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Good morning! Welcome to today’s Bible Study. The title of our lesson is The God Who Makes a Way: Trusting the Lord Through the Red Sea of Life. Our lesson text is found in Exodus 14:10-22.
Let’s open with prayer: Father God, thank you for the grace that brought us here today, and thank you for your precious Word. Holy Spirit, we pray that you will guide this lesson and help us to receive it, fully comprehend it, and apply it for the rest of our days in Jesus’ name. Amen
Exodus 14:10 says, “And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.”
This verse paints a vivid picture of human fear meeting divine opportunity. After experiencing God’s mighty power through the ten plagues and their miraculous release from bondage, the Israelites now stood at a critical point in their journey of faith.
Before them lay the vast Red Sea; behind them thundered Pharaoh’s chariots and armies. With no visible way of escape, panic seized their hearts. Their natural reaction was fear—so great that they thought death or re-enslavement was inevitable.
Yet even in their terror, they instinctively cried out to the Lord. Though their cry may not have been one of perfect faith, it still reflected dependence on the God who had delivered them.
This moment reveals how God often allows His people to reach the end of themselves so they will fully trust in Him. The Lord was not surprised or caught off guard by Pharaoh’s pursuit—He orchestrated the situation to manifest His glory.
When believers today face impossible odds, we too must remember that God’s purpose is never to destroy us, but to deepen our trust in Him. Fear can become a doorway to faith when we lift our eyes from the approaching enemy to the Almighty Deliverer who parts seas and makes a way where there is none.
Exodus 14:11 says, “Then they said to Moses, ‘Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, to bring us out of Egypt?”
This verse captures the fearful and faithless reaction of the Israelites as they stood trapped between Pharaoh’s approaching army and the Red Sea.
Despite witnessing God’s mighty power through the plagues and their miraculous deliverance from slavery, their faith quickly collapsed when faced with another crisis. Their sarcastic complaint—“Were there no graves in Egypt?”—reveals the depth of their despair and unbelief.
Egypt was famous for its tombs and graves, yet they accused Moses of bringing them out merely to die without proper burial. Their words show how fear can distort perspective, making freedom seem worse than bondage when faith is absent.
This verse exposes the human tendency to doubt God’s goodness when circumstances turn dire. The Israelites’ fear blinded them to the truth that God had not brought them out to perish, but to demonstrate His power and faithfulness.
Likewise, when believers face overwhelming situations, it can be easy to forget past deliverances and question God’s plan. Yet, through trials, God often brings His people to the point where only He can deliver them—so that their faith may grow.
Exodus 14:11 reminds us to trust God’s purposes even when we cannot see the way forward, for His power is greatest when human strength fails.
Exodus 14:12 says, “Is not this the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.”
This verse reveals the Israelites’ deep fear and lack of trust in God’s deliverance. In their panic, they distorted their past and preferred the familiarity of slavery to the uncertainty of faith.
Their words, “Let us alone,” expose a heart unwilling to surrender to God’s greater plan. Though they had cried out to Him for deliverance from bondage (Exodus 2:23–24), now that freedom required faith and endurance, they longed to return to their chains.
Fear made them view Egypt—the place of oppression—as safer than the wilderness of promise.
This verse mirrors a common human struggle: when facing hardship, it is easier to retreat to old habits or comfortable sins than to press forward in faith. The Israelites’ complaint shows how quickly unbelief can erase gratitude for what God has done.
They equated temporary danger with permanent destruction, forgetting that God never delivers His people only to abandon them.
Spiritually, Exodus 14:12 warns believers that freedom in Christ may bring trials, but the life of faith is always better than bondage to sin. The wilderness is not a place of death, but of transformation.
God leads His people through difficulty to display His glory and deepen their dependence on Him. Faith must refuse to turn back, trusting that God’s path always leads to life.
Exodus 14:13 says, “And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever.”
This verse stands as one of the most powerful declarations of faith in the Old Testament. Faced with an impossible situation—the sea before them and Pharaoh’s army behind—Moses called the people to reject fear and trust God’s deliverance.
