Exodus 14:15

KJV

¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Moses {H4872}, Wherefore criest {H6817} thou unto me? speak {H1696} unto the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, that they go forward {H5265}:

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI asked Moshe, "Why are you crying to me? Tell the people of Isra'el to go forward!

Berean Standard Bible

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to go forward.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 14:15 captures a pivotal moment at the Red Sea, where the Lord confronts Moses's desperate plea amidst Israel's terror, redirecting both leader and people from panicked lamentation to decisive action. Trapped between Pharaoh's pursuing army and the impassable sea, this verse marks God's command for immediate, faith-filled movement, signaling a critical shift from passive despair to active obedience as the prerequisite for divine intervention and miraculous deliverance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed at the dramatic climax of the Exodus narrative, immediately following the Israelites' panicked outcry and bitter complaints against Moses, as Pharaoh's formidable army closes in behind them ([Exodus 14:9-12 "Pharaoh's Pursuit and Israel's Fear"]). Having just witnessed the awe-inspiring plagues, the newly liberated people quickly succumb to terror when faced with an existential threat, longing for the perceived security of Egyptian bondage over the terrifying uncertainty of freedom. Moses, in turn, cries out to the Lord, seemingly overwhelmed by the crisis. God's sharp question and subsequent command in [Exodus 14:15 "God's Command to Moses"] serve as a direct, powerful response to Moses's distress and the people's despair, setting the stage for the miraculous parting of the Red Sea ([Exodus 14:16 "God Instructs Moses to Part the Sea"]) and the subsequent destruction of the Egyptian forces, culminating in Israel's complete deliverance ([Exodus 14:21-31 "The Parting of the Red Sea and Deliverance"]).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites, having endured centuries of brutal slavery, were a people stripped of agency and initiative, accustomed to external control. Their sudden liberation, while miraculous, left them vulnerable to deeply ingrained fears and a dependency characteristic of a newly freed, unorganized multitude. In the ancient Near East, military power was paramount, and the Egyptian army was widely considered invincible. The idea of confronting such a force, or moving into a seemingly impassable natural barrier like the Red Sea, would have been utterly unthinkable to them. Furthermore, the cultural expectation of divine intervention often involved a deity acting unilaterally to save their people, not necessarily demanding a human step of faith into the unknown. This context profoundly highlights the radical nature of God's command, which challenged their ingrained fear and dependency, calling them to an active, counter-intuitive role in their own deliverance.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 14:15 is central to several profound themes woven throughout the book of Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. It powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty** and **Deliverance**, demonstrating that God is not only capable of saving His people from impossible situations but also orchestrates the means of that salvation. It introduces the critical theme of **Faith and Obedience**, revealing that while God is the ultimate rescuer, He often requires human participation—a step of trust and action—before revealing His mighty hand. The verse also highlights the tension between **Human Despair and Divine Expectation**, contrasting the Israelites' fear and lamentation with God's call to courageous movement. This event, where God makes a way through an impassable barrier, becomes a foundational narrative for the theme of God's power to overcome all obstacles, a truth echoed throughout Israel's history and prophetic literature, such as in Isaiah's promise of [a highway in the wilderness](/isaiah/43-16-19 "Isaiah 43:16-19 - God Makes a Way in the Wilderness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, this is the self-Existent or Eternal God, Jehovah, the Jewish national name of God. The use of this covenant name emphasizes that the command comes from the God who has revealed Himself to Israel, the God who is faithful to His promises, and the God who has the inherent power to bring about what He commands, even in the face of impossibility. It underscores His authority and unchanging nature.
* **criest (Hebrew, _tsâʻaq'_):** From H6817, meaning "to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly); (idiom) at all, call together, cry (out), gather (selves) (together)." While _tsâʻaq_ can denote a sincere appeal for help, in this context, God's rhetorical question suggests Moses's cry was one of overwhelming distress and panic, perhaps even a plea for God to act unilaterally, rather than a confident intercession seeking specific divine direction. It implies a cry born of helplessness and fear, rather than active faith in God's known power and plan.
* **speak (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** From H1696, a primitive root meaning "perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue." This imperative command to Moses signifies a shift from his personal lament to his public role as God's mouthpiece. Moses is to "speak" God's direct and authoritative instruction to the people, arranging their next action. It is a command for clear, decisive communication, not passive waiting.
* **go forward (Hebrew, _nâçaʻ'_):** From H5265, a primitive root meaning "properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey; cause to blow, bring, get, (make to) go (away, forth, forward, onward, out), (take) journey, march, remove, set aside (forward), (idiom) still, be on his (go their) way." This verb implies immediate, decisive, and collective movement. It is a command to break camp and proceed, not to wait, hesitate, or seek further signs. It demands physical progression into what appears to be an impassable barrier, requiring an extraordinary act of faith.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me?"**: This opening clause highlights God's direct engagement with Moses's distress. The question is not a rebuke of prayer itself, but a redirection of Moses's focus and the nature of his prayer. It implies that the time for desperate, panicked lamentation has passed, and the situation now demands a different kind of response—one rooted in active faith and obedience. God's question shifts Moses from a posture of passive pleading to one of active participation in the divine plan, indicating that the next step requires human initiative.
* **"speak unto the children of Israel,"**: This is an imperative command to Moses, re-establishing his leadership and his role as God's appointed messenger. The divine directive is not just for Moses personally, but for him to convey it authoritatively to the entire nation. This emphasizes the collective nature of the command and the necessity of the people's unified response. It underscores that God's plan involves the entire community, and their obedience is crucial.
* **"that they go forward:"**: This is the core, decisive command. It is a direct, imperative instruction for immediate, collective action. The command to "go forward" into an apparent dead end—the Red Sea—is the ultimate test of faith. It signifies that God's deliverance would not come through passive waiting or miraculous intervention without human involvement, but through a courageous step of obedience, even when the path seemed utterly impossible. It powerfully illustrates that God often requires His people to move in faith before He reveals His mighty hand of salvation, transforming an obstacle into a path.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 14:15 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The verse opens with a **rhetorical question**: "Wherefore criest thou unto me?" This is not a genuine inquiry for information, but a pointed statement designed to prompt reflection and redirect action. God knows why Moses is crying out, but by asking, He challenges Moses's current posture of despair and helplessness, implying that such a cry is no longer appropriate for the moment. This question serves as a dramatic pivot, shifting the narrative from human lament to divine command. Following this, the command "go forward" functions as a profound **metaphor** for faith-filled action in the face of overwhelming odds. The physical act of moving into the sea represents a spiritual leap of trust beyond visible obstacles into the realm of divine possibility. The juxtaposition of Moses's "crying out" and God's "speak... go forward" also creates a stark **contrast**, highlighting the difference between human fear and divine expectation, and between passive pleading and active obedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse encapsulates profound theological truths about God's character and His dynamic relationship with humanity. It reveals God as utterly sovereign, not only in His power to deliver but also in His expectation of human participation through faith and obedience. It underscores that while crying out to God in distress is a valid expression of dependence, there are pivotal moments when God calls His people to transcend lamentation and step into active trust. This demonstrates that genuine faith is not merely intellectual assent but an active, responsive trust that translates into concrete action. The central theme of God making a way where there seems to be no way is powerfully established here, emphasizing His omnipotence to overcome seemingly insurmountable barriers and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. This dramatic event at the Red Sea prefigures the ultimate deliverance found in Christ, where God makes a way for humanity's salvation through His Son.

