Topical Bible: Moses: Crosses the Red Sea; Pharaoh and his Army are Destroyed

◄ Moses: Crosses the Red Sea; Pharaoh and his Army are Destroyed ►

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Background and Context

Moses, a central figure in the Old Testament, is renowned for leading the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage. The crossing of the Red Sea is one of the most pivotal events in the Exodus narrative, showcasing God's deliverance and power. This event is recorded in the Book of Exodus, primarily in chapters 13 and 14.

The Exodus from Egypt

After a series of plagues that demonstrated the power of the God of Israel over the gods of Egypt, Pharaoh finally relented and allowed the Israelites to leave. The Israelites, numbering in the hundreds of thousands, departed from Rameses to Succoth, beginning their journey to the Promised Land. God led them by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, guiding them on their journey (Exodus 13:21-22).

The Pursuit by Pharaoh

Despite initially allowing the Israelites to leave, Pharaoh's heart was hardened once more, and he regretted letting his slave labor force go. He assembled his chariots and army to pursue the Israelites, overtaking them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon (Exodus 14:5-9).

The Crossing of the Red Sea

Faced with the sea before them and Pharaoh's army behind, the Israelites were terrified and cried out to the Lord. Moses reassured them, saying, "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" (Exodus 14:13).

God instructed Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea, and throughout the night, the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind, turning it into dry land. The Israelites crossed the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and left (Exodus 14:21-22).

The Destruction of Pharaoh's Army

As the Israelites reached the other side, the Egyptians pursued them into the sea. At dawn, the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud and threw the Egyptian forces into confusion. He caused the wheels of their chariots to swerve, making their pursuit difficult. The Egyptians realized the Lord was fighting for Israel and attempted to flee (Exodus 14:24-25).

God then commanded Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea again, and the waters returned to their place, covering the chariots, horsemen, and all of Pharaoh's army that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived (Exodus 14:26-28).

Significance

The crossing of the Red Sea is a testament to God's sovereignty and faithfulness. It marks the definitive liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian oppression and serves as a powerful symbol of salvation and deliverance. This miraculous event is celebrated in the Song of the Sea, where Moses and the Israelites praised God for His mighty acts (Exodus 15:1-21). The destruction of Pharaoh's army demonstrated God's judgment against those who opposed His will and His people.

Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 14:1
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Canaan
... are painted red, their hair a light red-brown, while ... in the century before Moses
calls the Hittite land of ... When Joshua crosses the Jordan there is no longer ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm

The Barren Fig-Tree;
... prayer turn away God's judgments from even Pharaoh himself! ... God, down they had gone,
but that Moses stood in ... out of Egypt, led them through the sea, and taught ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the barren fig-tree.htm

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
... the temptation comes, think we can walk upon the sea, but when ... with him so long,
saying, "As for this Moses,"we wot ... are burning hot, as hot as a red hot iron ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/seasonable counsel or advice to.htm

The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment:
... vanish away; could eat with them on the sea shore, and ... Heaven, and Hell, are
fictions.2d, That Moses, the Baptist ... and the grave have still power over his members ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the resurrection of the dead.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... that feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh, made his ... at the
beginning of their voyage, and was rebuked by Moses at the Red Sea, but it ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... The moon is also sometimes made to look as red as blood ... earth, and upon all the fishes
of the sea; into your ... Moses seems by these words, "In the day," to insist ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm