Hello and Welcome to today’s exciting Bible study on Exodus 14. In this chapter, we will discuss the Red Sea crossing. According to biblical scholars, the events of Exodus 14 occurred around 1446 B.C.
As usual, I encourage you to turn to Exodus 14 in your Bible. Kindly invite the Holy Spirit to guide you as you read and study Exodus 14. I mention this in all the Bible Studies because it is only through the Holy Spirit that we get fresh revelation and knowledge to understand the word of God. No one else can teach you better than the Holy Spirit Himself. I am using the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible, just in case you want to know.
In the Bible Study on Exodus 13, we read and learned about the law of the firstborn and the way of the wilderness where the Exodus began from Egypt for the Israelites. Today, in Exodus 14, we will learn about the Israelites crossing the Red Sea on dry land. It is undoubtedly the most well-known chapter in Exodus.
Backstory on Exodus 13
In Exodus 13, we read about the law of the firstborn and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The Lord led the Israelites through the wilderness, and Moses took Joseph’s bones from Egypt. The Lord went before them during the day in a pillar of cloud and at night in a pillar of fire to give them light, and He did not leave them.
Without any further delay, let us study together and learn what is Exodus 14 about, shall we?
Exodus 14 Summary
The Lord instructed Moses to tell the children of Israel to camp at Pi Hahiroth, situated between Migdol and the sea, directly opposite Baal Zephon. This was part of God’s plan to create the impression that Israel was trapped, prompting Pharaoh to pursue them. The Lord intended to harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he would follow the Israelites, thereby leading to the display of God’s divine power over Pharaoh and his army, demonstrating to the Egyptians that He is the Lord.
Upon learning that the Israelites had fled, Pharaoh and his servants regretted letting them go. Pharaoh quickly prepared his chariot and gathered a force of six hundred choice chariots along with the entire Egyptian army. The Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he led his forces to chase the Israelites, who had left Egypt confidently. The Egyptians caught up with them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon.
As the Egyptians approached, the children of Israel became frightened and cried out to the Lord, expressing their despair to Moses about being brought into the wilderness to die. They lamented that it would have been better to serve the Egyptians than face death. In response, Moses reassured the people not to be afraid, promising that they would witness the salvation of the Lord and that the Egyptians they feared would never be seen again. The Lord then instructed Moses to tell the Israelites to move forward, instructing him to lift his rod to part the Red Sea so they could cross on dry ground. God also indicated that He would harden the hearts of the Egyptians, leading them to follow the Israelites into the sea, thereby demonstrating His power and gaining honor over Pharaoh and his army.
The Angel of God moved behind the camp of Israel, creating a barrier between them and the Egyptians. This pillar of cloud caused darkness for the Egyptians while providing light to the Israelites throughout the night. Moses then stretched out his hand over the sea, and God caused a strong east wind to part the waters, turning the sea into dry land. The Israelites walked through the midst of the sea with the waters forming walls on either side. Meanwhile, the Egyptians pursued them into the sea with all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and horsemen.
In the morning watch, the Lord observed the Egyptian army through a pillar of fire and cloud, causing confusion among them. He disabled their chariots, leading the Egyptians to realize they were in trouble. They attempted to flee from the Israelites, because they knew that the Lord was fighting for them.
The Lord then instructed Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea to bring the waters back against the Egyptians. When Moses did this, the sea returned to its normal depth while the Egyptians were trying to escape. The Lord defeated the Egyptian army in the sea, with the waters covering their chariots and soldiers, leaving no survivors. Meanwhile, the Israelites walked on dry land through the sea with walls of water on either side. After witnessing the destruction of the Egyptians, the Israelites recognized the great work the Lord had done to save them, leading them to fear and believe in Him and His servant Moses.
Exodus 14 Commentary
1. Exodus 14:10
The children of Israel were filled with fear as Pharaoh and his armies closed in on them. At that moment, they walked by sight rather than faith. The enemy overwhelmed them, and they believed they would perish, even though that was not the case.
They should have focused on God, who had brought them out of Egypt with signs and wonders, rather than being overwhelmed by their enemy. As we read, we can imagine the sound of Pharaoh and his 600 chariots surrounding the Israelites, creating a loud commotion. After all, the enemy roars like a lion, seeking whom he may devour.