* This principle of faith leading to action is echoed throughout Scripture, reminding us that true faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself [James 2:17](/james/2-17 "Faith Without Works is Dead").
* God often calls His people to step out in faith, even when the path is unclear, trusting His unseen hand to guide them, for "we walk by faith, not by sight" [2 Corinthians 5:7](/2_corinthians/5-7 "Walking by Faith").
* This act of "going forward" into the unknown, despite the apparent impossibility, is a testament to the biblical truth that "without faith it is impossible to please God" [Hebrews 11:6](/hebrews/11-6 "Faith Pleases God").

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 14:15 offers timeless and profound lessons for believers navigating the "Red Sea" moments of their own lives—those overwhelming obstacles or seemingly impossible situations that induce fear and despair. While it is entirely natural and biblically sound to cry out to God in distress, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that there comes a critical juncture where God expects us to transition from passive pleading to active, courageous obedience. Sometimes, God's answer to our desperate prayers is not a miraculous sign delivered while we stand still, but a clear command to "go forward"—to take a decisive step of faith, even when the path ahead appears utterly blocked or fraught with danger. This might involve stepping out of our comfort zones, taking a calculated risk based on divine prompting, or simply trusting God's direction when we cannot see the full picture or understand the outcome. It teaches us that God's power is often most dramatically manifested when we dare to obey His call to move, transforming our paralyzing fear into dynamic, faithful action that opens the way for His miraculous intervention.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Red Sea" situation are you currently facing where God might be calling you to "go forward" rather than simply remain in a state of lamentation or fear?**
* **How can you discern the difference between a time for patiently waiting on God for His timing and a time for actively obeying His clear call to move?**
* **What practical step of faith, however small or counter-intuitive, can you take today in response to God's discerned direction in your life or circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Does God disapprove of crying out to Him in distress?**

