#10 The Red Sea

#10 The Red Sea: Israel’s Deliverance and Egypt’s Defeat Exodus 13:17–22

“History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid.”

President Dwight D. Eisenhower spoke those words in his first inaugural address, January 20, 1953. As the man who helped lead the Allies to victory in World War II, General Eisenhower knew a great deal about the high cost of victory as well as the heavy burden of freedom that always follows. British novelist Charles Kingsley rightly said, “There are two freedoms—the false, where a man is free to do what he likes; and the true, where a man is free to do what he ought.” Throughout their history, the nation of Israel struggled with both of these freedoms, just as God’s people struggle with them today.

It’s a mark of maturity when we learn that freedom is a tool to build with, not a toy to play with, and that freedom involves accepting responsibility. Israel’s exodus experience taught them that their future success lay in fulfilling three important responsibilities: following the Lord (13:17-22), trusting the Lord (14:1-31), and praising the Lord (15:12-21).

Things do not always turn out the way we expect. One can surely say this with regard to the Egyptian soldiers, who were pursuing the Israelites in the Egyptian desert. They left Egypt hastily, expecting that it would take but a little time and effort to round up the Israelites and drive them back to Egypt. Confidently, they pursued them into the midst of the Red Sea, only to discover, too late, that God was fighting for Israel and against them. In spite of their best efforts to escape, the entire army was wiped out that day, drowned in the Red Sea.

Israel’s passing through the Red Sea is one of the most exciting events recorded in the Old Testament. It was an event of great importance to the nation. It rid the Israelites, once for all, of Pharaoh’s dominion. It also released them from their obligation to return to Egypt, after traveling three days journey into the wilderness to worship God. This was, in fact, the birth of the nation Israel.

While this story is an exciting account of Israel’s escape, it is also the awesome account of the destruction of the Egyptian army who pursued them. In our next lesson, we will focus more on the deliverance of the nation Israel, but in this study we shall concentrate our attention on the destruction of the Egyptian army which pursued them into the sea. It is one of the vivid accounts of the judgment of God which we dare not neglect. Let us, then, consider the destruction of the enemies of God.

THE RED SEA AND THE WILDERNESS WANDERINGS: THE BELIEVER’S TRIALS AS HE JOURNEYS TO THE PROMISED LAND, 13:17-18:27

(13:17-18:27) DIVISION OVERVIEW— Wilderness Wanderings— Israel— World, Described: after centuries of shattered dreams, Israel was finally free. God had delivered Israel from Egypt and its enslavement, and now, the people were marching to the promised land. But lying between Egypt and the promised land of Canaan was a vast wilderness, a desert, a dreadful and fearful desert, a wilderness that was...

The desert wilderness was a dangerous land with its wild, ferocious animals and venomous snakes and scorpions. Nevertheless, the Israelites had to march through the wilderness if they were to reach the promised land. The most direct route would have taken them several weeks at most to reach their destination. But, surprisingly, God did not lead Israel straight to the promised land. God kept Israel in the wilderness for forty years—forty long years (Numbers 14:33; Deut. 29:5). God led Israel to wander all throughout the desert wilderness, to meander and roam here and there and then back again. For forty long years God kept Israel in the wilderness wandering about. In fact, this period of Israel’s history is known as The Wilderness Wanderings. Imagine! A journey that would take just a few short weeks took forty years, forty long, weary years (Numbers 32:13).

Now, why did God keep the Israelites in the desert wilderness for forty long years before He led them into the promised land. Why did God lead His people in a meandering route before entering the promised land? There are several passages of Scripture that tell us, that clearly show why God led Israel through the wilderness wanderings.

1. God led the Israelites through the wilderness wanderings to humble them: this God did by revealing the sinful nature of the human heart.

“And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee” (Deut. 8:2).

The wilderness wanderings reveal the true heart of man, the true nature of the human heart. The wilderness wanderings show that the human heart is...

“(Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:8-13).

“But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief” (Hebrews 3:17-19).

“Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief” (Hebrews 4:11).

