And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pi–hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baal–zephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea.
For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.
And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord. And they did so.
And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?
And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him:
And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them.
And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand.
But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pi–hahiroth, before Baal–zephon.
And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord.
And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?
Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:
But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.
And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.
And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the Lord looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,
And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians.
And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.
And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.
And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.
But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.
And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his servant Moses.
Exodus 14 recounts one of the most dramatic and pivotal events in the Old Testament: the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea. This chapter reveals God's power, faithfulness, and sovereignty, while also highlighting the Israelites' fear, doubt, and eventual awe. It's a story that resonates even today, offering profound lessons about trusting God in seemingly impossible situations.
God's Strategic Direction (Exodus 14:1-4)
The chapter opens with God instructing Moses to alter the Israelites' course (Exodus 14:1-2). This wasn't a random decision. God, in His divine wisdom, orchestrated this change of direction to lure Pharaoh into a trap. The apparent confusion of the Israelites would convince Pharaoh that they were lost and vulnerable (Exodus 14:3). This strategic maneuver served a dual purpose: it provided God with another opportunity to demonstrate His power over Pharaoh and the Egyptians, and it allowed Him to ultimately receive glory through Pharaoh's stubborn resistance (Exodus 14:4). God's judgment on Egypt was not yet complete, and this final act would solidify His reputation and prove to the Egyptians, once and for all, that He is the LORD.
Pharaoh's Pursuit (Exodus 14:5-9)
True to God's prediction, Pharaoh, upon hearing of the Israelites' seemingly aimless movements, regretted releasing them from slavery. His question, "What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us" (Exodus 14:5), reveals his hardened heart and shortsightedness. Driven by greed and a desire to reassert his authority, Pharaoh mobilized his army, including six hundred select chariots, and pursued the Israelites with relentless determination. He caught up with them as they camped by the sea (Exodus 14:6-9), seemingly trapping them between the sea and the advancing Egyptian forces.
Fear and Complaint (Exodus 14:10-12)
The Israelites, upon seeing the approaching Egyptian army, were overcome with terror. Trapped between the sea and the enemy, they cried out to the LORD for help (Exodus 14:10). However, their fear quickly morphed into complaint and resentment. They turned on Moses, the very man who had led them out of slavery, accusing him of leading them to their deaths in the wilderness. "Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness?" they asked (Exodus 14:11). They lamented that they would have been better off remaining slaves in Egypt than facing certain death in the desert (Exodus 14:12). This reaction reveals their lack of faith and their failure to recognize God's hand in their deliverance. They were focusing on their immediate circumstances rather than trusting in God's promises.
Moses' Encouragement and God's Command (Exodus 14:13-20)
In the face of the Israelites' panic, Moses displayed remarkable faith and leadership. He urged them, "Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the LORD’s salvation… The LORD will fight for you, and you must be quiet" (Exodus 14:13-14). Moses called them to trust in God's deliverance. Even when fear tempts us to flee, we can choose to stand firm, knowing that God is our protector. Moses' words are a powerful reminder that our focus should be on God, not on our fears. He encouraged them to shift their attention away from the Egyptians and the sea and to recognize that the Lord would indeed fight on their behalf.
God then instructed Moses to stretch out his staff over the sea and divide it, creating a path for the Israelites to walk through on dry ground (Exodus 14:16). Simultaneously, God would harden the hearts of the Egyptians, compelling them to pursue the Israelites into the sea (Exodus 14:15, 17-18). As the Israelites prepared to cross, the angel of God, who had been leading them in a pillar of cloud, moved behind them, acting as a guardian and preventing the Egyptians from overtaking them (Exodus 14:19-20). This divine intervention provided both physical protection and a powerful symbol of God's unwavering presence.
The Parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22)
Moses obeyed God's command, and the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind all night, making the sea into dry ground (Exodus 14:21). The Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground, with the water forming a wall on their right and left (Exodus 14:22). God performed not one, but two miracles. Not only did He split the sea, but He also dried the ground, providing an unexpected level of provision. We, too, should be open to the lavish, unexpected miracles that often accompany the more obvious ways that God works in our lives. Thanking Him for these blessings brings Him the glory He deserves.
