Exodus 14 Commentary

The book of Exodus is the second book of the Torah (“law”). It continues the story of Genesis concerning the migration of the family of Jacob (the Israelites) to Egypt (Genesis 50). It describes the commissioning of Moses and Aaron as God’s representatives on earth to accomplish God’s deliverance of His people from slavery in Egypt and lead them to the Promised Land (the land of Canaan). It also relates the miraculous deliverance from Egypt beginning with the plagues on Egypt and the crossing of the Red Sea. It then describes the journey to Mount Sinai and the establishment of the Mosaic covenant with the Israelites. The last part of the book involves the specifications and building of the tabernacle – the place where the Lord Himself dwelt amongst His people.

In the book of Exodus, the focus shifts to the deliverance of God’s people.

This chapter describes what is one of the best-known events in the Scriptures, the crossing of the Red Sea. Having left Egypt, the Israelites were led by the LORD to a place where they were backed up against the Red Sea. He then caused the Egyptians to pursue them, and they caught up and surrounded the Israelites so that there was seemingly no means of escape. But then the LORD caused the waters to part, letting the Israelites cross to safety on the other side of the sea on dry land. He also agitated the Egyptian army to pursue the Israelites through the waters, only to have them crash down on them and kill them all. Thus, the Israelites believed in the LORD and feared Him and Moses His servant.

Chapter 14 can be outlines as follows:

• The LORD’s Instructions to Moses (14:1 – 4)
• The LORD’s Influence on Pharaoh to Pursue the Israelites (14:5 – 14)
• The LORD’s Victory at the Red Sea (14:15 – 31)

The Bible Project - Exodus Summary Pt. 1

The Bible Project - Exodus Summary Pt. 2