Stand still and see: the crossing of the Red Sea in Exodus 14

Behind them was the most powerful army in the world. In front of them was water. The Israelites had been free for only a few days when they realised they were trapped, and their first reaction was to wish they were slaves again: “Were there no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die?”

A strange route

Exodus 13 says God did not lead the people by the short road through Philistine country, because they might turn back if they faced war. Instead he led them toward the sea. In chapter 14, God tells Moses to camp by the sea, so that Pharaoh would think they were wandering in confusion. The route that looked like a mistake was part of God’s plan.

Fear

When Pharaoh heard the Israelites had gone, he and his officials asked, “What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!” He took six hundred of his best chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt and pursued them. The people saw the Egyptians coming and were terrified. They cried out to the Lord and turned on Moses. Fear made them forget the plagues, the Passover and the miracles they had just seen.

Be still, then move

Moses answered: “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Interestingly, God’s next words were, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.” Stillness and movement go together. Being still meant trusting God rather than panicking. Moving meant obeying when he made a way. Moses raised his staff, and a strong east wind blew all night and divided the waters.

Dry ground

The Israelites crossed on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and left. The Egyptians followed. God threw their army into confusion and their chariot wheels came off. When Moses stretched out his hand again, the water returned and covered the army. Exodus 15 records the song of Moses and Miriam: “I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.” The first great song of praise in the Bible is a song of deliverance.

For today

Most believers will never face a chariot army. Many face situations that feel just as hopeless: illness, debt, betrayal, a closed door. Exodus 14 does not promise that God will remove every problem the way we want. It does show that the God who leads his people sometimes leads them to the water’s edge, and that he is able to make a road where none existed.

What is your Red Sea right now? Ask God for the grace to be still and trust him, and for the courage to move forward when he opens the way.