“And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather [manna], and they found none. And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws [to keep the Sabbath holy]?” (Exodus 16:27-28).

“And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?” (Exodus 15:24).

“And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness” (Exodus 16:2).

“Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD?” (Exodus 17:2).

“When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws” (Exodus 18:16).

2. God led the Israelites through the wilderness wanderings to test them, to see if they would obey God or not. The wilderness wanderings show us how disobedient we really are, how much we must pray and stay on our faces before God...

· that we must draw near and fellowship with Him, live and walk in His presence.

“And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no” (Deut. 8:2).

“He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye” (Deut. 32:10).

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

“Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me” (Isaiah 43:10).

“Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6).

3. God led the Israelites through the wilderness wanderings to reveal that life is a pilgrimage of faith, that people needed to learn to trust God more and more. People need God—His love, grace, and strength— to reach the promised land. The believer could never reach the promised land by himself—through his own strength and efforts, no matter how strong or courageous. The believer could never overcome the lurking dangers nor find his way out of the vast unmarked terrain of the wilderness and reach the promised land, not all alone, not without God’s help. To march through the desert wilderness the believer must learn that he needs God, and that his need is desperate. The believer needs...

4. God led the Israelites through the wilderness wanderings to reveal that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. The wilderness wanderings show us...

· that man is not satisfied nor fulfilled with physical things alone; spiritual things are also needed, especially the Word of God.

· that man cannot walk through life trusting the words of men to carry him through the wilderness of life. He has to walk trusting the Word of God to conquer the wilderness and to reach the promised land.

5. God led the Israelites through the wilderness wanderings to teach them to fear God, to fear His chastening hand so much that they would obey Him. As Israel walked through the wilderness, they saw God chastening and correcting the persons who did their own thing and disobeyed God. Throughout life we often witness the chastening hand of God. By this, we learn to fear God. We learn that He loves us and because He loves us, He will correct us. The point is this: God will chasten us if we disobey Him. Hence, His chastening hand stirs us to fear and obey Him.

6. God led the Israelites through the wilderness wanderings to teach them to praise the LORD, to bless Him for His abundant provision and supply and for the glorious promise of the promised land.

7. God led the Israelites through the wilderness wanderings because of their sin. The wilderness wanderings were the judgment of God upon the people because of their unbelief and sins.

1. The wilderness wanderings were appointed by God to be an example for us, a warning to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as the Israelites did.

“Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

2. The wilderness wanderings were appointed by God to be written down in Scripture, recorded to teach us how to walk through the wilderness of this world, through all the trials, problems, and sufferings of life. We are to walk in hope, the hope of Christ and of the promised land...

· walk gaining comfort and encouragement from the Scriptures (from the lessons learned from the experiences of Israel).

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

Israel’s journey—the wilderness wanderings—was neither easy nor appreciated. It took a supreme act of God’s power to pry open Pharaoh’s grip on the Israelites, but it took the simple act of unbelief for Israel to squander their new-found freedom. The promised land was theirs to reach and enjoy, but the journey exposed the hardness and unbelief of their hearts. Their hardness and unbelief brought the judgment of God down upon them, and they were never allowed to enter the promised land of God (Numbers 14:30; cp. Numbers 26:65; Numbers 32:11; Numbers 32:13; Deut. 1:35-36; Joshua 5:6; Psalm 95:10-11; Ezekiel 20:15-16; Hebrews 3:18-19; Hebrews 4:6).

Þ Their hearts should have been filled with gratitude for God’s great goodness. Instead the trials of the wilderness wanderings reflected what was really lying within each person’s heart, a spirit of unbelief.

Þ Their hearts should have marched in victory, marched with a spirit of assurance, knowing that God would guide and take care of them. Instead they wandered about filled with a spirit of murmuring, grumbling, and complaining.

Þ Their hearts should have been filled with a spirit of fear, reverence, and worship because of God’s great power demonstrated in the terrifying plagues cast upon Egypt. Instead they were filled with a spirit of idolatry and sexual immorality (Exodus 32:1-6; 1 Cor. 10:1-12).

