Topical Bible: God: Dividing the Red Sea

◄ God: Dividing the Red Sea ►

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The miraculous event of God dividing the Red Sea is a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, showcasing His power and faithfulness in delivering the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. This event is primarily recorded in the Book of Exodus, specifically in Exodus 14, and is frequently referenced throughout Scripture as a testament to God's might and His covenantal relationship with Israel.

Biblical Account

The Israelites, having been freed from slavery in Egypt, found themselves trapped between Pharaoh's advancing army and the Red Sea. In this moment of crisis, God instructed Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea. Exodus 14:21-22 states, "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."

This miraculous event allowed the Israelites to escape unharmed, while the pursuing Egyptian forces were engulfed by the returning waters, as described in Exodus 14:28 : "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."

Theological Significance

The dividing of the Red Sea is a profound demonstration of God's sovereignty and His ability to intervene supernaturally in the natural world. It serves as a powerful symbol of salvation and deliverance, prefiguring the ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ. The event underscores God's faithfulness to His promises and His power to save His people against overwhelming odds.

Covenantal Implications

This event is a key moment in the unfolding of God's covenant with Israel. It marks the transition from slavery to freedom and is celebrated annually in the Jewish Passover, which commemorates God's deliverance of His people. The crossing of the Red Sea is a foundational account that reinforces the identity of Israel as God's chosen people, set apart for His purposes.

References in Scripture

The dividing of the Red Sea is referenced multiple times throughout the Bible, highlighting its importance in Israel's history and theology. In Psalm 106:9 , the psalmist recounts, "He rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up; He led them through the depths as through a desert." Similarly, in Isaiah 51:10 , the prophet recalls, "Was it not You who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea for the redeemed to cross over?"

New Testament Reflection

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul reflects on the crossing of the Red Sea as a type of baptism, symbolizing the believer's passage from death to life. In 1 Corinthians 10:1-2 , Paul writes, "For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea."

Conclusion

The dividing of the Red Sea remains a central narrative in the biblical canon, illustrating God's power, faithfulness, and the deliverance of His people. It continues to inspire faith and trust in God's ability to save and sustain His people throughout the generations.

Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 14:21
And 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 made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

In Process of Tithe, that is to Say, in the Tenth Generation after ...
... And dividing the Red Sea, He brought the ... Egyptians, who followed them and entered
into the sea, they were all overwhelmed; this judgment of God coming upon ...
/.../the demonstration of the apostolic preaching/chapter 24 in process of.htm

The Bread of God
... to recognise in the plagues of Egypt, and in the dividing of the Red Sea, the
extraordinary ... It came straight from the creative will of God, and whether its ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the bread of god.htm

Of the Advent of Jesus; of the Fortunes of the Jews, and their ...
... out God displayed the power of His majesty. For He made His people to pass through
the midst of the Red Sea, His angel [561] going before and dividing the water ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap x of the advent of.htm

Whether Christ Should have Been Baptized in the Jordan?
... he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." To this also is to be referred the dividing
of the ... Objection 1: The crossing of the Red Sea foreshadowed baptism ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ should have been 4.htm

Where is the Lord?
... right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water ... a foretaste of the
ultimate victories of God over all ... we have to go back to the Red Sea, and look ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/where is the lord.htm

John Chapter x. 10-Jan
... about the virtues and the vices, dividing, defining, drawing ... came those who came
with the word of God. ... the same spiritual drink." The Red Sea signifies baptism ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xlv john chapter x.htm

The War of Truth
... many things that should make you valiant for God and for ... that has died has passed
the blood-red flag to ... how often it has "pierced to the dividing asunder of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the war of truth.htm

section i.
... with mediocrity; not rending, but easily dividing the community ... contemplation of
the great Attribute of God, His Mercy ... when they have seen the Red Sea, doubt not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/religio medici/section i.htm

Answer to Mr. W's Sixth Objection.
... When the red sea was to be opened to give a ... great use, to convince the people, that
the dividing or returning ... not a casual natural event, but that God was with ...
/.../section vi answer to mr.htm

The Fourth vision "In Heaven"
... his hand, and God overthrew his armies in the Red Sea. ... thus see what come of not
"rightly dividing the word ... place prepared [266] there [267] by God, that there ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the fourth vision in heaven.htm