Pharoah attempts to force the Hebrews to return to Egypt

God told the Hebrews to turn back and camp facing the Red Sea. He told Moses He would harden the heart of Pharaoh so he would pursue the Hebrews into the wilderness, and God would “get glory over Pharaoh.” Pharaoh’s final humiliation would teach the Egyptians that the God of Israel was the one true God.

Despite what has only happened only days earlier Pharaoh and his leaders want their slaves back. The Israelites are being told to continuingly to remember what God has done this day and to keep the Passover. While Egypt and Pharaoh seem to continuingly forget what has happened only a day earlier! Despite the miracles performed by Moses, the 9 plagues that have killed and decimated Egypt and the death of all their firstborn. They still believe that they can somehow wrestle back control this time.

Pharaoh took 600+ chariots and the army of Egypt and chased Israel down in the wilderness. They wanted their workforce back. When Pharaoh drew near to the camp, the Hebrews cried out and fear and accused Moses of leading them to their death. The people are fearful and complain. They lifted their eyes only high enough to see the chariots. They seemingly have no arms to defend themselves. Moses told them, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.” Pharaoh still has an opportunity to keep the Israelites as slaves and exact revenge. Israel is on dry land with a sea of water in front of them and Pharaoh coming from behind. They are trapped between the tyranny and the water. The pagan “gods” of this world are capricious and would have considered drowning Israel in the sea for their complaining. However, the true one God is not like them.

God rescues His people through the Red Sea

The angel of the Lord, who had been leading the Israelites in the pillar of cloud and fire, moved between the Israel and the Egyptians and kept the Egyptians from entering the camp.  They are standing between two pillars that are holding the Egyptians away. They are protecting Israel from the tyrant and his army. It reminds us of the doors of the lintel where there was protection from the destroyer. This repetition or pattern is seen in the text here and later in scripture. It is not an abnormality.

God divided the waters of the Red Sea before the Israelites with a strong wind. The wind dried up the seabed so the Hebrews could walk across the sea on dry land. “And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.” Although there is chaos everywhere they shall escape by God creating order so they can walk through dry land amid the sea. When there is no way, God makes a way out of no way. God doesn’t bring you this far to abandon you.

The Egyptians pursued them, but God caused their chariot wheels to get stuck. God brought the walls of water down on the Egyptian army and they were all drowned.

After seeing the great power of God, the people “believed in the Lord and in His servant Moses.”

Categories: Exodus