2. Exodus 14:13-14
Moses instructed the Israelites not to be afraid but to be still and witness the salvation of the Lord. Sometimes, after you have done everything you can, all you need to do is stand still and see the Lord’s salvation. It is the Lord who fights for His people, and He is both willing and able to do so.
3. Exodus 14:15-16
The Lord asked Moses why he was crying out to Him and instructed him to tell the children of Israel to move forward. He also told Moses to lift up his rod and stretch his hand over the sea to divide it. Certainly, Moses did not know that lifting up his rod and stretching his hand over the sea would actually divide it. If he had known, he wouldn’t have cried out to the Lord on behalf of the people.
We as believers must take action regarding the situations in our lives and move forward with the Lord instead of doing nothing and simply crying out to Him. Here, the Lord commanded the children of Israel to move forward, and Moses was required to take action before God intervened. It was not Moses’s action that divided the sea, but rather the power of God. We must act in faith before God can act.
4. Exodus 14:19-20
It is fascinating to observe that the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved behind them, and the pillar of cloud, which stood in front of them, also positioned itself behind the Israelites. It moved with the Angel of the Lord because the Lord manifested Himself as a pillar of cloud. The Lord literally stood between His people and the Egyptians, serving as a dividing line. He provided light to His people while the Egyptian Pharaoh and his army were in darkness.
Although this occurred in a physical sense, it also carries a deeper meaning. Pharaoh and his armies were blind to God’s goodness and power, walking in spiritual darkness, while the people of God were under His protection and light. The Angel of God is understood to refer to Jesus Himself. He who provided physical light to the Israelites near the Red Sea is also the Word of God, who is the light of all mankind. His light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it (John 1:4-5). Light unequivocally represents life, while darkness signifies death. Furthermore, for the Egyptians, this darkness served as a clear warning of their imminent destruction at the Red Sea because God was not with them.
5. Exodus 14:25
When the Lord troubled the Egyptians, they realized and understood that it was the Lord fighting against them. If we read this quickly, we might overlook its significance, but it’s important to understand that it was not the Israelites who fought the Egyptians; it was the Lord demonstrating His Omnipotence to both the Egyptians and His people. It is a dangerous thing to fall into the judgment of the One True Living God.
Exodus 14 Lessons
What can we learn from Exodus 14?
1. Lean not on your own understanding but trust in God
The Israelites, upon seeing Pharaoh and his chariots chasing them, were fearful. They leaned on their own understanding, thinking they were going to die, and they complained to Moses. However, they didn’t realize that God had a better plan for them. This is why it is important not to rely solely on our own understanding, but to trust in God, who sees the entire picture that we cannot.
2. Keep moving forward in the Lord
When the Lord takes you out of slavery, the enemy will fight against it. Your slavery can be anything that keeps you in bondage, including addictions or a cycle of sin. The enemy will try to tempt you to return to what the Lord has freed you from. However, you must do what the Israelites did and keep moving forward in the Lord. Do not look back at your past or long for it. If it had been good for you, the Lord would have left you there. He rescued you to liberate you, so keep moving forward.
3. The Lord will handle your enemies
The Lord fights for His people. He is Almighty and powerful. This chapter in Exodus serves as a testament to God’s strength and might. It is impossible for the sea to part and form columns on both sides unless the Lord does it; God is indeed the God of the impossible. He is able to handle your enemies, but you have a part to play. You need to be obedient to Him and do what He asks you to do.
In this chapter, He instructed the Israelites to move forward and not to be terrified. I guess they would have frozen in place from fear of Pharaoh or might have been tempted to run to Egypt. Here they were out of their comfort zone of slavery. They had become so accustomed to being slaves, and they thought they were better off (at least alive even though not free) in Egypt than in the wilderness. God also instructed Moses to lift up his rod and stretch his arm over the sea. Both the Israelites and their leader Moses had to obey God’s command. They did their part and God did His. They acted in faith, and God intervened and we are to do the same. Without faith, it is impossible to please God.
The Red Sea, which was parted during the Exodus, remains closed from the day the Lord commanded Moses to stretch his arms and allow the sea to close on Pharaoh and his chariots. This sea is 3,040 meters deep.
Conclusion
This concludes the bible study on Exodus 14. I hope you enjoyed this free bible study and found it helpful in your Bible study journey. Feel free to share it with your friends and family. Also, share your thoughts and what the Holy Spirit has revealed to you about Exodus 14. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Until next time!