Exodus 14:21-3121And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. 23And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the Lord looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, 25And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians. 26And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. 27And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. 28And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them. 29But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. 30Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. 31And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his servant Moses. (Exodus 14:21‑31)
“AND MOSES stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.”
In the many years since this miraculous event took place, men’s imaginations and reasonings have sought to explain this “phenomenon” by a wide variety of inventive and ingenious theories, yet all the while the magnificent explanation is clearly before them: “And the LORD caused the sea to go back.” This was sufficient for Israel and is so for us. They could enter this opening certain of gaining the other shore in safety, where it is recorded of them: “By faith they passed through the Red Sea, as by dry land.” Hebrews 11:2929By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. (Hebrews 11:29). Through the opened waters they traveled with all their herds and possessions and not a soul or beast was lost. There is no difficulty too great for our God!
But the lot of Pharaoh and his army was total disaster, as will be the eventual end of every enemy of God and His people. The Egyptians should be hardened to follow, and to follow for their own destruction, and God will be glorified both in the salvation of His people and the destruction of their foes.
“And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen... And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians... and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. And the waters returned, and covered the chariots and the horsemen, and all the hosts of Pharaoh... there remained not so much as one of them... Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the seashore... and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and His servant Moses.” 10:23-31. They had indeed “seen God’s salvation! The promise, “the Lord shall fight for you,” had been manifestly fulfilled. Standing safely on the shore, they saw the sea return to its natural state, providing a sure barrier between them and the land of their bondage, as also all that had marked their former life.
The Egyptians “assayed” to follow the same path, but the waters that provided safety for God’s people proved but a grave to them. We see a tragic parallel in this today. Many there are who imitate faith’s ways, but know not Christ as their Saviour. To face the power of death in human confidence is certain destruction. Only those under the shelter of the blood can pass through in safely. All others will surely be overwhelmed. There can be no escape apart from Christ. He only is the way of safety, because He alone has met and overcome death; He is the One who has died, has risen again, and is alive forevermore.
ML-07/20/1969