The Egyptians' Pursuit and Defeat (Exodus 14:23-28)
Despite witnessing the miraculous parting of the sea, the Egyptians, driven by their hardened hearts, continued their pursuit. However, as they entered the sea, God threw them into confusion, causing their chariot wheels to swerve and making it difficult for them to maneuver (Exodus 14:23-25). The Egyptians, finally realizing that the LORD was fighting for the Israelites, attempted to retreat, crying out, "Let’s get away from Israel, because the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt" (Exodus 14:25).
But it was too late. God instructed Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea once more (Exodus 14:26). As the Egyptians tried to escape, the sea returned to its normal state, engulfing the chariots, horsemen, and the entire Egyptian army (Exodus 14:27-28). Not a single one of them survived. The very king who had defied the God of creation had his army destroyed by God's creation.
Israel's Deliverance and Awe (Exodus 14:29-31)
The Israelites, having safely crossed the Red Sea, witnessed the complete destruction of their enemies (Exodus 14:29). This display of God's great power instilled in them a profound sense of awe and reverence. "When the Israelites saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses" (Exodus 14:31). Their fear was no longer a paralyzing fear, but a respectful fear of God's power and sovereignty.
The correct response to deliverance from a crisis is to fear the Lord, to take Him and His work on your behalf seriously. Give Him the praise He is due and submit to His agenda. This chapter demonstrates that God is sovereignly directing the whole encounter. God often places his people in dilemmas, so that He can be glorified as He teaches us more about Himself and accomplishes His purposes in our lives.
Exodus 14 is a timeless reminder of God's power, faithfulness, and sovereignty. It teaches us to trust in Him even when faced with seemingly impossible situations, to shift our focus from our fears to His promises, and to respond to His deliverance with awe, gratitude, and obedience. The miracle at the Red Sea is not just a historical event; it is a powerful symbol of God's ability to deliver us from any bondage and to lead us into a life of freedom and purpose.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pi–hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baal–zephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea.
For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.
And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord. And they did so.
And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?
And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him:
And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them.
And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand.
But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pi–hahiroth, before Baal–zephon.
And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord.
And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?
Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:
But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.
And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.
And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the Lord looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,
And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians.
And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.
And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.
And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.
But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.
And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his servant Moses.
Exodus 14 recounts one of the most dramatic and pivotal events in the Old Testament: the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea. This chapter reveals God's power, faithfulness, and sovereignty, while also highlighting the Israelites' fear, doubt, and eventual awe. It's a story that resonates even today, offering profound lessons about trusting God in seemingly impossible situations.
God's Strategic Direction (Exodus 14:1-4)
The chapter opens with God instructing Moses to alter the Israelites' course (Exodus 14:1-2). This wasn't a random decision. God, in His divine wisdom, orchestrated this change of direction to lure Pharaoh into a trap. The apparent confusion of the Israelites would convince Pharaoh that they were lost and vulnerable (Exodus 14:3). This strategic maneuver served a dual purpose: it provided God with another opportunity to demonstrate His power over Pharaoh and the Egyptians, and it allowed Him to ultimately receive glory through Pharaoh's stubborn resistance (Exodus 14:4). God's judgment on Egypt was not yet complete, and this final act would solidify His reputation and prove to the Egyptians, once and for all, that He is the LORD.
Pharaoh's Pursuit (Exodus 14:5-9)
True to God's prediction, Pharaoh, upon hearing of the Israelites' seemingly aimless movements, regretted releasing them from slavery. His question, "What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us" (Exodus 14:5), reveals his hardened heart and shortsightedness. Driven by greed and a desire to reassert his authority, Pharaoh mobilized his army, including six hundred select chariots, and pursued the Israelites with relentless determination. He caught up with them as they camped by the sea (Exodus 14:6-9), seemingly trapping them between the sea and the advancing Egyptian forces.