Indeed, Israel’s experience was a tragic experience. But it will be an even greater tragedy if we do not learn from Israel’s failure in the wilderness wanderings. As we walk through the wilderness of this world, we must do as Scripture says above: learn from Israel’s story. This is the fascinating study of this division of Scripture: The Red Sea AND the Wilderness Wanderings: THE BELIEVER’S TRIALS AS HE JOURNEYS TO THE PROMISED LAND, 13:17-18:27.

Charting Israel’s Course (13:17‑22)

Introduction: God leads His dear people. God leads us day by day and night by night. Throughout life we face problems and difficulties, trials and temptations that are ever so...

There just seems to be no way out, no solution, no way to conquer, triumph, or overcome. But this is not true: it is a defeating lie. God cares for us and God will lead us out of the problem. God will give us the way and the strength to overcome and conquer no matter what the difficulty may be. God will guide us by day and by night—every day and every night—if we will only follow Him. This is the great lesson to be learned from the very beginning of Israel’s wilderness wanderings. This is: Beginning the Wilderness Journey: God’s Guidance by Day and by Night, Exodus 13:17-22.

2. God led His people to focus upon great faith: they honored the great faith of Joseph in the promised land—demonstrated in his wish to be buried there (v.19).

3. God led His people by His very own presence—every step of the way (v.20-22).

The structure of verses 17‑22 is an important clue to our understanding of this passage. I agree with Gispen[1] that verses 17‑19 are parenthetical and explanatory, and that verse 20 begins the description of Israel’s movements as they leave the land of Egypt and begin the trek to Canaan. Verse 20 therefore does not describe a change in course, but begins to describe the course which was the outworking of God’s purpose for Israel, as outlined in verses 17-18.

There were three possible land routes for Israel to take, by which they could have reached Canaan.[2] The shortest route would have been to follow the “way of the land of the Philistines” (v. 17),[3] but God deliberately avoided this road. The reason given is that they would have encountered war and this would have caused them to lose heart and turn back to Egypt (v. 17).

It is not altogether certain with whom the Israelites would have had to fight. Some reject the possibility of fighting with the Philistines because they have concluded that the Philistines had not settled in Canaan in sufficient numbers as yet.[4] I am inclined to think that it is war with the Philistines to which Moses is referring here.[5] While the Egyptians had forts strategically located along the routes to other countries, the Israelites had gained Pharaoh’s permission to leave Egypt. Besides this, Israel did, in fact, confront the army of Egypt at the Red Sea.

It may seem strange that God wanted to avoid a military confrontation when we are told in verse 18 (cf. also Exod. 6:26; 12:41) that the Israelites were “armed for battle.” The expression used here has been understood to refer only the orderly way in which the Israelites (nearly 2 million people, counting women and children, cf. Exod. 12:37) departed Egypt.[6] Others understand that the Israelites did come out of Egypt at least partially armed, but all seem to agree that Israel was not at all prepared to fight a full scale battle at this point in time.[7] It would be some time before the Israelites were ready to do battle. At this time, all Israel needed to do was to “be still and watch” (14:14).

Israel’s exodus from Egypt wasn’t the end of their experience with God; it was the new beginning. “It took one night to take Israel out of Egypt, but forty years to take Egypt out of Israel,” said George Morrison.^5-1 If Israel obeyed His will, God would bring them into the Promised Land and give them their inheritance. Forty years later, Moses would remind the new generation, “He [the Lord] brought you out of Egypt … to bring you in, to give you [the] land as an inheritance” (Deut. 4:37-38, nkjv).

The same thing can be said of the redemption we have in Christ: God brought us out of bondage that He might bring us into blessing. A.W. Tozer used to remind us that “we are saved to as well as saved from.”^5-2 The person who trusts Jesus Christ is born again into the family of God, but that’s just the beginning of an exciting new adventure that should lead to growth and conquest. God liberates us and then leads us through the varied experiences of life, a day at a time, so that we might get to know Him better and claim by faith all that He wants us to have. At the same time, we come to know ourselves better; we discover our strengths and weaknesses, and we grow in understanding God’s will and trusting His promises.

