The encampment of the Israelites beside the Red Sea is a significant event in the biblical narrative of the Exodus. This event is recorded in the Book of Exodus, where the Israelites, having been freed from slavery in Egypt, find themselves camped by the sea as they prepare to witness one of the most miraculous acts of divine intervention in their history.

Biblical Context

After the ten plagues and the Passover, Pharaoh finally relented and allowed the Israelites to leave Egypt. Under the leadership of Moses, the Israelites set out on their journey to the Promised Land. The Lord guided them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22). Their route was divinely directed to avoid the land of the Philistines, which might have led to immediate conflict (Exodus 13:17-18).

The Encampment

The Israelites camped by the Red Sea at a location described as Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, opposite Baal Zephon (Exodus 14:2). This strategic positioning was part of God's plan to demonstrate His power and deliverance. The encampment by the sea was not merely a resting place but a divinely orchestrated setting for the impending miracle.

Pharaoh's Pursuit

Pharaoh, regretting his decision to release the Israelites, pursued them with his army, including chariots and horsemen (Exodus 14:5-9). The sight of the approaching Egyptian forces caused great fear among the Israelites, who cried out to the Lord and expressed their distress to Moses (Exodus 14:10-12).

Divine Assurance and Deliverance

Moses, in response to the people's fear, assured them of God's deliverance, 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). The Lord instructed Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea, and the waters were parted, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground (Exodus 14:16, 21-22).

The Miracle at the Red Sea

As the Israelites crossed, the Egyptian army pursued them into the sea. However, the Lord caused confusion among the Egyptians, and at Moses' command, the waters returned, engulfing Pharaoh's army and ensuring the safety of the Israelites (Exodus 14:23-28). This miraculous event demonstrated God's power and faithfulness, leading the Israelites to fear the Lord and believe in Him and His servant Moses (Exodus 14:31).

Significance

The encampment by the Red Sea and the subsequent crossing are pivotal moments in the Exodus narrative. They highlight God's sovereignty, His ability to deliver His people against overwhelming odds, and His faithfulness to His promises. This event is celebrated in the Song of the Sea (Exodus 15:1-21), where Moses and the Israelites praise God for His mighty acts and deliverance.

The crossing of the Red Sea is a foundational account in the faith journey of the Israelites, symbolizing liberation, divine protection, and the beginning of a new covenant relationship with God. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's providence and the importance of faith and obedience in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.Exodus 14:2,9
Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall you encamp by the sea.
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Numbers 14:25
(Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwelled in the valley.) Tomorrow turn you, and get you into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea.
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Numbers 21:4
And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.
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Numbers 33:10,11
And they removed from Elim, and encamped by the Red sea.
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Deuteronomy 1:40
But as for you, turn you, and take your journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea.
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Deuteronomy 2:1-3
Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea, as the LORD spoke to me: and we compassed mount Seir many days.
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The Story of the Grapes from Canaan
... The Israelites could more easily win the land if these men ... forty days they came back
to the camp, and this ... turn back into the desert by the way of the Red Sea.". ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of the grapes.htm

Choosing the Tens
... year in and year out, an angular sea of low ... hard wood, painted in wedge-shaped stripes
of green and red. ... tablets in hand, awaited the coming of the Israelites. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter i choosing the tens.htm

The Power of Ambition.
... (Therefore his name was called Edom, Red.) But Jacob ... South of the Dead Sea, bounded
by the rocky desert ... scholars, is to explain why the Israelites, the younger ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kent/the making of a nation/study vi the power of.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... On the north-east, beside the Khati, distributed throughout the valleys of the ... rate
he concentrated his attention on the regions bordering the Red Sea and the ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... The great trees are overshadowed by him, and he sleepeth beside the reed, the rush ...
the Icthyophagi, a wandering race on the shores of the Red Sea, broil fish on ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

Christian Cemeteries.
... back of a slab from the praetorian camp, containing the ... represents the crossing of
the Red Sea, and the ... Perreau: Education et culture des Israelites en Italie ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter vii christian cemeteries.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... over 720 feet higher than the level of the Red Sea. ... the north-west, and finally projects
into the sea. ... Joshua for the circumcision of the Israelites after the ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

Striking Similes
... As though Pharaoh should set the Israelites to make a pin instead of a ... Red as the
print of a kiss might be. ... She seemed as happy as a wave that dances on the sea. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section viii striking similes.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... and then the eastern shores of the Red Sea, till they ... home among the mountains of
the Dead Sea, had become ... it was consulted as an oracle by all the Israelites. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... Wadys which wind between Koptos and the Red Sea, and by ... assume the defensive both
by land and sea; while their ... took up a position in an entrenched camp on the ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

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