The LORD instructed Israel to encamp by the Red Sea, intending to harden Pharaoh's heart so he would pursue them, allowing God to be glorified. As Pharaoh and his army approached, the terrified Israelites complained to Moses, who assured them that the LORD would fight for them. Moses then stretched out his rod, and the LORD divided the Red Sea, enabling Israel to cross on dry ground while the pursuing Egyptian army was drowned when the waters returned.
Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea.
And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD. And they did so.
And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?
And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand.
But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon.
¶ And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.
And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?
Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.
And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.
¶ 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.
And 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,
And 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.
And 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.
And 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.
And 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.
And 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.
Study Notes for Exodus 14
Verse 2
Pihahiroth, Migdol, and Baalzephon mark the location where Israel was strategically positioned to appear trapped. Their exact locations are uncertain, but they define the geographical trap set by God.
Verse 3
God deliberately sets the stage for a final confrontation, using the geography to reinforce Pharaoh's assumption that Israel is lost and vulnerable to recapture.
Verse 4
This hardening of Pharaoh's heart ensures the final, climactic demonstration of Yahweh's power, providing 'honor' (glory/vindication) over Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt.
Verse 7
The 'six hundred chosen chariots' represent the elite fighting force, highlighting the seriousness and scale of the Egyptian counter-attack against the unarmed Israelites.
Verse 8
Going out 'with an high hand' contrasts Israel's confident departure (under divine protection) with the immediate danger they now face due to God’s continued hardening of Pharaoh.
Verse 11
This bitter complaint highlights the extreme panic and lack of faith among the people, who quickly forget the recent plagues and divine deliverance.
Verse 13
Moses’ response is a classic statement of divine warfare theology: Israel is called to 'stand still' and witness God’s salvation, for the battle belongs entirely to the LORD.
Verse 16
The rod, previously used to enact the plagues, now becomes the instrument for dividing the sea, symbolizing Moses' delegated authority to perform God's mighty acts.
Verse 18
The purpose of the impending destruction is explicitly theological: the Egyptians must acknowledge Yahweh’s supremacy over all powers and deities.
Verse 19
The Angel of God (often identified with the LORD himself) and the pillar of cloud shift position, moving from leading Israel to protecting their rear flank.
Verse 20
The pillar acts as both a protective barrier and a judgment instrument, providing light for Israel while plunging the Egyptian camp into darkness and confusion, preventing attack during the night.
Verse 21
The strong east wind is the natural means God uses to execute the supernatural division, demonstrating that divine power can work through powerful, yet sustained, natural phenomena.
Verse 22
The description of the water forming a 'wall' emphasizes the miraculous nature of the event, ensuring both a safe passage and a secure barrier against the pursuing army.
Verse 24
The 'morning watch' (roughly 2:00 AM–6:00 AM) marks the climax of the confrontation. God intervenes directly from the pillar to sow terror and confusion among the pursuing forces.
Verse 25
Crippling the chariot wheels neutralized the primary military advantage of the Egyptians, forcing them, in their panic, to recognize that Yahweh was actively fighting for Israel.
Verse 27
Moses’ final action with the rod reverses the miracle, symbolizing the finality of God's judgment and the permanent end of Egypt's power over Israel.
Verse 28
The complete annihilation of the Egyptian army ensured that there would be no survivors to pursue Israel again, securing their freedom permanently.
Verse 31
Witnessing this great act of deliverance leads to the desired theological result: the people 'feared the LORD' (reverential awe) and 'believed the LORD,' validating Moses’ leadership.
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The Calling of Disciples
19And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
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