What does Exodus chapter 14 mean?

The Lord used powerful plagues to break Egypt's hold (Exodus 1:11–14) on Israel (Exodus 7:21; 8:6, 17, 24; 9:6, 10, 24; 10:14, 23; 12:29–32). After Israel was released from slavery (Exodus 12:33, 40–41), God led the people (Exodus 13:21–22) along a specific path (Exodus 13:17–18). Their location will become important in this chapter. What happens next is a spectacular miracle in the book of Exodus: the crossing of the "Red Sea."

God gives Moses specific directions about where Israel should make their next camp. Archaeologists are not sure exactly where these locations are. Previously, Scripture said God was leading Israel towards a place called yam suph, which literally means "the sea of reeds." This is different from the modern-day Red Sea. Most likely, it is somewhere near the northern end of that body of water, which today is known as the Gulf of Suez (Exodus 14:1–2).

These strange wanderings will help convince Egypt's king that Israel is lost. This pharaoh repeatedly defied and disobeyed God. Eventually, he crossed a point of no return (Proverbs 29:1). Since then, God has been using Pharaoh as an illustration of divine wrath (Exodus 10:1–2). That continues as the Lord promises to once again "harden" the Egyptian king. The result will be a clear signal of God's supremacy and power (Exodus 14:3–4).

Almost immediately after Israel is freed, the Egyptians seem to forget why they released them in the first place (Exodus 12:33). Pharaoh decides to pursue the Hebrews. This is an effort to recapture them as slaves. Some believe Pharaoh's intent was to eradicate the Israelites or decimate the population before enslaving the survivors. He personally leads an army of chariots and horsemen. The army finds Israel on the seashore (Exodus 14:5–9).

In normal circumstances, Israel would be in a dire situation. They are "trapped" between a sea and an oncoming army. They are a nation of recently freed slaves. There has been no opportunity to organize their own soldiers or to make weapons and armor. Some of the people begin to bitterly, sarcastically criticize Moses. They suggest that it would have been better to live as slaves than to die in the wilderness. Moses replies by telling them not to panic—the Lord will ensure that Israel is never oppressed by Egypt again (Exodus 14:10–14).

Moses seems to have brought the people's complaints to God. God replies by ordering His people to advance. Moses is to gesture over the waters. God will split them and make a dry path for the people to follow. At the same time, the Lord will bring the Egyptian army in pursuit. This will end in God's glory and create a clear sign of His divine power. God protects Israel's rear using the column of flaming clouds which has guided them so far. This prevents the Egyptians from reaching their targets. In some way, the column obscures what the Egyptians can see, while on the other side it gives Israel enough light to make their journey overnight (Exodus 14:15–20).

As instructed, Moses gestures with his hand and staff. God brings an eastern wind, but the effects are clearly not natural. The sea is split to reveal a dry path between walls of water. The entire nation can escape using this route, crossing to the other side overnight. At some point near dawn, the Egyptians see enough space to attempt a pursuit. They follow into the sea, but their chariots break down and the soldiers panic (Exodus 14:21–25).

The Lord once again tells Moses to gesture. The Egyptian army is standing at the bottom of the sea, between walls of water. As the sea comes back to its natural place, they attempt to run. But there is nowhere to go. Every chariot, horsemen, and soldier who followed Israel into the sea is drowned. This probably included the pharaoh, himself, who was leading the attack (Exodus 14:6–8). Where the Hebrews crossed in safety, their enemies are utterly wiped out (Exodus 14:26–29).

An entire sea now separates Israel from their former captors. The Egyptian army is ruined, and their pharaoh is probably dead. There is no longer the tiniest tiny chance that Egypt will regain power over Israel. Whatever soldiers chose not to enter the parted waters would have gone back home to explain these events. The Israelites see dead Egyptians washing up on the shore. They recognize the power of God, and that Moses is the Lord's spokesman (Exodus 14:30–31).

The next chapter records Israel's celebrations over this magnificent display of the Lord's love and divinity.