Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen." Then the LORD said to MosesThis phrase emphasizes the direct communication between God and Moses, a central theme in the Exodus narrative. The Hebrew word for "LORD" is "YHWH," the sacred name of God, highlighting His covenant relationship with Israel. This divine instruction underscores God's sovereignty and His active role in delivering His people. Historically, this moment is pivotal, as it demonstrates God's power over nature and His commitment to fulfilling His promises to the Israelites. Stretch out your hand over the sea
The act of stretching out the hand is symbolic of divine authority and power. In Hebrew, "stretch out" is "natah," which conveys the idea of extending or reaching out with purpose. Moses' obedience in this act is a demonstration of faith and trust in God's command. The sea, likely the Red Sea or "Yam Suph" in Hebrew, represents a barrier that God miraculously controls, showcasing His dominion over creation. so that the waters may flow back
The phrase "flow back" indicates a reversal of the miraculous parting of the sea. The Hebrew word "shub" means to return or go back, signifying a restoration of the natural order. This action is a divine intervention that serves as both a means of deliverance for the Israelites and a judgment against the Egyptians. It highlights God's ability to manipulate the elements to achieve His purposes. over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen
The Egyptians, representing the oppressive forces against God's people, are the recipients of divine judgment. The mention of "chariots and horsemen" underscores the military might of Egypt, which was formidable in the ancient world. Archaeological evidence supports the prominence of chariots in Egyptian warfare, making their defeat by divine means even more significant. This phrase illustrates the futility of human power against the will of God and serves as a reminder of His ultimate authority and justice. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who demonstrates His power and faithfulness by delivering His people from bondage. 2. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. He acts in obedience to God's command, demonstrating faith and trust. 3. The Sea (Red Sea)The body of water that God miraculously parts to allow the Israelites to escape from the pursuing Egyptian army. 4. The EgyptiansThe oppressors of the Israelites, representing the forces of evil and opposition to God's people. 5. Chariots and HorsemenSymbols of Egyptian military strength and human reliance on power and might, which are ultimately futile against God's will. Teaching Points God's SovereigntyRecognize that God is in control of all creation, including the forces of nature. Trust in His power to deliver and protect His people. Obedience to God's CommandsMoses' obedience in stretching out his hand over the sea is a model for us to follow God's instructions, even when they seem impossible. Faith Over FearThe Israelites faced a seemingly insurmountable obstacle, yet through faith, they witnessed God's miraculous deliverance. We are called to trust God in our own challenges. God's Judgment and DeliveranceThe destruction of the Egyptian army serves as a reminder of God's justice against evil and His commitment to saving His people. Symbol of BaptismThe crossing of the Red Sea can be seen as a symbol of baptism, representing the transition from slavery to freedom, death to life, and old to new. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the parting and closing of the Red Sea demonstrate God's sovereignty and power in your life today? 2. In what ways can Moses' obedience to God's command inspire you to act in faith, even when the outcome is uncertain? 3. How does the account of the Red Sea crossing encourage you to trust God in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges? 4. What parallels can you draw between the deliverance of the Israelites and the concept of spiritual deliverance through Christ? 5. How can the destruction of the Egyptian army serve as a reminder of God's justice and protection in your own spiritual journey? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 1:9-10The creation account where God gathers the waters, showing His sovereign control over nature, similar to His control over the Red Sea. Joshua 3:14-17The crossing of the Jordan River, where God again parts waters for His people, echoing the miracle at the Red Sea. Psalm 77:16-20A poetic reflection on God's mighty deeds, including the parting of the Red Sea, emphasizing His power and guidance. Hebrews 11:29The faith of the Israelites in crossing the Red Sea, highlighting the importance of faith in God's deliverance. People Egyptians, Israelites, Moses, Pharaoh, ZephonPlaces Baal-zephon, Egypt, Etham, Migdol, Pi-hahiroth, Red SeaTopics Chariots, Egyptians, Flow, Horsemen, Return, Stretch, Stretched, Turn, War-carriages, WatersDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 14:10-31 4819 dryness Exodus 14:21-28 5300 drowning Exodus 14:26-28 1416 miracles, nature of Exodus 14:26-29 5102 Moses, life of Library A Path in the Sea
'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: 20. 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. 21. 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, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureEntangled in the Land
"For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in."--Exodus 14:3. ISRAEL WAS CLEAN escaped from Egypt. Not a hoof of their cattle was left behind; nor foot of child or aged man remained in the house of bondage. But though they were gone, they were not forgotten by the tyrant who had enslaved them. They had been a very useful body of workers; for they had built treasure cities and storehouses for Pharaoh. Compelled to work without wages, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891 Epistle Lxiii. To Brunichild, Queen of the Franks.
