the air. They cry out to God, as we read in Exodus 14:10: "The children of Israel cried out to the Lord." But then, God turns to Moses and says something that seems, well, a little strange: "Why are you crying out to Me? Speak to the children of Israel and have them set forth" (Exodus 14:15).
Wait a minute. They're in mortal danger! Shouldn't God be, you know, doing something? Why is He seemingly dismissing their cries?
Shemot Rabbah sees a deeper meaning here, connecting it to a story from the Book of Genesis – the story of Jacob and Esau. Remember how Isaac, their father, bequeathed different strengths, different inheritances, to each of his sons? "The voice is the voice of Jacob," Genesis 27:22 tells us, while "the hands are the hands of Esau."
According to this midrash, or interpretive story, Isaac bequeathed the power of the voice – the power of prayer, of heartfelt supplication – to Jacob. And to Esau, he gave the power of the hand – the power of action, of might. Esau, proud of his strength, declares in Numbers 20:18, "You shalt not pass through me, lest with a sword I will come out against you." Jacob, on the other hand, relies on prayer, as we see in Deuteronomy 26:7: "We cried out to the Lord, God of our fathers."
So, what does this have to do with the Israelites at the Red Sea? Well, the midrash suggests that both crying out (prayer) and setting forth (action) have their place. Both Jacob and Esau will ultimately receive their rewards, each in their own time. Esau, the one associated with the sword, will face judgment, as Isaiah 34:5 prophesies: "As My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens; behold, it will descend upon Edom." And Jacob, the one associated with the voice, will experience joy and gladness, as Jeremiah 33:11 promises: "The voice of gladness, the voice of joy."
The Israelites cried out, and as Psalms 34:18 says, "They cried out and the Lord heard." God did hear their prayer. But sometimes, prayer isn't enough. Sometimes, faith requires action. God tells Moses, in essence, "I hear your cries, but now is the time to move, to act, to step forward."
God wasn't ignoring their plight; He was calling them to participate in their own salvation. He was reminding them that faith isn't passive. It's not just about asking for help; it's about taking the steps, however daunting, that lead towards liberation. He was telling them that, having cried out, it was now time to act.
So, the next time you find yourself crying out in the face of overwhelming odds, remember the Israelites at the Red Sea. Remember Jacob and Esau. Prayer is vital, connection with the Divine is essential – but faith is also about taking that first step, even when you can't see the path ahead. Sometimes, the miracle happens not instead of our action, but because of it.