The account of Moses leading the people of Israel through the Red Sea is one of the most iconic moments in all of scripture. The hand of God in this incredible story gives us insight into God’s amazing power and how He protected his people. Can you imagine Moses leading God’s people through the “dry” bottom of the sea only to look back and see Pharaoh’s Army arriving, then watching as the army was destroyed by God, when he ceased holding the waters back that would become their demise.
It’s interesting to see that in Hebrews 11:29, the writer calls the people of Israel’s journey through the bottom of the sea floor an act of faith. We see the Red Sea brought up all time through the scriptures to strengthen the faith of the people of Israel. Moses expounds on the Red Sea miracle in one of his sermons recorded in in Deuteronomy to remind the people of God’s faithfulness in their journey. Rahab brought up the event in the conversation with the spies she was hiding from the authorities in Jericho (Joshua 2:10). God’s hand in the Red Sea escape was proof to her that God was giving her homeland to the Hebrews, and she would be of assistance. This act of faith changed her destiny. When the nation of Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground it was a reminder of what God did for them when they left Egypt and walked on dry land through the Red Sea (Joshua 4:23). Joshua told the people of Israel to recount these stories, “so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.“(Joshua 4::24).
The Red Sea is spoken of in 10 books of the Old Testament, from the Pentateuch to the Prophets the story is told. In the New Testament, there are two instances where the Red Sea is mentioned, Acts and Hebrews. The first martyr, Stephen, speaks of Moses and the miracle of the Red Sea in his speech before his death where he, “was attempting to clear the way for the proclamation of the centrality of Jesus in the nation’s worship, life, and thought.” After 1 his comment, Stephen gave up his life for the gospel resting in the promise of eternal life found in his newfound faith in Jesus.
In our journey as parents Amy and I have made it a point to speak to our children about our Red Sea moments as a family. Moments where God led in such a miraculous way that it was not possible to miss his presence and power in our lives in tough circumstances. His hand guided us from oppression into freedom, from sadness to joy, from anxiety to peace, and from isolation to community. We all have our Red Sea moments in life where God parts the waters of a great issue in our lives and we proceed in faith as he guides us to the promised land. Have you talked recently about any Red Sea moments in your life? My challenge to you today is to take some time and share about the moments where God saved you and led you into freedom in Him that has transformed your life.
Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Acts found at biblegateway.com [accessed August 6, 2020) 1