Exodus Chapter 14
God was not finished demonstrating who He is. The Pharoah had said, Exodus 5:2 “Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.” All of Egypt was about to find out who the LORD is. God told Moses, “And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD.” God will have the last say.
Many have tried to prove or disprove that the miracle that happened in this chapter happened in a different location or that it never happened. I believe that the God who could send a worldwide flood to destroy the inhabitants of the earth is the same God that could cause the waters of a sea to part allowing His first-born son to cross on dry land.
This was all part of God’s plan. He led the people of Israel in a southeast direction instead of a northern direction ensuring that they would end up exactly in this predicament. They were trapped by a body of water that was not crossable and an Egyptian army pursuing them from behind. It would seem they had an unfair situation. And so, they did the right thing in crying out to God in desperation. But as the Egyptians started to close in on them, they did the wrong thing and accused Moses of bringing them out in the wilderness to be killed.
Let's Reflect
1. The Pharaoh of Egypt was distressed with the decision to let Israel leave his bondage and slave labor. Egypt had just experienced 10 horrible plagues but that didn’t matter to him. All he cared about was his power and his need for people to serve him. The Israelites had left on foot walking with all of their families and livestock. How did Pharaoh set out to pursue them and to get them back?
2. The people were afraid when they saw this army coming after them, and rightly so. Egypt had the best and most powerful army in the world. But the Israelites slander against Moses was ridiculous. Of course, there was plenty of land in Egypt that could be used as burial ground. Moses didn’t know how God was going to rescue them, but He knew that He would. What did Moses tell the people to do? See verses 13-14.
3. The Lord let Moses in on the plan in verses 15-16. What was the plan?
4. According to verses 17-18 what was God’s ultimate plan?
5. Before the miracle of the sea parting there was another miracle that God performed that night. What was it? See verses 19-20.
6. The Bible clearly says that God sent a strong wind that parted the waters into two walls of water that they could visibly see as they crossed on dry land. I have always thought about how scary that must have been. Awesome and scary at the same time. The pillar cloud caused confusion for the Egyptians. What did the Egyptian men want to do?
7. God allowed Moses to be His instrument of His power. Moses stretching out his rod had no power at all. But God wanted the people to see that Moses was His chosen leader for them. When the waters returned, it caused the Egyptians to drown. How many of the Egyptians survived?
8. God had saved all of Israel. What did they see on the seashore in the morning?
9. This event was just as important as the Passover. God had spared their lives. They were rescued. What does the Bible say about the way they now felt about God and Moses?
