Topical Encyclopedia The miraculous event of the Red Sea being divided is one of the most significant and celebrated miracles in the Old Testament, showcasing God's power and faithfulness to His people, Israel. This event is primarily recorded in the Book of Exodus and is a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Israelites' escape from Egyptian bondage.Biblical Account The account of the Red Sea's division is found in Exodus 14. After the ten plagues, Pharaoh finally allowed the Israelites to leave Egypt. However, he soon regretted this decision and pursued them with his army. The Israelites found themselves trapped between Pharaoh's forces and the Red Sea. In this moment of desperation, God instructed Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea. Exodus 14:21-22 states, "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left." As the Egyptian army pursued them, God caused confusion among the Egyptians and instructed Moses once more to stretch out his hand over the sea. The waters returned to their place, engulfing the Egyptian chariots and horsemen. Exodus 14:28 records, "The waters flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived." Theological Significance The division of the Red Sea is a profound demonstration of God's sovereignty and His ability to deliver His people against seemingly insurmountable odds. It is a testament to His covenantal faithfulness, as He fulfilled His promise to bring the Israelites out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. This event is often seen as a typology of salvation, where God delivers His people from bondage and leads them to freedom. Symbolism and Typology In Christian theology, the crossing of the Red Sea is often viewed as a symbol of baptism. Just as the Israelites passed through the waters to leave behind their life of slavery and begin a new journey with God, so too do Christians pass through the waters of baptism to signify the end of their old life and the beginning of a new life in Christ. The Apostle Paul alludes to this typology in 1 Corinthians 10:1-2 , "For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea." Historical and Archaeological Considerations The exact location of the Red Sea crossing has been a topic of debate among scholars and archaeologists. Various theories suggest different sites along the Gulf of Suez or the Gulf of Aqaba. Despite the lack of definitive archaeological evidence pinpointing the exact location, the event's historicity is upheld within the biblical narrative and is a cornerstone of Jewish and Christian faith traditions. Impact on Israelite Identity The crossing of the Red Sea was a formative event for the Israelite identity. It marked the transition from slavery to nationhood and established a foundation for their relationship with God. The event is commemorated in Jewish tradition during the Passover, celebrating God's deliverance and the birth of Israel as a free people. References in Scripture The Red Sea crossing is referenced multiple times throughout Scripture, underscoring its importance in Israel's history and theology. Psalms, Isaiah, and Nehemiah, among others, recount the event as a reminder of God's mighty acts and His enduring faithfulness to His covenant people. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 14:21,22And 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, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. Nave's Topical Index Library The Occurrences at Alexandria. Simon's Explanation of the First Two Books of Moses. Of Israel's Bondage in Egypt, their Deliverance, and their Passage ... A Path in the Sea 'The Waters Saw Thee; they were Afraid' Moses Striking the Rock. Sin: Its Spring-Head, Stream, and Sea Upon the Gathering Together of the Waters. Epistle xiii. --To Hierax, a Bishop in Egypt. Where is the Lord? Resources Did Jesus change the water into wine or grape juice? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the meaning of Jesus walking on water? | GotQuestions.org Do the news reports of rivers turning blood red have anything to do with the end times? | GotQuestions.org Water: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Water in Times of Scarcity, Sold at an Enormous Price Water of Bitterness or of Jealousy Water of Separation or of Uncleanness Water of the Gifts and Graces of the Holy Spirit Water was Used by Jews for Culinary Purposes Water was Used by Jews for Legal Purification Water was Used by Jews for Washing the Person Water was Used by Jews: As Their Principal Beverage Water: (Covering the Sea) of the General Diffusion of The Water: (Deep) of Counsel in the Heart Water: (Deep) of Severe Affliction Water: (Deep) of the Words of the Wise Water: (Difficulty of Stopping) of Strife and Contention Water: (Its Instability) of a Wavering Disposition Water: (Its Weakness) of Faintness and Cowardice Water: (Many) of a Variety of Afflictions Water: (Many) of Different Nations and People Water: (Noise of Many) of the Word of Christ Water: (Poured Out) Faintness by Terror Water: (Poured Out) the Wrath of God Water: (Pouring, out of Buckets) a Numerous Progeny Water: (Rapidly Flowing Away) the Career of the Wicked Water: (Spilled on the Ground) Death Water: (Still) the Ordinances of the Gospel Water: Artificial Mode of Conveying, Into Large Cities Water: Collected in The Clouds Water: Covered the Whole Earth Water: Drops from the Clouds in Rain Water: Frequently Brackish and Unfit for Use Water: God Originally: Collected Into One Place Water: God Originally: Created Fowls and Fishes From Water: God Originally: Created the Firmament to Divide Water: Kept for Purification in Large Waterpots Water: Miracles Connected With: Brought from the Jaw-Bone of an Ass Water: Miracles Connected With: Brought from the Rock Water: Miracles Connected With: Consumed by Fire from Heaven Water: Miracles Connected With: Divided and Made to Stand on Heap Water: Miracles Connected With: Healing Powers Communicated To Water: Miracles Connected With: Iron Made to Swim In Water: Miracles Connected With: Our Lord Walking On Water: Miracles Connected With: Trenches Filled With Water: Miracles Connected With: Turned Into Blood Water: Miracles Connected With: Turned Into Wine Water: Miraculously Supplied: To Jehoshaphat's Army Water: Miraculously Supplied: To Samson Water: Miraculously Supplied: To the Israelites Water: Necessary to the Comfort and Happiness of Man Water: Necessary to Vegetation Water: One of the Elements of the World Water: Rises in Vapour to the Clouds Water: some Plants Particularly Require Water: The Want of, Considered a Great Calamity Water: The World and Its Inhabitants Once Destroyed By Water: The World not to be Again Destroyed By Water: Wearing the Hardest Substances Related Terms Water-springs (12 Occurrences) |
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