The Parting of the Red Sea

Exodus 14-15
I. Context
Who are the main characters in this passage? What do we know about them?

Moses:

When does this passage take place?

The passage takes place after the Israelites have left Egypt and, as we've studied in past weeks,
occurs during March/April by our calendar.

Where does this passage take place?

The Israelites are leaving Etham and heading south toward Pi Hahiroth, near Migdol on the western
side of the Red Sea, which they later cross over.

What is going on? (Summary of Events)

After the Israelites camped at Etham (13:20), the Lord led them south near Pi Hahiroth, between
Migdol and the Red Sea. When Pharaoh heard that the people had fled and realized that they had
lost their workforce, he summoned his army and they pursued the Israelites using all the chariots in
Egypt. The Egyptians caught up with the Israelites near Pi Hahiroth and the Israelites were
overcome with fear and dread, but Moses assured them that Lord would deliver them from the
Egyptians.(14:1-14)
The Lord told Moses to stretch out his staff over the sea and when he did, the Lord parted the
waters so that the Israelites could cross on dry land. The angel of God, who had been traveling in
front of them withdrew and went behind them, between them and the Egyptians, along with the
pillar of cloud. The cloud separated both armies all night long as the Israelites crossed over the dry
land where the sea had been. (14:15-22)
When the Egyptians finally pursued the Israelites into the sea, the Lord caused them to become
confused and to have problems with their chariots. At daybreak, when the Israelites were safely
across, the Lord told Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea once again and the sea returned to
its place, killing the entire army of Egypt; none of the Egyptians who had pursued them survived.
(14:23-30)
After all this had taken place and the Israelites saw the power of the Lord, they feared Him and
put their trust in the Lord and in Moses. Moses and the Israelites sang a song to the Lord to
commemorate what the Lord had done for them that day. Also, Aaron's sister, Miriam the
prophetess, sang a song to the women about the Lord's victory (14:31-15:21)
II. Interpretation
What principles are illustrated in this passage? What would you consider the theme of this passage?

How is God involved in this passage? What do we learn of his character? How does this passage point us
toward or connect with Christ?

In Moses' and the Israelites' song of praise (Ch. 15), what is said about their relationship with God? What
is said about his character? How does it focus on the past, present, and future?

III. Application
Moses trusted God to do what He set out to do, even when the rest of the Israelites did not. When our
lives are in turmoil, do we trust God despite our circumstances? Or do we allow the challenges and
struggles we face daily to take our focus off of the Lord?
When God delivered the Israelites from Egypt's army, their response was praise. Do we take time in our
busy lives to praise God? (Other than on Sundays)

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