Exodus 14

1Then the LORD gave these instructions to Moses:

2” Order the Israelites to turn backand camp by Pi-hahiroth between Migdol and the sea. Camp there along the shore,across from Baal-zephon.?Then Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are confused. They are43:18a Hebrew sea of reeds. 13:18b Greek version reads left Egypt in the fifth generation.obstacles. He can see the end of your journey from the begin-ning, and he knows the safest and best route.13:17, 18 When did the Hebrews leave Egypt? There are twotheories. The early theory says the Exodus occurred around4446-1445 B.C. The /ate theory suggests the Exodus happenedbetween 1300 and 1200 B.C. Those who hold to the earlier datepoint to

4Kings 6:1, where the Bible clearly states that Solomonbegan building the Temple 480 years after the Hebrews leftEgypt. Since almost all scholars agree that Solomon began build-ing the Temple in 966, this puts the Exodus in the year 1446.But those who hold to the later date suggest that the 480 yearscannot be taken literally, They point to Exodus 4:11, which saysthat the Hebrews built the store cities of Pithom and Rameses,named after Pharaoh Rameses II, who reigned around 1290 B.C.Regardless of which date is correct, the fact is that God led theHebrews out of Egypt, just as he had promised. This showed hisgreat power and his great love for his people.43:21, 22 God gave the Hebrews a pillar of cloud and a pillarof fire so they would know day and night that God was with themon their journey to the Promised Land. What has God given usso that we can have the same assurance? The Bible—somethingthe Israelites did not have. He also has given us the Holy Spiritto remind us of what the Bible says and to guide us each day(John 14:26). Look to God's Word for reassurance of his pres-ence. As the Hebrews looked to the pillars of cloud and fire, wecan look to God’s Word day and night to know he is with us,helping us on our journey.13:21, 22 The pillars of fire and cloud were examples oftheophany—God appearing in a physical form. In this form,God lighted Israel's path, protected them from their enemies,

trapped in the wilderness!’ 4And once again I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after you.* I have planned this in order to display my glory through Pharaoh and his whole army. After this the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD!” So the Israelites camped there as they were told.

The Egyptians Pursue Israel

55When word reached the king of Egypt that the Israelites had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. 6What have we done, letting all those Israelite slaves get away?” they asked. So Pharaoh harnessed his chariot and called up his troops. 7He took with him 600 of Egypt’s best chariots, along with the rest of the chariots of Egypt, each with itscom- {#8.., mander. 8The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, so he chased after the Acts 13:17 people of Israel, who had left with fists raised in defiance. 9The Egyptians chased after them 14:9 with all the forces in Pharaoh's army—all his horses and chariots, his charioteers, and his 5xod jt 15:9 troops. The Egyptians caught up with the people of Israel as they were camped beside the shore near Pi-hahiroth, across from Baal-zephon. 14:10 10As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw Pana the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the LORD, ‘and they said to Moses, 11Why 44:14 did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren't there enough graves for us in Exod 5:21 A 15:24 Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? 12Didn't we tell you 14.4, — this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to Gen 15:1 the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!” Exod 14:90; 18:8 13But Moses told the people, “Don't be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue es you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. 14The LORD himself will apne d 3:22 fight for you. Just stay calm.”, Escape through the Red Sea 15Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get mov- }415,., ing! ‘Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites 4.16 can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground. 17And I will harden the hearts of the Exod 4°17. 20 I Egyptians, and they will charge in after the Israelites. My great glory will be displayed iat _ ~ through Pharaoh and his troops, his chariots, and his charioteers. 18When my glory is dis- Exod 14:25 played through them, all Egypt will see my glory and know that I am the LORD!” 19Then the angel of God, who had been leading the people of Israel, movedtotherearof p39 43-01-22 the camp. The pillar of cloud also moved from the front and stood behind them. 20The cloud settled between the Egyptian and Israelite camps. As darkness fell, the cloud turned to fire, lighting up the night. But the Egyptians and Israelites did not approach each other all night. 2iThen Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the LORD opened upa path through the M71 i443, 5 water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dryland. jsa63:12-13 22So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of t 4:22 9 water on each side! Neh 9:11 Pss 66:6; 78:13 23Then the Egyptians—all of Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and charioteers—chased them FS$ 96%. into the middle of the sea. 24But just before dawn the LORD looked down on the Egyptian 44.54 army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw their forces into total confusion. *°He Exod 13:21 twisted* their chariot wheels, making their chariots difficult to drive. “Let's get out of here—away from these Israelites!” the Egyptians shouted. “The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt!” 26When all the Israelites had reached the other side, the LORD said to Moses, “Raise your hand over the sea again. Then the waters will rush back and cover the Egyptians and their chariots and charioteers.” 27So as the sun began to rise, Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the water rushed back into its usual place. The Egyptians tried to escape, but the LORD swept them into the sea. 28Then the waters returned and covered all the chariots and charioteers—the entire army of Pharaoh. Of all the Egyptians who had chased the Israelites into the sea, not a single one survived. 29But the people of Israel had walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, as the water stood up like a wall on both sides. 2°That is how the LORD rescued Israel from the hand of the Egyptians that day. And the Israelites saw the bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the seashore. 31When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the LORD had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the LORD and in his servant Moses.