13 But Moses said to the people , " Do not fear ! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today ; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today , you will never e see them again forever e . 14 " The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent ."
15 Then the Lord said to Moses , "Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward . 16 "As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land . 17 "As for Me, behold , I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army , through his chariots and his horsemen . 18 " Then the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord , when I am honored through Pharaoh , through his chariots and his horsemen ." 19 The angel of God , who had been going before the camp of Israel , moved and went behind e them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before e them and stood behind e them. 20 So it came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel ; and there was the cloud along with the darkness , yet it gave light at night . Thus the one did not come near the other all night .
21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea ; and the Lord swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land , so the waters were divided . 22 The sons of Israel went through the midst of the sea on the dry land , and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left . 23 Then the Egyptians took up the pursuit , and all Pharaoh's horses , his chariots and his horsemen went in after them into the midst of the sea . 24 At the morning watch , the Lord looked down on the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud and brought the army of the Egyptians into confusion . 25 He caused their chariot wheels to swerve , and He made them drive with difficulty ; so the Egyptians said , "Let us flee from Israel , for the Lord is fighting for them against the Egyptians ." 26 Then the Lord said to Moses , " Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may come back over the Egyptians , over their chariots and their horsemen ." 27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea , and the sea returned to its normal state at daybreak , while the Egyptians were fleeing right into it; then the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea . 28 The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen , even Pharaoh's entire army that had gone into the sea after them; not even one of them remained . 29 But the sons of Israel walked on dry land through the midst of the sea , and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left . 30 Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians , and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore e . 31 When Israel saw the great power which the Lord had used against the Egyptians , the people feared the Lord , and they believed in the Lord and in His servant Moses .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 14:13-31
Commentary on Exodus 14:10-14
(Read Exodus 14:10-14)
There was no way open to Israel but upward, and thence their deliverance came. We may be in the way of duty, following God, and hastening toward heaven, yet may be troubled on every side. Some cried out unto the Lord; their fear led them to pray, and that was well. God brings us into straits, that he may bring us to our knees. Others cried out against Moses; fear set them murmuring as if God were not still able to work miracles. They quarrel with Moses for bringing them out of Egypt; and so were angry with God for the greatest kindness ever done them; thus gross are the absurdities of unbelief. Moses says, Fear ye not. It is always our duty and interest, when we cannot get out of troubles, yet to get above our fears; let them quicken our prayers and endeavours, but not silence our faith and hope. "Stand still," think not to save yourselves either by fighting or flying; wait God's orders, and observe them. Compose yourselves, by confidence in God, into peaceful thoughts of the great salvation God is about to work for you. If God brings his people into straits, he will find a way to bring them out.
Commentary on Exodus 14:15-20
(Read Exodus 14:15-20)
Moses' silent prayers of faith prevailed more with God than Israel's loud outcries of fear. The pillar of cloud and fire came behind them, where they needed a guard, and it was a wall between them and their enemies. The word and providence of God have a black and dark side toward sin and sinners, but a bright and pleasant side toward the people of the Lord. He, who divided between light and darkness, Genesis 1:4, allotted darkness to the Egyptians, and light to the Israelites. Such a difference there will be between the inheritance of the saints in light, and that utter darkness which will be the portion of hypocrites for ever.
Commentary on Exodus 14:21-31
(Read Exodus 14:21-31)
The dividing the Red sea was the terror of the Canaanites, Isaiah 11:15; and the Egyptians being drowned in it was typical of the final ruin of all unrepenting sinners. God showed his almighty power, by opening a passage through the waters, some miles over. God can bring his people through the greatest difficulties, and force a way where he does not find it. It was an instance of his wonderful favour to his Israel. They went through the sea, they walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea. This was done, in order to encourage God's people in all ages to trust him in the greatest straits. What cannot he do who did this? What will not he do for those that fear and love him, who did this for these murmuring, unbelieving Israelites? Then followed the just and righteous wrath of God upon his and his people's enemies. The ruin of sinners is brought on by their own rage and presumption. They might have let Israel alone, and would not; now they would flee from the face of Israel, and cannot. Men will not be convinced, till it is too late, that those who meddle with God's people, meddle to their own hurt. Moses was ordered to stretch out his hand over the sea; the waters returned, and overwhelmed all the host of the Egyptians. Pharaoh and his servants, who had hardened one another in sin, now fell together, not one escaped. The Israelites saw the Egyptians dead upon the sands. The sight very much affected them. While men see God's works, and feel the benefit, they fear him and trust in him. How well were it for us, if we were always in as good a frame as sometimes! Behold the end to which a Christian may look forward. His enemies rage, and are mighty; but while he holds fast by God, he shall pass the waves in safety guarded by that very power of his Saviour, which shall come down on every spiritual foe. The enemies of his soul whom he hath seen to-day, he shall see no more for ever.