The Israelites are panic-stricken, but this is a perfect opportunity for God to display his love for his people, as well as his power and glory.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground. And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will charge in after the Israelites. My great glory will be displayed through Pharaoh and his troops, his chariots, and his charioteers. When my glory is displayed through them, all Egypt will see my glory and know that I am the Lord!”
Then the angel of God, who had been leading the people of Israel, moved to the rear of the camp. The pillar of cloud also moved from the front and stood behind them. The cloud settled between the Egyptian and Israelite camps. As darkness fell, the cloud turned to fire, lighting up the night. But the Egyptians and Israelites did not approach each other all night.
Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!
The Lord told Moses to stop praying and get moving! Prayer illustrates our dependence upon God, but action shows that we live by faith. Sometimes we know what to do, but we pray for more guidance to postpone actually doing it. If we know what we should do, then it is time to get moving.
Some scholars believe the Israelites did not cross the main body of the Red Sea. They point to the shallow lakes and marshes to the north that dry up at certain times of the year or perhaps a smaller branch of the Red Sea where the water would have been shallow enough to wade across. But this fails to explain what prevented the Egyptian army from pursuing the people. The Bible, on the other hand, clearly states that the Lord drove the sea back “with a strong east wind” and turned “the seabed into dry land.” Also, the water was deep enough to cover the chariots.
The Israelites had no apparent way of escape, but the Lord opened up a dry path through the sea. Sometimes we find ourselves caught in a problem and see no way out. Don’t panic; God can open up a way. The God who created the earth and water performed a mighty miracle at exactly the right time to demonstrate his great power and love for his people.
Have you been praying for God’s guidance? Perhaps like Moses, it’s time to take some steps in faith. You may not see how you’ll make it through, but when you reach the other side you’ll be able to echo the psalmist: “Your road led through the sea, your pathway through the mighty waters—a pathway no one knew was there!” (Psalm 77:19) Ask God to give you the courage to take steps forward.