Exodus - Part 17 - Exodus 13:17-14:31

The Israelites are approaching the Red Sea. Their route is not a direct path, but God directed them through Moses with a specific goal in mind. He led them with a pillar of cloud by day, which offered protection from the heat, and with a pillar of fire by night which provided warmth during the cold night. God’s supernatural protection allowed the Israelites to travel both day and night for seven days.

God knew that Pharaoh was getting reports on the Israelites’ movements. He told Moses that Pharaoh would think the Israelites were confused by the wilderness.God would use this to harden Pharaoh’s heart one more time so that he would pursue the Israelites. Which is exactly what happened. Pharaoh came after them with all his chariots and caught up with the Israelites where they were camping at Pi Hahiroth.

This terrified the people, so they complained to Moses because they thought they were about to die. Moses told the people to not be afraid because God was about to do something miraculous and they would never see the Egyptians that were pursuing them every again.

Then God commanded Moses to lift up the rod in his hand and hold up his hand out over the sea. This action brought a wind sent by God that divided the water into walls on either side and the Israelites crossed on dry ground. God also moved the pillar of cloud between the Israelites and the Egyptians as a wall to separate them for that night. Then the Egyptian army pursued the Israelites through the sea, but God caused their chariots to malfunction which terrified the Egyptians and they started to turn around and retreat.

Once all the Israelites were across, God told Moses to lift his hand again and by morning all the water returned to its place, and took out the entire Egyptian army. God saved the Israelites and they feared the Lord and his servant Moses.