To Brunichild, Queen of the Franks. Gregory to Brunichild, &c. What good gifts have been conferred on you from above, and with what piety heavenly grace has filled you, this, among all the other proofs of your merits, intimates evidently to all that you both govern the savage hearts of barbarians with the skill of prudent counsel, and (what is still more to your praise), adorn your royal power with wisdom. And since, as you are above many nations in both these respects, so also you excel them in …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great They who have not Been Promoted to that Office. ...
They who have not been promoted [to that office] by the bishop, ought not to adjure, either in churches or in private houses. Notes. Ancient Epitome of Canon XXVI. No one shall adjure without the bishop's promotion to that office. Balsamon. Some were in the habit of "adjuring," that is catechising the unbelievers, who had never received the imposition of the bishop's hands for that purpose; and when they were accused of doing so, contended that as they did not do it in church but only at home, they …
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils The Personality of Power.
A Personally Conducted Journey. Everyone enjoys the pleasure of travel; but nearly all shrink back from its tiresomeness and drudgery. The transportation companies are constantly scheming to overcome this disagreeable side for both pleasure and business travel. One of the popular ways of pleasure travel of late is by means of personally conducted tours. A party is formed, often by the railroad company, and is accompanied by a special agent to attend to all the business matters of the trip. A variation …
S.D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on Power The Faults Committed in this Degree --Distractions, Temptations --The Course to be Pursued Respecting Them.
As soon as we fall into a fault, or have wandered, we must turn again within ourselves; because this fault having turned us from God, we should as soon as possible turn towards Him, and suffer the penitence which He Himself will give. It is of great importance that we should not be anxious about these faults, because the anxiety only springs from a secret pride and a love of our own excellence. We are troubled at feeling what we are. If we become discouraged, we shall grow weaker yet; and reflection …
Jeanne Marie Bouvières—A Short Method Of Prayer And Spiritual Torrents Answer to Mr. W's Sixth Objection.
6. and lastly, Let us consider the intrinsick absurdities, and incredibilities of the several stories of these three miracles, p. 36.--As to Jairus's daughter, and her resurrection from the dead, St. Hilary [13] hints, that there was no such person as Jairus;--and he gives this reason, and a good reason it is, why he thought so, because it is elsewhere intimated in the gospel that none of the rulers of the synagogues confessedly believ'd on Jesus, John vii. 48. and xii. 42. St. John's words in the …
Nathaniel Lardner—A Vindication of Three of Our Blessed Saviour's Miracles The Hardening in the Sacred Scripture.
"He hath hardened their heart."-- John xii. 40. The Scripture teaches positively that the hardening and "darkening of their foolish heart" is a divine, intentional act. This is plainly evident from God's charge to Moses concerning the king of Egypt: "Thou shalt speak all that I command thee; and I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not harken unto you, and I will lay My hand upon Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Blessed are they that Mourn
Blessed are they that mourn. Matthew 5:4 Here are eight steps leading to true blessedness. They may be compared to Jacob's Ladder, the top whereof reached to heaven. We have already gone over one step, and now let us proceed to the second: Blessed are they that mourn'. We must go through the valley of tears to paradise. Mourning were a sad and unpleasant subject to treat on, were it not that it has blessedness going before, and comfort coming after. Mourning is put here for repentance. It implies …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Epistle iv. To Cyriacus, Bishop.
To Cyriacus, Bishop. Gregory to Cyriacus, Bishop of Constantinople. We have received with becoming charity our common sons, George the presbyter and Theodore your deacon; and we rejoice that you have passed from the care of ecclesiastical business to the government of souls, since, according to the voice of the Truth, He that is faithful in a little will be faithful also in much (Luke xvi. 10). And to the servant who administers well it is said, Because thou hast been faithful over a few things, …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great The Sovereignty of God in Reprobation
"Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God" (Rom. 11:22). In the last chapter when treating of the Sovereignty of God the Father in Salvation, we examined seven passages which represent Him as making a choice from among the children of men, and predestinating certain ones to be conformed to the image of His Son. The thoughtful reader will naturally ask, And what of those who were not "ordained to eternal life?" The answer which is usually returned to this question, even by those who profess …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God Of the Necessity of Divine Influences to Produce Regeneration in the Soul.
Titus iii. 5, 6. Titus iii. 5, 6. Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. IF my business were to explain and illustrate this scripture at large, it would yield an ample field for accurate criticism and useful discourse, and more especially would lead us into a variety of practical remarks, on which it would be pleasant …
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Exodus 14:26 NIVExodus 14:26 NLTExodus 14:26 ESVExodus 14:26 NASBExodus 14:26 KJV
Exodus 14:26 Commentaries
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