Answer: No, God does not disapprove of genuine cries for help. The Psalms are replete with expressions of lament and desperate appeals to God, and even Jesus Himself cried out to His Father in moments of intense suffering ([Psalm 22:1 "Psalm 22:1 - My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?"]; [Matthew 27:46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry on the Cross"]). However, in [Exodus 14:15 "God's Command to Moses"], God's question to Moses is not a rebuke of prayer itself, but a redirection. It implies that the time for passive lamentation has passed, and the situation now calls for active faith and obedience. It's a shift from a cry of helplessness to a command for decisive action, indicating that God had a plan that required human participation and movement.

**Why did God command them to "go forward" into the sea, which seemed impossible?**

Answer: God commanded them to "go forward" into the seemingly impossible situation of the Red Sea for several profound reasons. Primarily, it was to demonstrate His absolute power and sovereignty over all creation, and to require a crucial step of faith from His people. By commanding them to move into the very obstacle that appeared to trap them, God was setting the stage for one of the most iconic and foundational miracles in the Bible—the parting of the Red Sea. This act of obedience, even into the impossible, allowed God to display His mighty hand of deliverance in a way that glorified Him, solidified His covenant relationship with Israel, and instilled in them a lasting understanding of His power to make a way where there is no way ([Exodus 14:21-22 "The Parting of the Red Sea"]).

**Is this verse saying prayer isn't always the answer, or that action is more important than prayer?**

Answer: This verse is not diminishing the importance of prayer; rather, it highlights that prayer should often lead to obedience and action. There are indeed times for fervent intercession, for waiting on God's timing, and for seeking His face. However, there are also times when God's answer to prayer is a direct command to move. It teaches that faith is active, not passive. While prayer is foundational for receiving divine direction and strength, it should not become a substitute for acting on that direction. God often waits for us to take a step of faith before revealing the next part of His plan, demonstrating that true faith involves both trust in His sovereignty and responsive action to His commands ([James 2:26 "James 2:26 - Faith Without Works is Dead"]).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The dramatic narrative of the Exodus, and specifically the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, functions as a profound type and shadow of the greater deliverance accomplished through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as [the LORD](/exodus/14-15 "Exodus 14:15 - God's Command to Moses") led Israel through an impossible barrier to freedom from physical bondage, Jesus leads His people through the ultimate, seemingly impassable barrier of sin, death, and separation from God to new life and spiritual freedom. The divine command to "go forward" into the Red Sea prefigures the New Testament call to "go forward" in faith into the new covenant established by Christ's sacrificial death and glorious resurrection. Indeed, the Apostle Paul explicitly interprets the Red Sea crossing as a type of baptism, symbolizing a new beginning and identification with God's saving work in Christ ([1 Corinthians 10:1-2 "1 Corinthians 10:1-2 - Israel's Baptism in the Cloud and Sea"]). Jesus Christ is the ultimate Deliverer, the one who truly makes a way where there is no way, providing the only path to reconciliation with God. His call to "follow me" ([Matthew 4:19 "Matthew 4:19 - Jesus Calls Disciples"]) inherently involves stepping out in faith, leaving behind old ways of sin and self-reliance, and moving into the unknown, yet divinely promised, future He has prepared. Just as God's command to "go forward" required Israel's obedience for their physical salvation, so too does the gospel call for a step of faith and obedience to Christ for spiritual salvation and new life in Him ([John 3:16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World"]). He is the Good Shepherd who leads His people through the wilderness of this world to the promised land of eternal life, having already overcome the greatest obstacles on their behalf ([John 10:11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd"]).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joshua 7:10

¶ And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?

Ezra 10:4

Arise; for [this] matter [belongeth] unto thee: we also [will be] with thee: be of good courage, and do [it].

Ezra 10:5

Then arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they should do according to this word. And they sware.

Nehemiah 9:9

And didst see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red sea;

Exodus 17:4

And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.