(13:17-18) Guidance— Problems— Difficulties: God led His people away from trouble. He was their Scout, their Pioneer, their Guide, their Leader.

Nothing takes God by surprise, for in His providence He plans the best way for His people to take. We may not always understand the way He chooses, or even agree with it, but His way is always the right way. We may confidently say, “He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (Ps. 23:3, nkjv), and we should humbly pray, “Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me” (Ps. 25:4-5, nkjv).

If there had been any military strategists in Israel that night, they probably would have disagreed with the evacuation route God selected because it was too long.Israel’s immediate destination was Mt. Sinai, but why take several million people the long way instead of using the shorter and easier route? The answer is: because there were Egyptian military posts along the shorter route, and the soldiers stationed there would have challenged the Jews. Furthermore, crossing the Philistine borders would have invited their army to attack, and the last thing Israel needed was a war with the neighbors. God knew what He was doing when He chose the longer way.

If you permit the Lord to direct your steps (Prov. 3:5-6), expect to be led occasionally on paths that may seem unnecessarily long and circuitous. Remind yourself that God knows what He’s doing, He isn’t in a hurry, and as long as you follow Him, you’re safe and in the place of His blessing. He may close some doors and suddenly open others, and we must be alert (Acts 16:6-10; 2 Cor. 2:12-13).

a. The shortest route to the promised land went up along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea right through the land of the Philistines. The Philistines were to become aggressive, bitter enemies of God’s people. God knew that the Philistines would feel threatened by two or three million people marching through their land, that they would attack His people.

b. God’s people were just not strong enough to fight. Moreover, they had few if any weapons with which to fight. They had been reared as slaves, not warriors. They had no military training whatsoever. They had the spirit of slaves—broken, slavish spirits—not the spirit of soldiers. God knew exactly what His people needed...

· they needed to be forever freed of fearing the Egyptians; therefore, God was planning to destroy the Egyptian army in the Red Sea.

· they needed to be hardened and toughened by living in the wilderness for several decades before facing the enemies who would stand against their entering the promised land.

· they needed to be humbled and proven, to see exactly what was in their hearts, whether or not they would keep God’s commandments.

“And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token [sign] unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain” (Exodus 3:12).

· they needed to be given the laws of God and molded into a strong nation of people before entering the promised land (Exodus 20:1f).

· they needed to travel all about throughout the wilderness—hundreds of miles—in order to learn to trust God before they could inherit the promised land, to trust God as their...

“He found him [Israel] in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, be instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye” (Deut. 32:10).

“And he led them [Israel] forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation” (Psalm 107:7).

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city” (Hebrews 11:13-16).

2. God led His people toward the Red Sea. What we commonly call the Red Sea is better translated the Sea of Reeds (yam-suph). The Sea of Reeds or yam-suph was most likely what we know as the Red Sea. But this is disputable. Many Bible-believing commentators feel that the Red Sea is too far south to fit the description in Exodus 14:2. Whatever our own personal conclusion, the Red Sea of that day would not include the extension of the sea, not include the Gulf of Suez that has been constructed by man.

3. God led His people in an orderly fashion. That is, they marched in some form of military rank and file (Exodus 13:18). The Israelites knew that the Egyptians could change their minds and begin to pursue them at any moment. If they had marched forth like a mob in a disorderly fashion, they would have no sense of strength, no sense that they could protect themselves despite their enormous numbers. Order and organization always encourages people, especially when there is the possibility of trouble. Thus God encouraged the people by having Moses organize them into divisions, divisions of some military rank and file. Like a mighty army, they marched forth toward the promised land. The sight of two plus million people marching in military file must have been an awesome sight, a sight that stirred and excited the hearts of God’s people beyond expression. The electrifying sense of confidence, strength, and power must have surged through their bodies, just because of the shear fact that they formed such an enormous army of people.

