Topical Bible: Prayer: Answered: Moses, for Help at the Red Sea

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The account of Moses' prayer for divine intervention at the Red Sea is a profound example of answered prayer in the Bible, illustrating God's power and faithfulness in delivering His people. This event is recorded in the Book of Exodus, specifically in Exodus 14.

Context and Background

The Israelites, under the leadership of Moses, had just been liberated from centuries of bondage in Egypt. Pharaoh, however, had a change of heart and pursued the Israelites with his army, trapping them between the Red Sea and the advancing Egyptian forces. The situation appeared dire, and the people were filled with fear and doubt.

Moses' Prayer and God's Response

In this moment of crisis, Moses turned to God in prayer. Although the text does not explicitly record the words of Moses' prayer, it is evident from the narrative that he sought divine guidance and deliverance. The Lord's response to Moses is both direct and reassuring. In Exodus 14:15-16 , God instructs Moses: "Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. And as for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground."

The Miracle at the Red Sea

Following God's command, Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord then performed a miraculous act, as described in Exodus 14:21-22 : "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 parting of the Red Sea allowed the Israelites to escape the pursuing Egyptian army. When the Egyptians attempted to follow, the waters returned, engulfing Pharaoh's forces and securing the Israelites' deliverance.

Significance and Theological Implications

The answered prayer at the Red Sea is a testament to God's sovereignty and His ability to make a way where there seems to be none. It underscores the importance of faith and obedience in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Moses' reliance on God and the subsequent divine intervention serve as a powerful reminder of God's covenant faithfulness to His people.

This event is frequently referenced throughout Scripture as a symbol of God's saving power and His commitment to His promises. It is a pivotal moment in the history of Israel, marking their transition from slavery to freedom and reinforcing their identity as God's chosen people.

Lessons for Believers

For believers, the account of Moses' prayer and God's response at the Red Sea encourages trust in God's provision and timing. It highlights the importance of seeking God's guidance in times of trouble and the assurance that He hears and answers the prayers of His people. This narrative continues to inspire faith and confidence in God's ability to deliver and protect His own, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 14:15,16
And the LORD said to Moses, Why cry you to me? speak to the children of Israel, that they go forward:
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Poison and the Antidote
... Moses had often prayed for the people when they had ... narrative seems to anticipate
that, after the prayer had been offered and answered, Israelites would ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the poison and the antidote.htm

Moses the Type of Christ.
... trifling turn of mind,"by neglect of prayer when there ... promise to accept the exchange,
but He answered, "Whosover hath ... I blot out of My book." Moses was not ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon ix moses the type.htm

Sin: Its Spring-Head, Stream, and Sea
... He told her the case, and she answered at once, "My ... Here they were "baptized unto
Moses in the cloud and in ... To go from prayer to robbery, from reading the Word ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/sin its spring-head stream and.htm

The Wilderness.
... and peculiar treasure unto God, They answered with one ... Even Moses had his patience
worn out by their fretful ... Then after a prayer of atonement, a great battle ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson iv the wilderness.htm

Prayer --The Forerunner of Mercy
... be heard, and if I am not answered I pray ... Was there a prayer that preceded that
magnificent overthrow of ... the Lord's people through its bosom, Moses had prayed ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/prayerthe forerunner of mercy.htm

Letter v. Prayer and Fasting.
... Moses prayed for the plagues to come upon Egypt, and they came; again, he ... by this
means our Lord had sufficiently tried her faith, he answered her prayer. ...
/.../letter v prayer and fasting.htm

Marah; Or, the Bitter Waters Sweetened
... For suppose Marah had been sweet, then, Moses had not prayed to God, and then ... There
is a prayer I mean to continue to offer until it is answered, that God ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/marah or the bitter waters.htm

'He Uttered his Voice, the Earth Melted'
... In a sentence, Hezekiah's prayer is answered, and then the ... Thus Moses was given as
a sign of his mission ... in righteousness' did He answer the prayer of Hezekiah ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/he uttered his voice the.htm

Why are Men Saved?
... these things?" is one which is easily answered by a ... in halves; thou didst lift up
thy prayer to heaven ... accepted; thou didst lead them, with Moses, through the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/why are men saved.htm

The Fourth Season,
... Mark how Moses pleads of that account with God ... emperor threatening that then he should
die; he answered, "Did I ... Pour out to God in prayer those fears which the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/iv the fourth season.htm