Biblical Date: 1446BC
The Israelites didn’t leave Egypt empty-handed. They took with them all their possessions including their flocks and herds, and gold and silver previously sought from the Egyptians, “they plundered the city”. (Exodus 12:36)
God led the Israelites through the desert to the Red Sea, by day guiding them as a pillar of cloud and by night, a pillar of fire. (Exodus 13:21) God’s presence was the Israelites constant hope for they knew that the Pharaoh had regretted releasing them and had sent soldiers in pursuit of them.
When the Israelites reached the Red Sea, fear gripped the people and they were angry with Moses. In front of them was a seemingly impossible span of water to cross and behind them a cloud of dust from Pharaoh’s approaching troops.
Moses told the people to trust in God and, on His instructions, he held out his staff over the Red Sea. Darkness then covered the land, halting Pharaoh’s soldiers, and a fierce wind raged all night which parted the Red Sea waters and dried a path for the Israelites to cross over.
Safely on the other side of the Red Sea, the Israelites watched Pharaoh’s chariots become clogged in the seabed as they tried to follow. Then as Moses stretched out his hand, they saw the walls of water rush back and drown the pursuing troops.
The Israelites feared the Lord even more as they reflected on the words of Moses from earlier that day when he said to them, “Do not fear! Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord that he will provide for you today; for the Egyptians that you see today, you will never, ever see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you can be still”. (Exodus 14:13-14)
Thought
“A healthy fear of God” is refreshing!
Reflection
Lord God, I surrender myself to you so that I may live in your peace and love. Amen
Prayer: Come Holy Spirit
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful,
and kindle in them the fire of Your Divine Love.
Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created,
and You shall renew the face of the earth.
Oh God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit
instructed the hearts of the faithful.
Grant, that by the same Spirit we may be truly wise and
ever rejoice in His consolation.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Top Questions:
Have archaeological artefacts of the crossing been found?
No. Neither is there a consensus among archeologists on where the crossing may have taken place.
Is there a scientific explanation for the Red Sea parting?
Multiple theories have been suggested from a mirage – it didn’t happen, to low tide, severe winds, tsunami and it wasn’t the Red Sea but the Reed Sea whose geolocation is also unknown!