His words, “Fear ye not,” were not mere comfort but a command to replace panic with faith. “Stand still” does not mean passivity; it means to rest in confidence, ceasing human striving and allowing God to act.
Salvation was not going to come through their strength or strategy but through the Lord’s miraculous intervention.
Moses’ assurance, “The Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever,” reveals divine finality. The very enemies that once enslaved them would soon be destroyed completely.
This moment symbolized God’s power to break bondage permanently—He doesn’t just deliver halfway; He finishes what He begins.
Spiritually, this verse teaches believers to trust God when surrounded by impossible odds. Faith often requires standing still when every instinct screams to flee or fight.
God’s deliverance is seen most clearly when human effort ceases and divine power takes over. Just as the Israelites witnessed the Lord’s salvation at the Red Sea, so too believers are called to watch and see His mighty hand work on their behalf.
Exodus 14:14 says, “The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”
This short but powerful verse captures the heart of divine deliverance. Surrounded by the sea ahead and Pharaoh’s army behind, Israel faced certain death from a human perspective. Yet Moses, full of faith, declared that victory did not depend on their strength but on God’s intervention.
“The Lord shall fight for you” reveals that God Himself would engage the enemy on their behalf. The battle belonged entirely to Him. This truth underscores one of Scripture’s central themes: when God’s people trust Him, He becomes their warrior, their defender, and their source of peace.
The phrase “ye shall hold your peace” means they were to remain calm, silent, and confident in God’s promise. Fear and panic would not change the situation—faith and stillness would.
Often, God’s greatest victories come when His people stop striving and simply rest in His power. Their silence was not weakness, but worship—a quiet confidence that the Lord was in control.
Spiritually, Exodus 14:14 teaches that God fights the battles His children cannot win. Whether the struggle is physical, emotional, or spiritual, He asks us to stand still and trust His timing.
Believers must resist the urge to take matters into their own hands and instead watch as God brings deliverance in ways beyond human understanding. True peace comes not from the absence of conflict but from the assurance that the Almighty fights for us.
Exodus 14:15 says, “And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto Me? Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.”
This verse marks a turning point in the Red Sea narrative. After Moses’ words of faith, God commands action. While Israel stood frozen by fear, God told Moses that it was time to move.
“Wherefore criest thou unto Me?” does not imply that prayer was wrong, but that there is a time when prayer must be followed by obedience. God had already promised deliverance; now He expected faith to take its next step—forward movement.
The command “that they go forward” seemed impossible since the sea still blocked their path. Yet faith often begins with stepping toward what appears impassable, trusting that God will make a way where there is none.
The miracle of the Red Sea did not begin until they obeyed. God’s power is often revealed after obedience, not before it. This verse teaches that faith is not passive. It believes God’s promises and acts upon them, even when circumstances look hopeless.
Many believers pray for God to move, yet He waits for them to take the first step of obedience. The Lord had already equipped Moses with the rod of authority; now it was time to use it.
Spiritually, Exodus 14:15 challenges every believer to go forward in faith. When God commands movement, hesitation reveals doubt. Progress in the Christian life requires trust that the God who calls us forward will also open the way ahead.
Exodus 14:16 says, “But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.”
In this verse, God gives Moses clear instructions for the miracle that would deliver His people. The “rod” in Moses’ hand was not magical; it symbolized God’s divine authority and power working through His servant.
God had used this same rod before—to bring plagues upon Egypt and to display His might before Pharaoh. Now, that same instrument would become the means of parting the Red Sea. This reveals that God often uses what we already possess when it is surrendered to Him in faith.
When God commanded Moses to “stretch out” his hand, He was calling him to act in obedience. In the same way, when Jesus told a man whose hand was withered in Matthew 12 to stretch out his hand, Jesus was calling him to act in obedience.
Just as the sea would not part until Moses exercised the faith to do what seemed impossible, had the man with the withered hand not stretched forth his hand at Jesus’ command, he would have seen no miracle.
This shows the partnership between divine power and human faith—God performs the miracle, but He invites His servant to participate through obedience.
Our struggle with lust works the same. Every time our mind focuses on lust, our response is to immediately bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ and move forward in faith with our day.
