Topical Bible: Israel: Pursued by the Egyptians

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The pursuit of the Israelites by the Egyptians is a pivotal event in the biblical narrative, marking a significant moment in the history of Israel's deliverance from bondage. This event is primarily recorded in the Book of Exodus, chapters 13 and 14, and serves as a testament to God's power and faithfulness in delivering His chosen people.

Context and Background

The Israelites had been enslaved in Egypt for several centuries, suffering under harsh conditions. God raised up Moses as a leader to confront Pharaoh and demand the release of His people. After a series of devastating plagues, Pharaoh finally relented, allowing the Israelites to leave Egypt. However, as they journeyed toward the Promised Land, Pharaoh's heart was hardened once more, and he decided to pursue the Israelites with his army.

The Pursuit

The narrative of the pursuit begins in Exodus 14:5-9 : "When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, 'What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us.' 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 LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly. The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen, and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon."

The Israelites' Fear and God's Assurance

As the Egyptian army approached, the Israelites were filled with fear and cried out to the LORD. They questioned Moses, expressing doubt and despair, as recorded in Exodus 14:11-12 : "They said to Moses, 'Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Did we not say to you in Egypt, "Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians"? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!'"

In response, Moses reassured the people of God's deliverance, as stated in Exodus 14:13-14 : "But Moses told the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation, which He will accomplish for you today; for 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 a miraculous event unfolded. Exodus 14:21-22 describes the scene: "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."

The Egyptians pursued the Israelites into the sea, but God intervened once more. Exodus 14:26-28 recounts the destruction of the Egyptian forces: "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.' So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea returned to its place. 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

The pursuit of the Israelites by the Egyptians and the subsequent crossing of the Red Sea is a foundational event in the history of Israel. It demonstrates God's sovereignty, His ability to deliver His people from seemingly insurmountable odds, and His faithfulness to His promises. This event is celebrated in the Song of Moses (Exodus 15) and is frequently referenced throughout Scripture as a symbol of God's redemptive power and His covenant relationship with Israel.

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?
Nave's Topical Index

Library

A Path in the Sea
... And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground ... And
the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/a path in the sea.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... Was Divided Asunder For The Hebrews, When They Were Pursued By The Egyptians, And
So ... CHAPTER 2. Concerning Ahaziah; The King Of Israel; And Again Concerning ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

The Hardening in the Sacred Scripture.
... the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord" (Exodus 14:4); "And the Lord hardened
the heart of Pharaoh, and he pursued after the children of Israel" (Exodus 14:8 ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxiii the hardening in the.htm

The Passover visit
... of Israel in Egypt, when He smote the Egyptians." Thus from ... to give light to those
leaders in Israel, and He ... Returning to Jerusalem, they pursued their search. ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 8 the passover visit.htm

Sin: Its Spring-Head, Stream, and Sea
... But Israel did not remember God's mercies powerfully. ... The Egyptians pursued them;
and when they heard the cracking of the whips, and the neighing of the horses ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/sin its spring-head stream and.htm

Exodus
... Their departing host was pursued by the impenitent Pharaoh ... the fathers knew the God
of Israel only by ... in the other, they dwell among the Egyptians as neighbours ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/exodus.htm

God's Controversy with Man. Rev. Charles Prest.
... all these things manifest; you find Israel in Egypt ... stand out in his palpable acts
with these Egyptians. ... into their ancient rebellion and pursued the Israelites ...
/.../king/the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/gods controversy with man rev.htm

The Promised Land
... He had seen many Egyptians, but they were naked prisoners ... Egypt thought deeply after
the Exodus of Israel, and to ... The course Seti pursued has puzzled historians ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlvii the promised land.htm

The Way to the Sea
... The pursuer had but to follow the pursued in the only ... "Thou hast journeyed farther
than Israel, and Israel is most ... Knowest thou that the Egyptians pursue thee? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xliv the way to.htm

Entangled in the Land
... The Red Sea rolled between Israel and Egypt; and whatever else might trouble the
pilgrim host ... The Egyptians of sin which had so fiercely pursued him are ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/entangled in the land.htm