Red Sea Crossing

Overview

• Testament: Old
• Book: Exodus 14
• Summary: Israel crosses the Red Sea on dry ground. Egyptian army pursues and is destroyed when the waters return.

Details

Pharaoh changed his mind and pursued Israel with 600 chariots. The Israelites were trapped between the Egyptian army and the sea. God told Moses to stretch out his staff, and He divided the sea with a strong east wind, creating a wall of water on both sides. Israel walked through on dry ground.

When the Egyptians pursued into the sea, God caused Pharaoh’s chariots to stumble. At Moses’ command, the waters returned, drowning the entire Egyptian army. Israel saw “this great work which the LORD hath this day done upon the Egyptians.”

Miriam led the women in song and dance — the first recorded worship song after a deliverance.

Key People Involved

• Moses — Stretched out his staff
• Miriam — Led worship with timbrel
• Pharaoh — Lost army, changed his mind

Important Verses

• “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, and made the dry land, and the waters were divided.” — Exodus 14:21
• “And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.” — Exodus 14:29
• “Sing unto the LORD, for he is highly honoured: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.” — Exodus 15:1

Cross-References

• 1 Corinthians 10:1-2 — “Passed through the sea”
• Hebrews 11:29 — “Passed through the Red sea as by dry land”
• Deuteronomy 11:4 — Moses recalls the crossing
• Matthew 12:22, Mark 7:34, Luke 5:15 — “Red Sea” vs “Sea of Reeds”