The phrase “go on dry ground” emphasizes the completeness of God’s deliverance. The Israelites would not wade through mud or struggle across wet terrain; they would walk safely and surely on solid, dry ground. This demonstrates that when God makes a way, He removes every obstacle.
Spiritually, Exodus 14:16 reminds believers that faith and obedience unlock God’s miraculous power. When we act on His Word, He transforms impossible barriers into pathways of blessing and victory.
Exodus 14:17 says, “And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get Me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.”
Here, God reveals His divine purpose behind the events at the Red Sea. Even as Israel prepared to cross on dry ground, the Lord declared that He would harden the hearts of the Egyptians so they would pursue.
This was not mere cruelty but divine orchestration to display His glory and justice. Pharaoh and his army had persistently resisted God’s warnings and witnessed His power through ten plagues, yet their pride remained unbroken.
Now, God would use their stubbornness to accomplish His final act of judgment.
The phrase “I will get Me honour” shows that the ultimate goal was not just Israel’s escape but God’s exaltation. Through Pharaoh’s destruction, the world would see that no earthly power can stand against the Almighty.
Egypt—the greatest empire of that time—would be humbled before the living God, proving His supremacy over all idols and rulers.
This verse also reveals how God can turn even the rebellion of men into instruments of His purpose. The Egyptians’ pursuit would lead to their own downfall and to Israel’s complete deliverance.
Spiritually, Exodus 14:17 teaches that God’s sovereignty extends even over the hearts of the proud. He allows opposition so that His glory may be fully revealed, reminding believers that every trial ultimately serves His greater plan.
Exodus 14:18 says, “And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.”
This verse reveals God’s ultimate purpose in the events at the Red Sea: to make His identity and power unmistakably known—not only to Israel, but also to Egypt. The Lord’s deliverance of His people was not merely an act of compassion; it was a declaration of divine sovereignty.
Pharaoh had repeatedly defied God’s commands and claimed authority as if he were divine himself. Through the destruction of Pharaoh’s army, God would demonstrate beyond question that He alone is the Lord of heaven and earth.
The phrase “the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord” is striking because it comes after Egypt had already endured the ten plagues. Yet their hearts remained hardened.
This shows that God’s revelation of Himself is progressive and often comes through both mercy and judgment. When kindness is ignored, His justice reveals His power.
God’s “honour upon Pharaoh” refers to the way He would glorify Himself through Pharaoh’s downfall. What Egypt intended as a triumph of strength would become the stage for God’s greatest display of deliverance. The most advanced army of the ancient world would be helpless before the word of the Lord.
Spiritually, Exodus 14:18 teaches that every act of divine intervention—whether in mercy or in judgment—ultimately points to God’s glory. He acts so that all people may know He alone is God, worthy of reverence and faith.
Exodus 14:19 says, “And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them.”
This verse beautifully illustrates God’s active and protective presence with His people. The “angel of God” here represents the divine manifestation of the Lord Himself—often understood as the pre-incarnate Christ—who had been leading Israel through the wilderness.
The “pillar of cloud,” a visible symbol of God’s guidance by day and fire by night, now moved from the front to the rear of the camp. This shift shows that God’s role changed from guiding His people forward to defending them from their enemies.
When the Israelites were trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea, God literally repositioned Himself between them and danger.
This act demonstrates His tender care and His power to protect His people from behind, even when they could not see how deliverance would come. The same presence that had led them now became their shield.
Spiritually, Exodus 14:19 reminds believers that God’s presence is both our guide and our guard. When we follow His leading, He goes before us; when the enemy threatens, He moves behind us to protect.
The Lord never abandons His people—He simply adjusts His position according to their need. This verse assures us that God is both our Leader in the journey and our Defender in the battle, surrounding His children with unfailing protection.
Exodus 14:20 says, “And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.”
This verse vividly portrays God’s supernatural intervention on behalf of His people. The same pillar of cloud that represented God’s presence served two opposite purposes—darkness for the Egyptians and light for the Israelites.