God knows how to lead us away from trouble. He knows our weaknesses, both psychologically and physically. He knows exactly how much we can bear. God will always lead us...

“Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face” (Psalm 5:8).

“Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies” (Psalm 27:11).

“For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death” (Psalm 48:14).

“Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies” (Psalm 60:11-12).

The world is like a wilderness, a wilderness through which we must struggle in order to survive. The church has been placed in the world to show us how to survive in the wilderness. As we journey through the wilderness of this world, we must stand together, stand in one spirit, stand in unity. A strong show of unity will protect us and keep our enemies at bay, enemies like:

“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” (1 Peter 5:8-9).

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7).

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1).

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).

Note is made of the fact that the “bones of Joseph” were taken along. This was a reflection of the faith of Joseph, and the carrying out of his instructions that his remains be preserved and carried from Egypt to Canaan (cf. Gen. 49:26; 50:24‑26). The fulfillment of Joseph’s request is recorded in Joshua 24:32. Stephen also refers to this in Acts 7:15‑16. The exodus of Israel is thus linked historically to the Abrahamic Covenant and to the faith of the patriarchs of Israel.

Before he died, Joseph made his brothers promise that, when God delivered Israel from Egypt, their descendants would take his coffin with them to the Promised Land (Gen. 50:24-25; Heb. 11:22). Joseph knew that God would keep His promise and rescue the Children of Israel (Gen. 15:13-16). Joseph also knew that he belonged in the land of Canaan with his people (Gen. 49:29-33).

What did this coffin mean to the generations of Jews who lived during the years of terrible bondage in Egypt? Certainly the Jews could look at Joseph’s coffin and be encouraged. After all, the Lord cared for Joseph during his trials, and finally delivered him, and He would care for the nation of Israel and eventually set them free. During their years in the wilderness, Israel saw Joseph’s coffin as a reminder that God has His times and keeps His promises. Joseph was dead, but he was bearing witness to the faithfulness of God. When they arrived in their land, the Jews kept their promise and buried Joseph with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Josh. 24:32).

Is it idolatrous to have visible reminders of God’s faithfulness? Not necessarily, for you find several significant monuments in the Book of Joshua. When Israel crossed the Jordan River, they put up a monument of stones on the farther shore to commemorate what God had done (Josh. 4). They also put stones on Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerizim to remind them of God’s Law (Ex. 8:30-32). A heap of stones bore witness of Achan’s treachery (Josh. 7:25-26), and a “witness stone” was a reminder of Israel’s rededication after the conquest of the land (Josh. 24:24-28). Samuel set up a stone to commemorate Israel’s victory over the Philistines and called it “Ebenezer, the stone of help” (1 Sam. 7:12).

As long as we keep obeying the Lord, such reminders can encourage our faith. The important thing is that they point to the Lord and not to a dead past, and that we continue to walk by faith and obey the Lord today.

While the writer gives us the names of the places where the Israelites stayed,[8] the exact locations of these places are simply not known.[9] At best, one can only conjecture as to their locations, and even at this scholars disagree. In general, we can safely infer that the nation was moving in a south‑easterly direction. The wilderness which the Israelites are skirting is not the wilderness of Sinai, but of Egypt.[10]

(13:20-22) Guidance— Pillar of Cloud and Fire— Cloud— Faithfulness, of God: The nation was guided by a pillar (column) of cloud by day that became a pillar of fire by night. This pillar was identified with the angel of the Lord who led the nation (14:19; 23:20-23; see Neh. 9:12). God occasionally spoke from the pillar of cloud (Num. 12:5-6; Deut. 31:15-16; Ps. 99:7), and the pillar of cloud also shielded the people from the hot sun as they journeyed by day (Ps. 105:39). When the cloud moved, the camp moved; when the cloud waited, the camp waited (Ex. 40:34-38).

