When We Rewrite Grace as Strength
One of the most beautiful things about the scriptures is how many layers of meaning are tucked away inside them—little breadcrumbs left for us to follow if we’re paying attention.
There’s a small phrase in the Exodus story that captures something deeply human. It shows the way we receive unmitigated grace—undeserved, unexpected favor—and then almost immediately try to rewrite the story so it’s about how courageous, strong, or capable we were all along.
If we notice these hints, they can become a mirror, showing us the ways we do exactly the same thing.
The Long Way Round
When the Israelites are freed from Egypt, God doesn’t take them on the most direct route to freedom. Instead, they’re led the long way round, right toward what looks like a dead end at the Red Sea.
Now, sure—this sets up the dramatic climax we all know. But that’s not actually the reason given in the text. Instead, we read that God was concerned: if they faced war too soon, they might change their minds and go back to Egypt.
It’s true—hardships can stop us from getting where we need to go. Courage matters. But there’s another layer here: the text also tells us the Israelites “went up out of Egypt ready for battle.”
It reads almost tongue-in-cheek, as if the people think, We’ve got this, and God is quietly saying, Come on, friends. Not yet.
When We Think We Did It Ourselves
The whole point of the Exodus story is that the Israelites could not possibly overthrow Egypt on their own. They were a tiny, oppressed community facing an enormous empire. No chance of fighting back.
Yet here they are—fresh from being graciously delivered—and already primed to credit their escape to their own strength.
It reminds me of my daughter on the swings. This summer she learned how to keep herself going with a little push-and-pull rhythm. Big deal in our house. But she still can’t get herself up on the swing without help, and she still needs that first couple of pushes to get moving.
Yet every time she calls out, “Daddy, look! I can do it all by myself!” I can’t help thinking, Can you, though?
That’s the Israelites—ready for battle. That’s me, too. How many times have I thanked God for a gift I stumbled into, only to immediately start retelling it as my own victory?
The Danger of Rewriting the Story
Egypt in this story isn’t just a historical empire. It’s a symbol for all the ways power dominates our imagination.
And here’s the danger: if we take grace and freedom, and then rewrite them as our own achievement, we may set ourselves up to become the next Egypt for someone else—another source of oppression instead of liberation.
Sometimes the story isn’t You’re stronger than you think.
Sometimes the story is There’s a different way for you to move through the world.
A way that doesn’t measure itself against what was.
A way that carries a certain poetry all its own.