Fear and Complaint (Exodus 14:10-12)
The Israelites, upon seeing the approaching Egyptian army, were overcome with terror. Trapped between the sea and the enemy, they cried out to the LORD for help (Exodus 14:10). However, their fear quickly morphed into complaint and resentment. They turned on Moses, the very man who had led them out of slavery, accusing him of leading them to their deaths in the wilderness. "Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness?" they asked (Exodus 14:11). They lamented that they would have been better off remaining slaves in Egypt than facing certain death in the desert (Exodus 14:12). This reaction reveals their lack of faith and their failure to recognize God's hand in their deliverance. They were focusing on their immediate circumstances rather than trusting in God's promises.
Moses' Encouragement and God's Command (Exodus 14:13-20)
In the face of the Israelites' panic, Moses displayed remarkable faith and leadership. He urged them, "Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the LORD’s salvation… The LORD will fight for you, and you must be quiet" (Exodus 14:13-14). Moses called them to trust in God's deliverance. Even when fear tempts us to flee, we can choose to stand firm, knowing that God is our protector. Moses' words are a powerful reminder that our focus should be on God, not on our fears. He encouraged them to shift their attention away from the Egyptians and the sea and to recognize that the Lord would indeed fight on their behalf.
God then instructed Moses to stretch out his staff over the sea and divide it, creating a path for the Israelites to walk through on dry ground (Exodus 14:16). Simultaneously, God would harden the hearts of the Egyptians, compelling them to pursue the Israelites into the sea (Exodus 14:15, 17-18). As the Israelites prepared to cross, the angel of God, who had been leading them in a pillar of cloud, moved behind them, acting as a guardian and preventing the Egyptians from overtaking them (Exodus 14:19-20). This divine intervention provided both physical protection and a powerful symbol of God's unwavering presence.
The Parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22)
Moses obeyed God's command, and the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind all night, making the sea into dry ground (Exodus 14:21). The Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground, with the water forming a wall on their right and left (Exodus 14:22). God performed not one, but two miracles. Not only did He split the sea, but He also dried the ground, providing an unexpected level of provision. We, too, should be open to the lavish, unexpected miracles that often accompany the more obvious ways that God works in our lives. Thanking Him for these blessings brings Him the glory He deserves.
The Egyptians' Pursuit and Defeat (Exodus 14:23-28)
Despite witnessing the miraculous parting of the sea, the Egyptians, driven by their hardened hearts, continued their pursuit. However, as they entered the sea, God threw them into confusion, causing their chariot wheels to swerve and making it difficult for them to maneuver (Exodus 14:23-25). The Egyptians, finally realizing that the LORD was fighting for the Israelites, attempted to retreat, crying out, "Let’s get away from Israel, because the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt" (Exodus 14:25).
But it was too late. God instructed Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea once more (Exodus 14:26). As the Egyptians tried to escape, the sea returned to its normal state, engulfing the chariots, horsemen, and the entire Egyptian army (Exodus 14:27-28). Not a single one of them survived. The very king who had defied the God of creation had his army destroyed by God's creation.
Israel's Deliverance and Awe (Exodus 14:29-31)
The Israelites, having safely crossed the Red Sea, witnessed the complete destruction of their enemies (Exodus 14:29). This display of God's great power instilled in them a profound sense of awe and reverence. "When the Israelites saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses" (Exodus 14:31). Their fear was no longer a paralyzing fear, but a respectful fear of God's power and sovereignty.
The correct response to deliverance from a crisis is to fear the Lord, to take Him and His work on your behalf seriously. Give Him the praise He is due and submit to His agenda. This chapter demonstrates that God is sovereignly directing the whole encounter. God often places his people in dilemmas, so that He can be glorified as He teaches us more about Himself and accomplishes His purposes in our lives.
Exodus 14 is a timeless reminder of God's power, faithfulness, and sovereignty. It teaches us to trust in Him even when faced with seemingly impossible situations, to shift our focus from our fears to His promises, and to respond to His deliverance with awe, gratitude, and obedience. The miracle at the Red Sea is not just a historical event; it is a powerful symbol of God's ability to deliver us from any bondage and to lead us into a life of freedom and purpose.