So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea returned to its normal state. As the Egyptians were retreating, the LORD swept them into the sea. So Moses stretched out his hand over the seaThis phrase highlights the obedience and faith of Moses, acting as God's chosen leader. The act of stretching out his hand signifies a command given by God, demonstrating Moses' role as an intermediary between God and His people. The Hebrew root for "stretched out" (נָטָה, natah) implies an extension or reaching out, symbolizing Moses' active participation in God's miraculous deliverance. This act is reminiscent of earlier instances where Moses' obedience led to divine intervention, reinforcing the theme of faith leading to salvation. and at daybreak the sea returned to its normal state
The timing of "daybreak" is significant, symbolizing new beginnings and the light of God's deliverance after a night of fear and uncertainty. The Hebrew word for "daybreak" (בֹּקֶר, boqer) often signifies a time of revelation and divine action. The sea returning to its "normal state" underscores the power of God over creation, as He restores order after the miraculous parting. This return to normalcy also serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the natural order He established, which He can alter according to His divine will. As the Egyptians were fleeing toward it
This phrase captures the desperation and panic of the Egyptians, who, in their pursuit of the Israelites, find themselves caught in a divine trap. The historical context reveals the might of the Egyptian army, yet their power is rendered futile against God's intervention. The irony of their flight "toward it" highlights their misunderstanding of the situation and the futility of opposing God's plan. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the ultimate futility of resisting God's will. the LORD swept them into the sea
The phrase "the LORD swept them" emphasizes God's direct involvement in the deliverance of His people and the judgment of their enemies. The Hebrew root for "swept" (נָעַר, naar) conveys a sense of shaking or casting away, illustrating the decisive and powerful nature of God's action. This act of divine judgment serves as a fulfillment of God's promise to protect His people and defeat their oppressors. It also foreshadows the ultimate victory of God over evil, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture, offering hope and assurance to believers of God's justice and faithfulness. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egyptian bondage. In this verse, Moses acts in obedience to God's command, demonstrating his role as a mediator between God and the Israelites. 2. The Sea (Red Sea)The body of water that God miraculously parted to allow the Israelites to escape from the pursuing Egyptian army. It symbolizes God's power and deliverance. 3. The EgyptiansThe army of Pharaoh, representing the oppressive forces against God's people. Their pursuit of the Israelites and subsequent destruction in the sea highlight God's judgment against those who oppose His will. 4. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who demonstrates His sovereignty and power by delivering His people and defeating their enemies. 5. DaybreakThe time when the sea returned to its normal state, symbolizing a new beginning for the Israelites and the end of their oppression. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and PowerGod is in control of all creation, and His power is unmatched. The parting and returning of the sea demonstrate His authority over nature and history. Obedience to God's CommandsMoses' obedience in stretching out his hand over the sea is a reminder of the importance of following God's instructions, even when the outcome is not immediately visible. Judgment and DeliveranceThe destruction of the Egyptian army serves as a warning of God's judgment against those who oppose Him, while the deliverance of the Israelites illustrates His faithfulness to His promises. Faith in God's PromisesThe Israelites' passage through the sea is a testament to the necessity of faith in God's deliverance, encouraging believers to trust in God's promises even in seemingly impossible situations. New BeginningsThe return of the sea at daybreak signifies a new chapter for the Israelites, reminding us that God can bring new beginnings out of challenging circumstances. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the parting and returning 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 follow God's instructions in your own life? 3. How does the destruction of the Egyptian army serve as a warning about the consequences of opposing God's will? 4. What are some areas in your life where you need to exercise faith in God's promises, similar to the Israelites crossing the Red Sea? 5. How can the concept of "daybreak" as a new beginning encourage you in your current circumstances or challenges? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 1:9-10The separation of waters in creation parallels the parting of the Red Sea, both acts demonstrating God's control over nature. Joshua 3:14-17The crossing of the Jordan River by the Israelites under Joshua's leadership echoes the Red Sea crossing, reinforcing God's continued guidance and provision. Psalm 136:13-15This psalm recounts God's deliverance of Israel through the Red Sea, emphasizing His enduring love and faithfulness. Hebrews 11:29The faith of the Israelites in crossing the Red Sea is highlighted, showing the importance of faith in God's promises. People Egyptians, Israelites, Moses, Pharaoh, ZephonPlaces Baal-zephon, Egypt, Etham, Migdol, Pi-hahiroth, Red SeaTopics Appeared, Dawn, Daybreak, Destruction, Egyptians, Fled, Fleeing, Flight, Flow, Flowing, Forth, Meeting, Middle, Midst, Morning, Normal, Overthrew, Overturned, Perennial, Returned, Routed, Shaketh, State, Strength, Stretched, Stretcheth, Swept, Towards, Turneth, Turning, WontedDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 14:27 5156 hand
5319 fugitives 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 Exodus 14:27-28 1305 God, activity of
1320 God, as Saviour 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 14:27 NIVExodus 14:27 NLTExodus 14:27 ESVExodus 14:27 NASBExodus 14:27 KJV
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