We don’t have this same kind of visible guidance today, but we do have the Word of God which is a light (Ps. 119:105) and a fire (Jer. 23:29). It’s interesting to note that the pillar of fire gave light to the Jews but was darkness to the Egyptians (Ex. 14:20). God’s people are enlightened by the Word (Eph. 1:15-23), but the unsaved can’t understand God’s truth (Matt. 11:25; 1 Cor. 2:11-16).

The Spirit of God, who is the Spirit of Truth, guides us by teaching us the Word (John 16:12-13). Just as God spoke to Moses from the pillar, so the Lord communicates with us from the Scriptures by making them clear to us. There are times when we aren’t sure which way God wants us to go, but if we wait on Him, He will eventually guide us.

How foolish it would have been for the Jews to pause in their march and take a vote to see which route they should take to Mt. Sinai! Certainly there’s a place for community counsel and referendum (Acts 6:1-7), but when God has spoken, there’s no need for consultation. On more than one occasion in Scripture, the majority has been wrong.

1. God led His people to move from Succoth to Etham, to camp over on the very edge of the desert (Exodus 13:20).

This was another detour leading south, away from the promised land. Why? Because of the Egyptian fortifications on the edge of the Desert of Shur.

These forts protected Egypt from invaders, and they obviously posed a threat to the Israelites. The Israelites appeared to be sitting ducks for Pharaoh’s vengeance. They seemed to be surrounded...

But God had a plan, a plan for a glorious escape when all hope seemed to be lost. The “Great Escape” being planned by God was beginning to unfold.

2. Note how God led His people. He used a pillar of cloud to guide them by day, a cloud that became a cloud of fire at night. The cloud is actually called “the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night” (Exodus 13:21). What was this pillar of cloud and pillar of fire?

“This single ‘pillar’ (Exodus 14:24), which was a cloud by day and a fire by night, whose width at the base was sufficiently large to provide cover for Israel from the intense heat (Psalm 105:39), was a visible symbol of the presence of Yahweh in their midst.

· “The pillar of the cloud and fire was but another name for ‘the angel of God’...Exodus 14:19 equates the two as does Exodus 23:20-23.

· “God’s Name was ‘in’ this angel who went before them to bring them into Canaan (Exodus 23:20-23).

· “Malachi 3:1 calls this angel the ‘messenger of the covenant,’ who is equated with the Lord, the owner of the temple.

“Obviously, then the Christ of the NT is the shekinah glory or Yahweh of the OT. Through this cloudy pillar the Lord would speak to Moses (Exodus 33:9-11) and to the people (Psalm 99:6-7). Such easy movement from the pillar of cloud and fire to the angel and back to the Lord himself has already been met in the same interchange between the burning bush, the angel, and the Lord in Exodus 3.” ⁵⁰

“God guided Israel out of Egypt and through the wilderness by a pillar of cloud by day. This became a pillar of fire by night that they might travel by night in escaping from the Egyptian army (Exodus 13:21-22). When the Egyptians overtook the Israelites, the angel of the Lord removed this cloudy, fiery pillar from before them and placed it behind them as an effective camouflage (Exodus 14:19, 20, 24).

Þ “The pillar of cloud stood over the tent of meeting outside the camp, whenever the Lord met Moses there (Exodus 33:7-11).

“No natural phenomenon and fire fits the Biblical description: the cloud and fire were divine manifestations, in a form sufficiently well-defined to be called a pillar.” ⁵¹

It is probably best to picture the cloud as being just what Scripture says, a cloud. It would seem that the LORD caused a cloud to form above the children of Israel, a cloud that remained during their forty year wilderness wanderings.

Þ The cloud protected the people from the heat of the sun when needed (Exodus 13:21-22).

Þ The cloud became a cloud of fire by night providing light for the people when needed (Exodus 13:21).

Þ There was only one pillar, not two, one “pillar of fire and cloud” (Exodus 14:24).

Þ The LORD Himself was in the cloud. The cloud was the visible symbol of God’s presence among His people (Exodus 13:21; Exodus 14:24).

Þ The LORD often spoke to the people from the cloud (Numbers 12:5-6; Deut. 31:15-16; Psalm 99:6-7).

