Topical Bible: Egypt: The Country of: Army of Destroyed in the Red Sea

◄ Egypt: The Country of: Army of Destroyed in the Red Sea ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Egypt, a prominent nation in biblical history, is frequently mentioned in the Scriptures as a land of both refuge and oppression for the Israelites. One of the most significant events involving Egypt is the destruction of its army in the Red Sea, a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Exodus.

Historical Context

Egypt, located in the northeastern corner of Africa, was a powerful and influential civilization during the time of the biblical patriarchs. It served as a place of refuge for Abraham during a famine (Genesis 12:10) and later became the land where Joseph rose to prominence, eventually bringing his family to settle there (Genesis 41-47). Over time, the Israelites multiplied and became enslaved by a Pharaoh who did not remember Joseph (Exodus 1:8-14).

The Exodus and the Red Sea

The account of the Exodus is central to understanding the relationship between Egypt and the Israelites. God raised up Moses to lead His people out of bondage, performing miraculous signs and wonders to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites. The final and most devastating of these plagues was the death of the firstborn, after which Pharaoh allowed the Israelites to leave (Exodus 12:29-31).

As the Israelites journeyed toward the Promised Land, Pharaoh had a change of heart and pursued them with his army. The Israelites found themselves trapped between the advancing Egyptian forces and the Red Sea. In this moment of crisis, God instructed Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea, and the waters parted, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground (Exodus 14:21-22).

Destruction of the Egyptian Army

The destruction of the Egyptian army is a testament to God's deliverance and power. As the Egyptians pursued the Israelites into the sea, God caused the waters to return to their place, engulfing Pharaoh's chariots and horsemen. The Berean Standard Bible recounts this event: "The waters flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea. Not one of them survived" (Exodus 14:28).

This miraculous event is celebrated in the Song of Moses, where the Israelites praise God for His mighty acts: "Pharaoh’s chariots and army He has thrown into the sea; the finest of his officers are drowned in the Red Sea" (Exodus 15:4). The destruction of the Egyptian army served as a powerful demonstration of God's sovereignty and His commitment to His covenant people.

Theological Significance

The destruction of Egypt's army in the Red Sea is a profound illustration of divine intervention and judgment. It underscores the theme of deliverance that runs throughout the Bible, highlighting God's faithfulness to His promises and His ability to save His people against overwhelming odds. This event also serves as a foreshadowing of the ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ, who leads His people from the bondage of sin to the freedom of eternal life.

The narrative of the Red Sea crossing and the destruction of the Egyptian army remains a foundational account in the faith of Israel and the Christian tradition, symbolizing God's power to redeem and protect His chosen people.

Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 14:5-31
And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?
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Isaiah 43:17
Which brings forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as wick.
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Library

The Promised Land
... Seti gathered his army, marched against the rebellious ... he surrendered his crown and
his country for his ... formidable Set-Nekt, returned into Egypt and restored ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlvii the promised land.htm

The Rod that Troubled Egypt.
... upon the cattle and sheep of the country, though the ... land until there was no green
thing left in Egypt. ... prayer, a mighty west wind drove the army of locusts ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xi the rod that.htm

The Way to the Sea
... He left it and entered the rougher country. ... and all their fears; beset such a city
with an army on three ... And this was the confounder of Egypt, the vicar of God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xliv the way to.htm

The Captivity.
... the Edomites who were in the conqueror's army savagely exulting ... assured him that
if he went to Egypt it would ... be to share the ruin of that country; but Johanan ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson x the captivity.htm

On the Holy Ghost and his Descent Upon the Apostles
... up he was an officer in the king's army; but because ... They come to this country in
great numbers"almost a ... killing of the firstborn in all the land of Egypt. ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 9 on the holy.htm

Egypt
... Trusting to the support of Egypt, Zedekiah of ... The Babylonian army which was besieging
Jerusalem retired ... Egyptians retreated to their own country, and Jerusalem ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter v egypt.htm

Following the Cloud.
... but they were led at first through a country without cities ... [Illustration: Destruction
of Pharaoh's army]. ... they began to think of the gods of Egypt, and asked ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xii following the cloud.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty
... king of the Amorites,** and nothing remained to Egypt of the ... until he had been assured
that "the country was quiet ... By dawn the next day the whole army was in ...
/.../chapter iiithe eighteenth theban dynasty.htm

The Israelites
... swept away by revolution, and the army became the ... Samaria, the later capital of the
country, was taken ... Judah, and commercial relations were kept up with Egypt. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

The Finding of Moses
... him all the wonderful stories about his own country, so that ... So Moses returned to
the land of Egypt and boldly ... dry-shod when Pharaoh and his army were pursuing ...
/.../steedman/the babe in the bulrushes/the finding of moses.htm