The Exodus and the wilderness · Exodus 14–15
Crossing the Red Sea
Led by the pillar of cloud and fire, Israel camps beside the Red Sea. But Pharaoh regrets letting his slaves go: he sends six hundred chosen chariots and the whole army of Egypt after them. Trapped between the sea and the Egyptians, the people cry out in terror and blame Moses. Moses answers, “Fear ye not… The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” Moses stretches out his hand over the sea: all night, a strong east wind drives the waters back, and the Israelites cross on dry ground, with walls of water on either side. The Egyptians follow them in; in the morning, Moses stretches out his hand again, and the sea returns and swallows up chariots and horsemen: not one of them survives. The people believe in the LORD. Moses sings, “the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea,” and Miriam the prophetess leads the women with timbrels.
What happens
- Pharaoh sends six hundred chosen chariots in pursuit of Israel Exodus 14:7–9
- “The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace” Exodus 14:13–14
- Moses stretches out his hand: the sea parts, and Israel crosses on dry ground Exodus 14:21–22
- The waters return and swallow up Pharaoh’s army Exodus 14:27–28
- The song of Moses Exodus 15:1–2
- Miriam the prophetess leads the women in praise Exodus 15:20–21
Who is in this story
The lesson
When everything seems closed, God opens a way where there is none: our part is to trust him and move forward. Paul sees in this passage a picture of baptism, which brings us from slavery to freedom (1 Cor 10:1-2).
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.
Quick quiz on this story
What does Moses do to make the sea open before Israel?
“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 the waters were divided. Exodus 14:21
Complete Moses’ words to the terrified people: “The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall …”
“Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD… The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:13–14
How many chosen chariots does Pharaoh take in pursuit of Israel?
Pharaoh “took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them.” Exodus 14:7
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