The Parting of the Sea: Egypt's Army and the Wall of Water

The Israelites are camped by the sea when they look back and see it: the entire Egyptian army, six hundred chariots and their riders, closing the distance. They are trapped between the water and the weapons, and they are terrified. Their cry rises against Moses: Were there no graves in Egypt? Is this why you brought us out here to die? It is the first of many wilderness complaints, and it is entirely understandable.

Moses says: Do not be afraid. Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will accomplish for you today. The Egyptians whom you see today, you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.

Then God's instruction: Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move forward. Lift your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide it.

That night, a pillar of cloud moves from in front of the Israelite camp to behind it, separating the armies, giving light to the Israelites and darkness to the Egyptians. Moses stretches out his hand, and the Lord drives the sea back by a strong east wind all night, turning the seabed to dry land. The waters stand as walls on their right and left.

The Israelites walk through on dry ground. The Egyptians pursue them — chariot wheels bogging down, the army panicking. In the morning watch, God looks out from the pillar of fire and cloud and throws the Egyptian force into confusion. God commands Moses to stretch out his hand again. The water returns. The chariots, the horsemen, the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea — not one of them remains.

The Israelites see the Egyptians dead on the shore. They fear the Lord and believe in the Lord and in Moses. Miriam the prophet takes up a tambourine, and the women follow with dancing. She sings the ancient couplet — scholars believe it may be among the oldest poetry in the Bible: Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.