Topical Bible: Egypt: The Armies of Destroyed in the Red Sea

◄ Egypt: The Armies of Destroyed in the Red Sea ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The destruction of the Egyptian armies in the Red Sea is a pivotal event in the biblical narrative, illustrating God's deliverance of the Israelites from bondage and His supreme power over the forces of nature and human opposition. This event is primarily recorded in the Book of Exodus, where it serves as a climactic moment in the account of the Exodus.

Biblical Account

The Israelites, having been enslaved in Egypt for centuries, were finally released after a series of devastating plagues that God inflicted upon the Egyptians. Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, initially allowed the Israelites to leave but soon regretted his decision. As the Israelites journeyed toward the Promised Land, Pharaoh mobilized his chariots and army to pursue them, intending to bring them back to Egypt.

The Israelites found themselves trapped between Pharaoh's advancing forces and the Red Sea. In this moment of crisis, Moses, under God's command, stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord then performed a miraculous act: "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" (Exodus 14:21).

The Israelites crossed the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and left. The Egyptian army pursued them into the sea, but once the Israelites had safely reached the other side, God instructed Moses to stretch out his hand again. The waters returned to their place, engulfing the Egyptian chariots and horsemen: "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" (Exodus 14:28).

Theological Significance

This event is a profound demonstration of God's sovereignty and His ability to protect and deliver His people. It underscores the futility of opposing God's will and serves as a testament to His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. The destruction of the Egyptian army is also a symbol of God's judgment against those who oppress His chosen people.

The crossing of the Red Sea is celebrated in the Song of Moses, found in Exodus 15, where the Israelites praise God for His mighty acts: "The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him" (Exodus 15:2).

Historical and Cultural Context

In the ancient Near Eastern context, Egypt was a powerful and influential civilization, known for its military prowess and advanced society. The defeat of its army in such a miraculous manner would have been a significant event, not only for the Israelites but also for the surrounding nations. It demonstrated that the God of Israel was not limited by geographical boundaries or human power.

Legacy and Influence

The destruction of the Egyptian armies in the Red Sea has been a source of inspiration and hope for believers throughout history. It is often cited as an example of divine intervention and deliverance, encouraging faith in God's ability to save and protect His people against overwhelming odds. This event is commemorated in various religious traditions and continues to be a powerful symbol of God's redemptive power.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 14:23-28
And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the middle of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Redeemed Souls Freed from Fear.
... into the Nile, a tyrant whose power was so tremendous that all the armies of the
world ... All the chivalry of Egypt was overthrown and destroyed at the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/redeemed souls freed from fear.htm

Egypt
... rent to pieces, and the city he had built destroyed. ... dynasty, the Nineteenth, arose,
whose policy was "Egypt for the ... I., who once more led his armies into Asia ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter v egypt.htm

Following the Cloud.
... first through a country without cities or armies, where they ... began to think of the
gods of Egypt, and asked ... too, was almost broken, but he destroyed the golden ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xii following the cloud.htm

The Nile and Egypt
... Vainly did their victorious armies follow the Nile for months ... race which it drove
back or destroyed; and there ... that the woman was supreme in Egypt; the man at ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

Hebrews xi. 28-31
... the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the first ... also to a recollection
of the sufferings in Egypt. ... wax valiant" and "turn to flight armies of aliens"? ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxvii hebrews xi 28-31.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... the "foreigners" on the day that Jerusalem was destroyed. ... kings contended in battle
with the armies of Nineveh. ... of southern Arabia to Canaan and Egypt, and the ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

King of Kings and Lord of Lords
... judgments, till at length he was destroyed without remedy ... nations, when they were
brought from Egypt with a ... arm; and when Pharaoh and his armies were overthrown ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxviii king of kings.htm

Book 9 Footnotes
... but who have been great captains of armies, and been ... as he was going into Arabia
and Egypt, where he ... near the same borders, though long ago utterly destroyed. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 9 footnotes.htm

On the Holy Ghost and his Descent Upon the Apostles
... hail, that fell in large pieces and destroyed all their ... killing of the firstborn
in all the land of Egypt. ... be a great general, with powerful armies, who would ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 9 on the holy.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... Mysians, Dardanians, were the national armies of these ... their trees cut down, their
harvests destroyed, and they ... abroad by hidden paths,"* and Egypt enjoyed a ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm