Exodus 14:1-31 – Crossing the Red Sea
Scene 1 (vs 1-4). An estimated number of 2.5 to 3 million Israelites were trapped between the wilderness and the Red Sea. They camped by the sea in front of Pi-hahiroth, facing Baal-Zephon.
Scene 2 (vs 5-9). Pharaoh and his army with 600 chosen chariots and all other chariots pursued them and arrived at Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-Zephon.
[In addition to the chosen chariots, the Egyptian military force of 50,000 horsemen and 200,000 infantry were also destroyed when the Red Sea closed in on them] (Antiquities by Josephus Flavius).
Scene 3 (vs 10-14). The Israelites feared greatly and cried to the LORD. They were afraid to die in the wilderness. Moses assured them, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD. The LORD will fight for you.”
Scene 4 (vs 15-18). The LORD instructed Moses to lead the Israelites forward and lift up his staff and stretch his hand over the sea. The LORD declared that He will defeat the Egyptians and show them that He is the LORD.
Scene 5 (vs 19-20). The angel of LORD moved and the pillar of cloud moved behind the Israelites to separate the Egyptians from them. Darkness was over the Egyptians’ side but there was light on the Israelites’ side.
Scene 6 (vs 21-25). The Egyptians acknowledged that the LORD fights for the Israelites. The LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night. The Israelites walked on dry land between the walls of sea water led by the pillar of fire. In the morning watch, the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces, threw them in panic, clogged in the chariot wheels.
Scene 7 (vs 26-29). Moses did as the LORD instructed and the sea walls covered the Egyptian forces. By the morning the sea returned to its normal course.
Scene 8 (vs 30-31). The Israelites saw the LORD’s great power, and dead Egyptians on the seashore. They feared the LORD and believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses.
Response
When you are in fear for your life due to overwhelming odds against you, what should be your response? (Rom 8:35-39; Phil 4:6-7; 1John 5:4-5)
