- Book: [[Exodus]] - Previous chapter: [[Exodus 13]] - Next chapter: [[Exodus 15]] > [!summary] Summary > - [[Yahweh]] deliberately sets up [[Israel]] to appear trapped at the sea, hardening [[Pharaoh]]'s heart to pursue them > - [[Israel]] panics; [[Moses]] commands: "Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord" > - The sea splits, [[Israel]] crosses on dry ground, [[Egypt]]'s army is drowned — [[Israel]] fears [[Yahweh]] and believes > [!info] Why is this here? > - The climactic rescue at the sea is the defining act of the Exodus, the event [[Israel]] will look back to throughout the whole Old Testament > - The contrast between [[Moses]]' "stand still" and God's "move forward" shows that salvation is wholly God's act — [[Israel]] contributes nothing > - "[[Israel]] feared the Lord and put their trust in him" — the rescue produces faith, which is the goal # Overview ## v. 1-9: God's trap and [[Pharaoh]]'s pursuit - God tells [[Moses]] to turn back and camp in a seemingly hemmed-in position - Purpose: [[Pharaoh]] will think [[Israel]] is confused; God will gain glory through [[Pharaoh]] - [[Pharaoh]] regrets releasing [[Israel]], mobilizes 600 choice chariots plus the whole army - The [[Egyptians]] overtake [[Israel]] camped by the sea ## v. 10-14: [[Israel]]'s fear and [[Moses]]' response - [[Israel]] sees [[Egypt]] approaching and is terrified; they cry out against [[Moses]] - "Was it because there were no graves in [[Egypt]] that you brought us here to die?" - [[Moses]]: "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today" - "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still" > [!note] Still and moving > Immediately after "be still," God tells [[Moses]] to tell [[Israel]] to move forward. The stillness is not passivity but trust — [[Israel]] is to march, but the battle is [[Yahweh]]'s. ## v. 15-20: God moves to protect - God tells [[Moses]] to raise his staff; cloud moves from front to rear, putting darkness between the armies - Through the night the [[Egyptians]] and [[Israelites]] are separated by the cloud ## v. 21-29: The crossing - [[Moses]] stretches his hand; all night a strong east wind drives back the sea — dry ground - [[Israel]] crosses with walls of water on both sides - The [[Egyptian]] army follows; God throws them into confusion, jamming their chariot wheels - "The Lord is fighting for them against [[Egypt]]" — even [[Egypt]] recognizes it - [[Moses]] stretches his hand again at dawn; the sea returns, covering the entire army ## v. 30-31: The outcome - The Lord saves [[Israel]]; [[Israelites]] see the [[Egyptians]] dead on the shore - "The people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in [[Moses]] his servant"