Topical Encyclopedia The pursuit of the Israelites by the Egyptians and the subsequent destruction of the Egyptian army is a pivotal event in the biblical narrative, illustrating God's deliverance and judgment. This event is primarily recorded in the Book of Exodus, chapters 14 and 15, and serves as a testament to God's power and faithfulness to His covenant people, Israel.Background The Israelites had been enslaved in Egypt for several centuries, suffering under harsh conditions. God raised up Moses as a deliverer to lead His people out of bondage. After a series of plagues that demonstrated God's supremacy over the Egyptian gods, Pharaoh finally relented and allowed the Israelites to leave Egypt. However, his heart was hardened once more, and he decided to pursue the Israelites to bring them back into slavery. The Pursuit As the Israelites journeyed from Egypt, they found themselves camped by the Red Sea. Pharaoh, regretting his decision to release them, assembled his chariots and army to pursue the fleeing Israelites. Exodus 14:6-7 states, "So Pharaoh prepared his chariot and took his army with him. He took six hundred of the best chariots, along with all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them." The Israelites, seeing the Egyptian army approaching, were filled with fear and cried out to the Lord. Moses reassured them of God's deliverance, saying in Exodus 14:13-14 , "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." The Miracle at the Red Sea God instructed Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea, and He miraculously parted the waters, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. The Egyptians pursued them into the midst of the sea. Exodus 14:21-22 describes the event: "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left." Destruction of the Egyptian Army As the Egyptians followed, God caused confusion among them, clogging their chariot wheels and throwing them into disarray. Realizing the Lord was fighting for Israel, the Egyptians attempted to flee. However, God commanded Moses to stretch out his hand once more, and the waters returned to their place, engulfing the Egyptian army. Exodus 14:27-28 records, "So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea returned to its normal state. As the Egyptians were fleeing toward it, the LORD swept them into the sea. The waters flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived." Significance This miraculous deliverance and the destruction of the Egyptian army served as a powerful demonstration of God's sovereignty and His commitment to His people. It was a defining moment in Israel's history, celebrated in the Song of Moses in Exodus 15, where the Israelites praised God for His mighty acts. Exodus 15:1-2 begins, "Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: 'I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted. The horse and rider He has thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.'" The event is frequently referenced throughout Scripture as a symbol of God's deliverance and judgment, reinforcing the theme of divine intervention and protection for those who trust in Him. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 14:5-30And 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? Nave's Topical Index Psalm 106:11 Hebrews 11:29 Library The Antiquities of the Jews Entangled in the Land Of the Three Woe Trumpets. I Know that My Redeemer Liveth Discussion of the Subject of Permission The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus The Reaction against Egypt The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt A Discourse The Last Days of the Old Eastern World Resources What does it mean that God is Jehovah-Rapha? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the purpose of the biblical sign gifts? | GotQuestions.org What is Passover? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Egyptians: Aid the Israelites Against the Chaldeans Egyptians: Alliances With, Forbidden to the Israelites Egyptians: An Enthusiastic Egyptian Instigated Rebellion Against Roman Government Egyptians: Conversion of, Foretold Egyptians: Descendants of the Mizraim Egyptians: Eligible to Membership in Israelite Congregation in the Third Generation Egyptians: Firstborn of Destroyed Egyptians: Hospitality of, to Abraham Egyptians: Intermarry With the Jews Egyptians: Invade the Land of Israel: Under Pharaoh-Necho Egyptians: Invade the Land of Israel: Under Shishak Egyptians: Oppress the Israelites Egyptians: Prophecies of Dispersion and Restoration of Egyptians: Pursue Israelites, and the Army of, Destroyed Egyptians: Refuse to Release the Israelites Egyptians: Refused to Eat With Hebrews Egyptians: Send the Israelites Away Egyptians: The Art of Embalming the Dead Practiced By Related Terms |
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