Note one other fact: the pillar of cloud and fire was a symbol, a picture of baptism. The New Testament says that the Israelites were baptized into Moses in the cloud. How? By placing themselves under the guidance and command of the cloud. The cloud was given by God to show Moses where to lead the Israelites. Therefore, when they followed the cloud, they were placing themselves under the guidance and command of Moses. They were identifying themselves—proclaiming themselves—to be followers of God and of His appointed leader, Moses.

3. God led His people faithfully: neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night ever left its place in guiding the people of God (Exodus 13:22). Remember the wilderness or desert was a wasted, barren, desolate, hot, and dry place. There were no roads, no signs, and no guides to lead God’s people over the desert. Most likely, none of the people had ever been across the desert. They were on their own, left totally to themselves but for one Person: God Himself. How faithful was God? His presence never left them, not for a moment. The pillar of cloud and of fire never left its place, never. God led His dear people every step of their journey as they marched to the promised land.

We who have believed—truly believed in Christ—are marching to the promised land of heaven. As we march, we can rest assured of this one great fact: God leads us by His very own presence, and He will never leave us. No matter what problems arise and no matter how severe the circumstances may be, God will guide us every step of the way. He will never forsake us.

Verses 21 and 22 describe one of the primary means God employed to guide the people as they traveled. A pillar‑shaped cloud, in which God was present (cf. 14:24), served to guide the people both day and night.[11] In the daytime the pillar took the form of a cloud; at night the pillar was a pillar of fire, thus being visible as a guide, as well as providing light for the people as they traveled (remember that at night vipers would be active, for example). Later, this pillar would serve as a protective buffer when moved between the Israelites and the Egyptians (14:19‑20). There have been a number of naturalistic explanations of this pillar, but their only value is for our amusement.[12]

The important thing to observe, I believe, is that God was faithful to provide the Israelites with a visible manifestation of His presence, protection, and guidance. The pillar, we are told, was constantly with them and never left (or failed) them. God continually gives His people evidences of His presence with them.

DEEPER STUDY (13:20) Succoth— Cities: this was an Egyptian city. Note these facts:

Þ Succoth was Israel’s first stop when they left Egypt (cp. Exodus 12:37; Exodus 13:20; and Numbers 33:5-6).

Þ Succoth is likely the site of the modern day Egyptian City Tel el-Maskhutah, a border city in the eastern section of the biblical land of Goshen, west of the bitter lakes.⁵²

Þ The same name was also given to a city in Canaan during the time of Jacob (cp. Genesis 33:17).

DEEPER STUDY (13:20) Etham— Cities: this was an Egyptian city that probably served as a fort to protect the border of Egypt. Note:

[1] W. H. Gispen, Exodus, trans. by Ed van der Maas (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1982), p. 138.

[2] “Most traffic leaving Egypt heading eastward would take one of three roads. The most direct route to Canaan was the Via Maris, ‘the way of the sea.’ This road began at the frontier fortress of Sile, near modern Qantara, and reached Canaan at Raphia. … Another route that was taken by travelers heading eastward was ‘the way of Shur’ which crossed the Sinai peninsula to southern Canaan where it connected with the important water‑parting route from Jerusalem and Hebron to Beersheba in the Negeb. … The third route, known today as ‘the pilgrim’s way,’ ran across the peninsula from the head of the Gulf of Suez to Exion‑geber which was located at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba.” John J. Davis, Moses and the Gods of Egypt (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1971), pp. 155‑156.

“The fact is that it was not absolutely necessary for the Israelites to cross a body of water in order to travel from Egypt into the Sinai peninsula. Many persons imagine that Egypt in ancient times was separated from that peninsula by a continuous body of water, as it is today. But the Suez Canal was dug in the nineteenth century A.D. The isthmus of Suez at its narrowest is about 70 miles from north to south. Of this distance, about forty miles are covered by lakes, the rest being land.” J. P. Hyatt, Exodus (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1980), pp. 156‑157.

