Study notes
The Lord’s redemptive power was demonstrated as he brought Israel into a place where they were completely helpless and had to either rely on him for rescue or die.
At the time, it might have seemed foolish. But Israel would thank God throughout its history for guiding them to that situation (see Psalm 106:7–12; compare Isaiah 12:2–6).
Pharaoh and the rulers of Egypt wanted the Israelites to be their slaves again.
The Israelites were very afraid when they saw the Egyptian army chasing them. They wished that they had never left Egypt. This showed that it was hard for them to live as free people.
God had shown them grace by saving them from slavery. But they still didn’t understand who God was. They didn’t understand that he would keep his covenant with Abraham.
They began to trust in God as he showed himself to be their Saviour.
God protected the Israelites in a pillar of cloud by day. He protected them in a pillar of fire at night. All the Israelites could see these pillars and know that God was with them.
God made it possible for them to safely cross the Red Sea. They saw how God destroyed the Egyptians.
Then with Moses and Miriam they sang and danced to celebrate God’s mighty work.
The exact locations of Pi-hahiroth, Migdol, and Baal-zephon are unknown.
the sea: See study note on 13:18.
know that I am the LORD: This event was the climactic (final and most important) demonstration of the Lord’s character and power in the Exodus. Through it, God showed clearly who he is and what he can do.
Rescue comes through God’s self-revelation. This means that God saves people by making himself known.
God does this by entering into human life and experience. He makes himself present and active among his people.
this is what the Israelites did: In this part of the book, the Israelites were obedient to God’s commands (12:35, 50). Unfortunately, they did not continue this pattern after crossing the Red Sea.
Pharaoh and his officials did not truly repent. Once the immediate fear faded, they focused on their own interests and they determined to recapture their slave labor.
chariot: At this time in history, the Egyptian light chariot was the top weapon. Pulled by three horses, it was fast and easy to maneuver. Sometimes one person operated it, but some ancient pictures show a driver with a warrior. The mention of officers may suggest these two-man teams. The world's strongest military power was gathering against the Hebrews.
Today, we do not know the exact place where these events happened (see study note on 14:2). However, the original narrator and the first people to hear this story did know the location.
We should not assume that the account is fictional just because we lack precise geographic details today. The story is presented as a real event that took place in a known setting.
This complaint is the first of many that would follow during the next 40 years. Instead of trusting the God who had shown his great power, the Israelites turned against the one who had rescued them.
Their response shows a deeper problem. An unsurrendered heart (a person’s inner attitude, will, or decision-making center) prefers safety over trust.
In simple terms, their attitude was this: “It is better to return to the security of slavery than to face the risk of trusting God.”
At least one person learned from the plagues and applied it to this crisis of faith. Moses did not know what God would do, but he made one of the great statements of faith in the Bible. Moses expressed his confidence in God. It was not the Lord who would fail, but the Egyptians.
The escape through the Red Sea was the climactic moment of rescue. It was the highest point of God’s saving work in the exodus from Egypt.
honor: The Hebrew word translated as honor (kabod) suggests weightiness, importance, and reality. It describes something solid and true. It is not just brightness or outward beauty.
In this event, God showed that he is real and powerful. At the same time, he showed that the political, military, and material glory of one of the greatest human cultures was weak and temporary. It was only a thin covering that could not stand before him.
The night before, the Hebrews were afraid and in a panic. Now the Egyptian army was confused and in disorder. Even though they were highly trained, they could not keep control.
They realized that they faced a power greater than themselves. They could not understand it, and they could not control it.
As with the plagues, natural explanations for this event miss the main point. Some people suggest that a strong wind could push back shallow water. That can happen in nature.
However, a steady wind does not create dry ground with walls of water on both sides. The Bible describes something greater than an ordinary weather event.
The Lord rules over nature. He can act within it and use it as he chooses.
He caused their chariot wheels to wobble: The ancient versions differ on the translation of this phrase. Perhaps there was deep sand where the water had been, and this broke the light wheels of the chariots. In any case, the Egyptian charge through the sea failed, and they became terrified.
the LORD is fighting for them: By this time, everyone in Egypt knew about the special relationship between the Lord and his people.
the people feared the LORD and believed in Him: Sadly, their faith did not last long (see 15:24; 16:3).
To be the Lord’s servant is a position of high honor (see Isaiah 42:1–4; Matthew 12:18).
Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources