Session 5
Exodus 14:19-31
Memory Verse: Exodus 14:13
The Greek word exodos appears about fifty times in the Greek Old Testament and three times in the New Testament. While it could refer to an exit or the end of something, such as a play or life itself, the Israelites saw it as the season when God demonstrated His unmatched power (Deut. 7:19).
But it was more than that. The exodus represents a foundational moment in the Bible and points toward the message of the gospel. It is essential to God’s salvific work. Without the language of the exodus narrative, the rest of the Bible, especially the New Testament, would be very different.
For us, the spotlight of the exodus falls on Jesus, the final Passover Lamb. Through Him, we enjoy freedom from the bondage of sin and death. As you dig into this session, thank God for the freedom He has provided. And ask Him how you can encourage the adults in your Bible study to live out their freedom each day—or, for some, to experience that freedom for the first time.
Alfred Hitchcock was a master of suspense and was known for his groundbreaking special effects. One of his better-known effects was in the movie Foreign Correspondent. He sent a camera ever closer to the surface of the ocean, then he rear-projected that ocean scene onto a screen in a room set up like a cockpit. The effect gave the illusion the plane had crashed into the ocean. (PSG, p. 46)
After the night of wailing, when the Lord struck the firstborn sons of Egypt, Pharaoh ordered the Israelites to leave the land immediately (Ex. 12:29-32). So, in the wee hours, the Lord led Israel and a “mixed crowd” to take all they had (including their “plunder”) to Succoth (12:33-42). There, the Lord gave further instructions through Moses regarding the Passover celebration and the consecration of all Israel’s firstborn (12:43–13:16). This was all to help Israel remember when “the Lord brought us out of Egypt by the strength of his hand” (13:16).
Then the Lord led Israel from Succoth to Baal-zephon by the Red Sea, guiding them by his pillar of cloud and pillar of fire, which never left them (13:17–14:2). By the sea, God warned Moses that he would cause Pharaoh to harden his heart and pursue Israel, so that the Lord’s glory would be revealed and the Egyptians would know that He alone is God (14:3-4). That, of course, is exactly what happened.
After freeing Israel, Pharaoh had a change of heart. In an attempt to recapture the Hebrews, he led more than 600 chariots (symbols of Egyptian power) after Israel. He believed he had trapped them at Baal-zephon (14:5-9), but he was the one God had lured into a trap.
When Israel saw the Egyptians coming, they cried out in terror to the Lord and complained to Moses. Although their current situation had resulted from their initial groaning under the weight of oppression and their pleas to God for help (2:23), like spoiled children they now reconstructed the facts and made their situation Moses’s fault. In their minds, it would have been better to stay in Egyptian slavery than to face the dangers of the wilderness (14:11-12).
Rather than arguing the point, Moses turned to God for help and challenged the people not to fear. In His grace, God inserted Himself between His people and their enemies. With God in the way, Pharaoh’s army had no chance to advance against Israel (14:13-14). Then, the God who specializes in giving orders that make no sense to us, told Israel to prepare to move out. With the Egyptians behind them and Red Sea in front of them, the question became, Where?
God’s second and even more baffling order was for Moses to create a dry pathway through the sea by lifting his staff over the waters. God raised walls of water and provided Israel an escape. When God crashed those walls down on the Egyptians, He glorified Himself and dealt with Israel’s greatest enemy once and for all (14:15-18).
As you read Exodus 14:19-31, look for the phrases “The Lord ____” with a verb in the blank, or “He ______” referring to God. Underscore the verbs in these phrases. What do these phrases reveal about God as the Rescuer and Redeemer of His people? How does this apply to you today? (PSG, p. 47)
EXPLORE THE TEXT
(v. 19) The angel of God: Moses first encountered “the angel of the Lord” at Horeb in the burning bush (Ex. 3:2). Later, the angel of the Lord was associated with “the destroyer” who killed Egypt’s firstborn sons (12:23; Heb. 11:28). Likewise, the angel of God can be equated to a manifestation of God’s presence and power. Moses’s identifying the angel with the pillar of cloud also affirms that the “angel” was God.19 Then the angel of God, who was going in front of the Israelite forces, moved and went behind them. The pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and stood behind them. 20 It came between the Egyptian and Israelite forces. There was cloud and darkness, it lit up the night, and neither group came near the other all night long. 21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back with a powerful east wind all that night and turned the sea into dry land. So the waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with the waters like a wall to them on their right and their left.
(v. 19) Went behind them: To this point, God had been leading His people from the front. However, once the waters of the Red Sea were parted, the Lord went behind the Israelites to create a barrier between them and the Egyptians. While God was there to guide Israel, He also showed His power to protect them. His leadership and His protection go hand in hand. This would have been a comfort to the Hebrews in the wilderness and should continue to comfort His people today.
(v. 19) The pillar of cloud: As noted, both God’s “angel” and the pillar of cloud were said to move behind the Israelites. The pillar manifested the divine presence. In the day it appeared as a huge cloud, but all night it became a vast storm cloud producing terrifying lightning and thunder. In Exodus 16:10 the Lord responded to the Israelites’ complaints by gloriously appearing in a cloud, as he appeared at Sinai in a dense cloud with thunder and lightning.
Later, He covered the tent of meeting with a cloud of His glory filling the tabernacle (40:34-35). This cloud that hovered over the tabernacle to protect and guide Israel on their journey to Canaan had “a fire inside [it] by night” (40:38).
(v. 20) Neither group came near the other: The Hebrew wording is somewhat vague as to how the cloud separated the two groups. It could have lit up the night for both sides, given light to one and darkness to the other, or created a dark wall that kept them apart. The key is that the Egyptians were stopped in their tracks. They could not get to the Israelites because of God’s work on behalf of His people.
(v. 21) Powerful east wind: Whereas the west wind was considered gentle and helpful, the hot east wind, called the sirocco (sheh-rah-ko), was almost always destructive. For example, God used a similar wind to send the plague of locusts swooping down on the Egyptians (10:13). In Hosea 13:15, it is called the “wind from the Lord” originating in the desert. Such winds can reach straight-line gusts of more than 100 miles an hour.
This one blew all that night until there was dry land. Another instrument was also involved: Moses’s staff (14:16). But the Lord was the true source of the wind and the pathway through the sea.
(v. 22) Waters like a wall: The Hebrew wording used here (homah) indicates a large wall, like what would surround a city. Likewise, the Hebrew word for sea (yam) only applies to deep water. Israel did not cross a shallow marsh, as some skeptics contend. They were crossing between two massive ramparts of water on each side.
EXPLORE THE TEXT
23 The Egyptians set out in pursuit ?— ?all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen ?— ?and went into the sea after them. 24 During the morning watch, the Lord looked down at the Egyptian forces from the pillar of fire and cloud, and threw the Egyptian forces into confusion. 25 He caused their chariot wheels to swerve and made them drive with difficulty. “Let’s get away from Israel,” the Egyptians said, “because the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt!” 26 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the water may come back on the Egyptians, on their chariots and horsemen.” 27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea returned to its normal depth. While the Egyptians were trying to escape from it, the Lord threw them into the sea. 28 The water came back and covered the chariots and horsemen, plus the entire army of Pharaoh that had gone after them into the sea. Not even one of them survived.
(v. 23) Set out in pursuit: The Egyptians had seen things that should have convinced them to turn back. A cloud of light had held them at bay. The waters of the sea had stood up like walls. Israel was crossing on dry ground. Yet, Pharaoh’s army still set out in pursuit of the Hebrews into the sea. Their arrogance would lead to God’s great glory and His final victory over Egypt.
(v. 24) The morning watch: In ancient Jewish thought, the night was divided into three “watches.” The last, or morning watch, would stretch from about 2:00 a.m. until 6:00 a.m. This is when the Israelites crossed the sea and the pillar protected them. When they were done, God moved from guarding Israel’s rear, but He wasn’t done watching over His people.
(v. 24) The Lord looked down: The Hebrew wording suggests observing something from a great height. It does not require God to possess physical human characteristics. Instead, it plays upon His position in the massive cloud that was blocking the Egyptians.
(v. 24) Confusion: When God moved and the Egyptians renewed their pursuit of Israel, they foolishly assumed the pathway through the sea would remain open (Ex. 14:17). However, the Lord used two delaying tactics to cover Israel’s retreat. One was to throw them into confusion, as He would do with other enemies of Israel (Ex. 23:27; Josh. 10:10; Judg. 4:15; 1 Sam. 7:10; 2 Sam. 22:15).
(v. 25) Chariot wheels: The Lord’s other tactic was to jam their chariot wheels (perhaps with seaweed or in the soft sand). Scholars suggest He caused the wheels to swerve or even fall off. The effect was to show the Egyptians that “I am the Lord” (Ex. 14:18) and that He was fighting for Israel—as Moses had told Israel that He would (see Ex. 14:14; Deut. 1:30). Many Egyptian soldiers began running to get away from Israel.
Stretch out your hand
For the eighth and last time, God gave this command to Moses (including twice when Aaron actually performed the action). In every case except one (Ex. 4:4), that hand held Moses’s staff. The power, though, belonged to God alone. He had built those towering walls of water to protect Israel, but now He released them to drown the Egyptian army. Apparently, God stilled the east wind at daybreak so that Israel had light to see the collapsing walls swallow their enemy (v. 27).
(v. 28) Not even one of them survived: Moses emphasized the totality of the destruction. First, he highlighted chariots and horsemen for the sixth time in the chapter (see 14:9,17,18,23,26), along with the entire army of Pharaoh. Next, verse 28 concludes by noting that no Egyptian survived. The absurdity of the Egyptians following Israel is suggested by the repetition of their going into the sea here and in Israel’s song praise to God for His works (15:19).
EXPLORE THE TEXT
29 But the Israelites had walked through the sea on dry ground, with the waters like a wall to them on their right and their left. 30 That day the Lord saved Israel from the power of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 When Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and believed in him and in his servant Moses.
(v. 29) Waters like a wall: This phrase is repeated from verse 22 to show how the walls of water that God had built to protect Israel were the same ones He used to destroy the Egyptians. The sea was clearly a deep body of water. Passing between those walls must have been terrifying for both Israel and the Egyptians.
No one but the Lord can build a wall out of nothing but water. Similarly, the day of the Lord will be a time of judgment on those who have rejected Christ, but it will bring vindication and blessing on those who have welcomed him into their lives and become God’s children.
Saved
The Hebrew word used here means to help, rescue, defend, or deliver. While it is sometimes used to describe the actions of people in the Old Testament (like the role of the judges in Israel’s history), it often refers to God’s actions on behalf of His people against their enemies. It also is used within the Old Testament context of salvation.
(v. 30) Power of the Egyptians: The Hebrew word for power here can also been translated “hand” (yad). It can be used in positive context to mean rescue, guide, provide, or help. However, in regard to Egypt, it was used negatively, referring to capturing, enslaving, oppressing, or controlling.
For centuries, Egypt was a dominant power in the ancient world. But the Lord’s plan was to judge Egypt for their idolatry and to demonstrate His superior power over Egypt and their false gods (Ex. 3:8; 18:9-10).
Later, when Egypt had regained some its influence and Israel’s memory of the Egyptians dead on the seashore had vanished, God’s people would foolishly turn to Egypt for help against Assyria. This was a path prophets, like Isaiah, warned the Israelites against taking (Isa. 31:3).
(v. 31) Great power . . . against the Egyptians: Again the word for power is “hand” (yad). Even though Egypt was intimidating from a human perspective, all of Pharaoh’s soldiers and chariots were nothing compared to the might of the Lord’s hand (see also Deut. 3:22; 20:4; Josh. 23:3,10; Neh. 4:20). Isaiah later said that nations are a “drop in a bucket” and “considered as a speck of dust on the scales” compared to God (Isa. 40:15). He proved that by releasing His judgment and wrath against the Egyptians.
(v. 31) The people feared the Lord: “Fear” and “being afraid” are usually expressed by the same Hebrew word (yare’), but they don’t always mean the same thing. The Bible speaks of fear in both negative and positive terms. God’s people are sometimes told not to fear (in the sense of being “afraid”), yet at other times are commended because they feared the Lord (using the same Hebrew word). Here, Moses referred to the positive fear of God. This is a deep sense of awe before Him and the equivalent of faith in Him. Positive fear of God, sometimes called godly fear, blends into faith, gratitude, love, obedience, and worship.
(v. 31) His servant Moses: While God was the focal point of the Israelites’ faith, Moses also gained a new measure of respect and honor. The people who had doubted him in Egypt and complained to him at the Red Sea, now held Moses in high regard.
Review these points from Apply the Text on page 54 of the Personal Study Guide:
Identify which of the summary statements calls to mind a personal event in your life and could be used in your testimony. Restate it from your point of view. Encourage volunteers to share this part of their testimony with the group.
Encourage members to share their responses to the last two questions on page 54 of the PSG. Challenge them to spend time in the coming days talking with God about His desire for their lives and asking Him for the courage to take the first step on their own “Red Sea road.”
Share that Exodus 14:13 is the memory verse for this session. Lead adults in reading this verse aloud a few times as a group. Allow them to pray silently about some challenges they are facing as they enter the new year. After a few minutes, close in prayer, asking God to reveal Himself to each adult by answering their prayers.
Reinforce the session this week by sending each adult a text or email that wishes them a happy new year. Remind them of the way God led Israel through the Red Sea and encourage them to trust Him to lead them through any difficult situation they are facing. Challenge them to commit to growing in their faith and drawing closer to God over the next twelve months.
God
God is all powerful and all knowing. (See Jeremiah 32:27; Matthew 19:26.)
Observe when and for what purpose a New Testament passage includes an Old Testament reference.
Exodus 15 is the first song in the Bible, and Revelation 15:3-4 is the last. Compare the two songs. What is the common theme?