Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download).
1. By what visible means did the Lord lead His people during the Exodus? See Exodus 13:21-22 (printed below)
And Jehovah went before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them along the way and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, so that they might travel by day and by night. (22) The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from the people, they were ever present before them. (Exodus 13:21-22)
The Lord went before the people to lead them by means of a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire throughout the night. Just as the caravans were led through the wilderness by a “pillar of cloud and fire,” issuing from wood fires in iron grates fastened to long poles (Commentaries on the Old Testament, The Pentateuch, Vol.2, Keil and Delitzsch, p.40), so the Lord led His people as their Guide with His own divine pillar of cloud and fire. By means of the pillar of cloud and fire, the Lord provided all that His people needed: shade from the brutal desert heat throughout the day and light to give comfort and protection and ward off the predatory dangers lurking in the night.
2. Did the Lord lead His people directly into the Promised Land of Canaan? Explain why or why not. See Exodus 13:17-18 (printed below)
Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was a shorter route; for God said, When the people face war, they may change their minds and return to Egypt. (18) So God led the people around by the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea. Now the children of Israel went up out of Egypt armed for battle. (Exodus 13:17-18)
The Lord led the children of Israel by a totally unexpected, circuitous, mysterious route. He did not lead them by the road that passes through the country of the Philistines, even though that route was more direct. Why? Because He knew they were not yet ready to meet the armed challenge of the Philistine armies. What we can learn from this is that if you accept the Lord’s leading and look to Him for guidance, He may well deliver you from challenges/trials/temptations for which you are not prepared and which you would find to be too overwhelming.
3. When Pharaoh learns of the route the Israelites have taken what does he think and do? See Exodus 14:1-3,5-6,9 (printed below)
Jehovah said to Moses, (2) Tell the children of Israel to turn back and camp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea—you are to camp by the sea directly across from Baal-Zephon. (3) Then Pharaoh will say concerning the children of Israel, They are wandering in the land in confusion, they are hemmed in by the wilderness… (5) When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials had a change of heart toward the people, and they said, What is this we have done? We have let Israel go and have lost their services!(6) So he had his chariot made ready and took his army with him…(9) So the Egyptians pursued them, with all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, his horsemen and his troops, and they overtook them as they were camped by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, across from Baal-Zephon. (Exodus 14:1-3,5-6,9)
The route God has chosen for His people Israel is viewed by Pharaoh as being foolish: the Israelites are wandering around in confusion, those ignorant, superstitious fools! (The world mistakes the wisdom and the ways of God as foolishness, because it cannot comprehend the scheme and purpose of God’s works.) Pharaoh views this as his opportunity to recapture Israel and destroy their leaders. Seeing that they are hemmed in with the sea at their backs, Pharaoh musters 600 chariots and confidently sets off to dispatch the “helpless” Israelites.
4. What is Israel’s reaction when they see the Egyptian army coming out against them? See Exodus 14:10-12 (printed below)
As Pharaoh approached, the children of Israel looked up and saw the Egyptians marching against them. They were terrified and the children of Israel cried out to Jehovah. (11) Then they said to Moses, Is it because there were no graves in Egypt, is that why you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you treated us like this, bringing us out of Egypt? (12) Did we not say to you back in Egypt, Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness! (Exodus 14:10-12)
Israel’s initial reaction is a sense of terror and panic: in the distance they see a cloud of dust, then the gleam of war spears glittering in the sun, and now the sight of Pharaoh’s chariots arrayed against them (like sharks silently, confidently closing in on the prey), awaiting the order to attack. Then, all in one breath, they raise a cry to the Lord and a blasphemous protest against the deliverer the Lord has appointed: Why have you brought this calamity upon us? It was better for us not to have followed you at all! Israel did not like the fact that they had to face adversity on their way to the Promised Land of Canaan. Note Paul’s counsel in Acts 14:21-22, he and Barnabas “returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch, strengthening the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and teaching that we must enter into the kingdom of God through many tribulations.”
5. Describe the acts and purposes of God throughout the whole course of the Exodus. See especially Exodus 13:17-18 and Exodus 14:1-4,15-18,31 (printed below)
Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was a shorter route; for God said, When the people face war, they may change their minds and return to Egypt. (18) So God led the people around by the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea. Now the children of Israel went up out of Egypt armed for battle. (Exodus 13:17-18)
Jehovah said to Moses, (2) Tell the children of Israel to turn back and camp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea—you are to camp by the sea directly across from Baal-Zephon. (3) Then Pharaoh will say concerning the children of Israel, They are wandering in the land in confusion, they are hemmed in by the wilderness. (4) I will harden Pharaoh’s heart and he will pursue them; but I will gain glory for myself over Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians shall know that I am Jehovah. So the children of Israel did so…(15) Then Jehovah said to Moses, Why are you crying out to me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. (16) Lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide the waters. The children of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry ground. (17) And I, indeed, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will go in after them. I will gain glory over Pharaoh and over all his army, over his chariots and over his horsemen. (18) The Egyptians shall know that I am Jehovah when I have gained glory over Pharaoh, over his chariots, and over his horsemen… (31) When Israel saw the great power Jehovah had employed against the Egyptians, the people feared Jehovah; and they put their trust in Jehovah and in his servant Moses. (Exodus 14:1-4,15-18,31)
The Lord was sovereignly orchestrating and overruling the whole course of the Exodus. He led Israel into the wilderness and to the shores of the Red Sea; He caused Pharaoh to pursue after the children of Israel; and He led His people through the parted waters of the sea to peace and rest. The Lord allowed His people to be confronted by their enemies; but He Himself stood watch over them (Exodus 14:19-20). The Lord led His people through the parted waters of the Red Sea to ultimate peace and safety. In the middle of the night Israel passes through the dry valley enfolded by two great mountains of water, and the Egyptians pursue them (14:22). For the Egyptians, it became a passage into death; but for Israel, it was a safe passage through death. The Lord allowed His people to be pursued by their enemies, so that He might demonstrate His power and glory in the destruction of those enemies and the redemption of His people.