To the Egyptians, it was a mysterious, blinding fog that hindered their pursuit; to the Israelites, it was a radiant beacon of comfort and assurance. This dual effect reveals how God’s presence brings either protection or judgment, depending on a person’s relationship with Him.
By standing between the two camps, God physically and spiritually separated His people from their enemies. All night long, the Egyptians were unable to advance, giving Israel the time needed to cross the Red Sea safely.
This divine barrier demonstrated that salvation is entirely the work of God—He alone can keep the enemy at bay while His people move forward in faith.
Spiritually, Exodus 14:20 teaches that God’s presence distinguishes His people from the world. What confuses and condemns unbelievers brings light and guidance to those who trust Him.
The same God who shelters His children in light is a consuming fire to those who oppose Him. This verse assures believers that even in the darkest night, God’s presence is both their shield and their light, ensuring safe passage through every trial.
Exodus 14:21 says, “And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.”
This verse records the miraculous moment when God began to part the Red Sea. Moses, acting in obedience to God’s command, stretched out his hand—a simple gesture of faith—while God performed the impossible.
The verse emphasizes divine power working through human obedience. It was not Moses’ hand or the rod that parted the waters, but the Lord Himself. The “strong east wind” was the physical means God used, demonstrating His control over creation.
All night long, that wind blew, turning what was once an impassable barrier into a dry pathway for His people.
The phrase “made the sea dry land” reveals the completeness of God’s deliverance. The seabed was not muddy or treacherous but solid and safe—fit for millions of Israelites to cross with their children, animals, and possessions.
The dividing of the waters displayed God’s absolute authority over nature, showing that He can make a way where none exists.
Spiritually, Exodus 14:21 reminds believers that God often works through processes that take time (revealed by the statement: “all that night”) before the miracle becomes visible.
Faith must endure through the waiting. What seems like a dead end can become a highway of deliverance when God acts. His wind—the power of His Spirit—still moves to remove obstacles and make a way for His people to walk in freedom.
Exodus 14:22 says, “And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.”
This verse describes the awe-inspiring moment when Israel stepped forward in faith, walking through what had once been a vast, impassable sea. The path God created was not damp or unstable—it was “dry ground,” a sign of His complete and perfect deliverance.
The “walls” of water on either side testified to God’s power, forming a visible display of His protection. What should have been a place of death became a corridor of life because of His presence.
The Israelites’ decision to walk into the sea demonstrated obedience and courage. Though the miracle was before their eyes, it still required faith to enter a path surrounded by towering walls of water.
Every step declared their trust that God would sustain them until they reached the other side. Their walk through the sea symbolizes the believer’s journey of faith—stepping forward through what appears impossible, trusting God to hold back the chaos that surrounds.
Spiritually, Exodus 14:22 portrays salvation itself. Just as Israel passed safely through the waters, leaving bondage behind, believers pass from death to life through faith in Christ.
The walls of water remind us that God’s power not only opens the way but also holds back destruction until His people are secure. When God makes a way, His protection surrounds every step until the journey is complete.
Amen. Praise the living God! Let’s close with prayer.
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the powerful lesson from Exodus 14:10–22. You are the same God who parted the Red Sea, who led Your people with a pillar of cloud and fire, and who still makes a way where there seems to be no way.
Lord, we are reminded that You are faithful in every storm and mighty in every battle. When fear rises and obstacles surround us, help us to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.
Father, forgive us for the times we doubt Your promises or look back toward bondage instead of pressing forward in faith. Teach us to trust You completely—to believe that the rod of Your authority and the wind of Your Spirit can move even the greatest barriers before us.
Strengthen our hearts to “go forward” when You command, knowing that Your presence goes before us to guide and behind us to protect.
Just as You turned the sea into dry ground for Israel, turn our trials into testimonies of Your power. Let the world see through our lives that You alone are the Lord, mighty to save and faithful to deliver.
May we walk each day in the assurance that You fight for us and that Your hand still divides the waters for those who trust You.
We give You all the glory, honor, and praise, for You are our Deliverer and our Defender.
In Jesus’ mighty name we pray,
Amen.
Thank you for your attention. You are blessed in Jesus' name!
More grace,
Michael Wilkerson 11-9-25
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