Crossing the Red Sea

Context

Israel’s departure from Egypt was both a rescue and a beginning. After living under forced labor, the people were free to leave, but they had no settled home and did not yet know the road ahead. Moses was leading a large community through unfamiliar country, while Pharaoh still commanded the military power of Egypt.

Story

The shortest road from Egypt passed through Philistine territory. But God did not lead the Israelites that way. He knew that if they faced war too soon, they might lose courage and return to Egypt. Instead, he led them around by the wilderness toward the Red Sea.

The people traveled in organized ranks. Moses also carried the bones of Joseph, who long before had made Israel’s descendants promise to take them when God came to their aid and brought them out of Egypt.

They journeyed from Succoth to Etham, at the edge of the wilderness. God himself went before them. By day, a pillar of cloud showed them the way. By night, a pillar of fire gave them light so they could continue traveling. The cloud and the fire did not leave them.

Then God directed the Israelites to turn and camp beside the sea near Pi Hahiroth. Their position would make Pharaoh think they were confused and trapped by the wilderness. God said he would harden Pharaoh’s heart so that Pharaoh would pursue them. Through what followed, God would display his glory over Pharaoh and his forces, and the Egyptians would know that he was the Lord. The Israelites camped where God told them.

When Pharaoh heard that the people had gone, he and his officials regretted releasing them from slavery. Pharaoh prepared his chariot and gathered his forces: six hundred of his best chariots, along with the other chariots of Egypt and their officers. The Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he set out after the Israelites.

The Egyptian horses, chariots, riders, and troops caught up with Israel beside the sea. When the Israelites saw Pharaoh’s army approaching, they were terrified. They cried out to the Lord, then accused Moses of bringing them into the wilderness to die. They said it would have been better to remain slaves in Egypt than to die in the wilderness.

Moses answered them:

“Do not be afraid. Stand firm, and see the Lord’s salvation.”

The Lord would fight for them, Moses said. The Egyptian forces they saw that day would never threaten them again.

Then God told Moses to command the people to move forward. Moses was to lift his staff and stretch out his hand over the sea. God would divide the waters, and Israel would cross on dry ground. The Egyptians would follow, and God would display his glory over Pharaoh and his army.

The angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel, moved behind them. The pillar of cloud also shifted from the front of the camp to the rear, standing between Israel and the Egyptian army. Darkness covered one side, while light shone through the night for the other. The two camps could not come near each other.

Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. All through the night, the Lord drove the water back with a strong east wind. The sea divided, and the ground between the waters became dry.

The Israelites went forward. They walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with the water rising like a wall on their right and on their left.

Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and riders pursued them into the sea. During the morning watch, the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud and threw the Egyptian forces into confusion. He hindered their chariots so that they could barely move. The Egyptians realized what was happening and called for retreat, saying that the Lord was fighting for Israel against them.

Then God told Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea again. As morning came, the waters returned to their usual place. The Egyptians tried to flee, but the sea swept over the chariots, riders, and all the forces that had followed Israel into the divided waters. None of that pursuing force remained.

The Israelites, however, had crossed on dry ground. The sea had stood on either side of them until they reached safety. That day, the Lord saved Israel from Egypt’s power. When the people saw the result on the shore and recognized what the Lord had done, they regarded him with awe. They trusted the Lord and Moses, his servant.

Then Moses and the Israelites sang to the Lord. They called him their strength, their song, and their salvation. They praised him as majestic in holiness and doing wonders, unlike any other, and they sang of his victory over Pharaoh’s chariots and army.

They also sang of God’s faithful love toward the people he had redeemed. He would continue to lead them and bring them to the place he had prepared, and the Lord would reign forever.

Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand. The women followed her with tambourines and dancing, and Miriam led their response:

“Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously.”

What We Learned

• God’s choice of the longer road shows that his guidance can protect his people even when the way is not the shortest.
• Israel’s complaint shows how fear can make familiar bondage seem safer than a freedom that requires trust.
• Faith in this story is neither passivity nor self-rescue. Israel had to move at God’s command, but only God could protect them and open the way.
• Deliverance called for more than relief. The people answered God’s saving work with awe, trust, and worship, and their song looked ahead to his continuing reign.