[3] “This was the direct route, but was heavily guarded by Egypt: the commentators give instances of the careful lists, kept by the Egyptian guards, of arrivals and departures at the frontier. The Israelites would certainly have ‘seen war’ (Hebraic for ‘experienced war’) along that route.” R. Alan Cole, Exodus: An Introduction and Commentary (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1973), p. 116.

“The Pharaohs used this road for their expeditions to Syria, both during Moses’ time and afterward; it was the most direct link between Egypt and Canaan. Yet God avoided it, since the Philistines were outstanding soldiers, and God did not want His people to lose heart and change their mind when they were attacked by chariots in the open plains and would prove inferior to the Philistines in military equipment.” Gispen, p. 138.

[4] “The mention of the Philistines has been used as an argument against the factual accuracy of this narrative; it is claimed that the Philistines did not yet live in the southern coastal plains of Canaan at this time and did not settle there until after 1200 B.C., while the Exodus took place around 1445 B.C. … However, the Philistines were already mentioned in Genesis 26 as living in Canaan, and Gerar was called ‘the land of the Philistines’ in Genesis 21:32, 34. The Philistines are also mentioned in 15:14 and 23:31. Noordtzij has offered plausible reasons why the Egyptian inscriptions before 1200 B.C. are silent about the Philistines. … Excavations, especially those at Gerar, where pottery from the period 2000‑1500 B.C. has been found similar to that of the later Philistines, also support Noordtzij’s opinion. It is thus correct to speak here of the land of the Philistines.” Gispen, p. 139.

[5] Keil and Delitzsch hold this view, observing that, “The Philistines were very warlike, and would hardly have failed to resist the entrance of the Israelites into Canaan, of which they had taken possession of a very large portion.” C. F. Keil and F. Delitzsch, The Pentateuch, Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1968 [reprint]), II, p. 38.

[6] Keil and Delitzsch write that this term “… signifies equipped, … not ‘armed,’ but prepared for the march, as contrasted with fleeing in disorder like fugitives.” Ibid.

[7] “… we may well believe they left Egypt with some arms in order to combat resistance at the border fortresses.” Hyatt, p. 149.

“The statement that the Israelites left Egypt ‘armed for battle’ (some think that the word used here is related to the Egyptian word for ‘lance,’ others that it means ‘arranged in battle units,’ …) serves to explain their subsequent readiness to do battle with e.g., Amalek (ch. 17). The Israelites took not only jewelry, but also arms out of Egypt!” Gispen, p. 139.

“The use of this term in Joshua 1:14; 4:12 and Judges 7:11 has led some to suggest the meaning ‘armed’ or perhaps ‘equipped for battle.’ Whether it is approriate to describe the children of Israel as ‘armed’ at this point is doubtful. They, in all probability, did secure some armor from the Egyptians but could not at this point be described as a mobilized army.” Davis, pp. 156, 158.

[8] This indicates that the writer was one who knew this area very well, and that it would not be possible for anyone other than Moses to have supplied this information.

[9] “The exact locations of these places are unknown …” Cole, p. 118.

[10] “The wilderness spoken of here is the desert area lying between Egypt and the Red Sea—not the wilderness of the Sinai peninsula.” Davis, p. 156.

[11] “This pillar of cloud and fire is mentioned on several occasions during the wilderness journey, cf. 40:38; Numbers 9:15‑23; 14:14; Deuteronomy 1:33; Nehemiah 9:12, 19; Psalms 78:14; 105:39; 1 Corinthians 10:1. This pillar, the proof of the Lord’s presence, expressed His love and care for Israel (cf. Gen. 15:17).” Gispen, p. 140.

[12] Cole is disappointingly wishy‑washy here, leaning toward the explanation that the pillar was a desert ‘whirlwind.’ Cf. Cole, p. 118. Hyatt (p. 150) includes such possibilities as the tradition of the Arabs of carrying braziers filled with burning wood at the head of an army or caravan to indicate the line of march. He also suggests volcanic activity as a “more probable” explanation.