Blog

ISRAELITES CROSS THE RED SEA

By: Sarah Bishop

Posted: August 12, 2023

Category: Daily Devotional

Exodus 14:21-31

“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. 22The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. 23The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and chariot drivers. 24At the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. 25He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, ‘Let us flee from the Israelites, for the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.’

Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand over the sea, so that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and chariot drivers.’ 27So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea returned to its normal depth. As the Egyptians fled before it, the Lord tossed the Egyptians into the sea. 28The waters returned and covered the chariots and the chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not one of them remained. 29But the Israelites walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left.

30 Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31Israel saw the great work that the Lord did against the Egyptians. So the people feared the Lord and believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.” 

What wonders these Israelites must have seen in leaving Egypt. From having experienced the ten plagues or wonders of God against the Egyptians, to the institution of the Passover as they were truly claimed as God’s people then to stand before the Red Sea and see Moses’ hand raise. The waters rises as well, creating a literal wall of water around them when they walk through. Did they walk slowly, looking to the left and right, seeing a glimpse of this underwater world? Or did they hurry quickly, staying as close to those in the front of the line as possible just wanting it over?  Or were they throwing glances onto to the path behind them, truly terrified that the Egyptians were not going to let them go so easily and without a fight? Were their arms heavy as they questioned all they had chosen to carry with them or was the excitement of the next horizon fueling them on? How much of what was ahead did Moses share with the people or even did he know as God first formed those pillars of cloud and fire to lead them? So many questions come to mind as I read this action-packed journey and I am sure you have more as its just getting started.

Prayer

Lord of great signs and redemption, we too wish to trust your plan and remember your faithfulness that journeyed with the Israelite people who became your people. May the rememberance of your mighty acts give us strength to face the ‘Egyptian’ power in our own lives. In Christ’s powerful name we pray, Amen.