Covenants: Comparing Old and New Testaments; blessings and curses.
Deuteronomy 7:7-10 show how God did not choose israel due to its size; but in His love they were called out. They are reminded of being loved and protected coming out of Egypt; but verse 9 shows how the Covenant brings lovingkindness to those who love Him; and judgment is shown in verse 10 to those who hate Him.
The original promises; of course were set forth as far back as Abraham in Genesis 15 and 17 which would continue with his descendants until they finally entered the Promised Land. In actuality; many in Reformed circles think that an informal covenant was involved with God's creation of Adam and Eve (at least in the creation of Eve to be his wife and the consummation of the marriage relationship even without formal ceremony involved). The rainbow was God's original covenant which God promised not to once again flood the entire earth. Interestingly animals are implied as well ( Gen. 9:13
In reality; these were all things instigated by God. Adam was asleep when the rib was taken out of him; and likewise was the situation with Abraham when he was in a deep sleep in Genesis 15:12. God was to use men such as Moses to rescue His people; but He was only using the power of God through the rod; for instance to perform miracles; and God of course drew Pharoah's army to a watery grave in the Red Sea.
The same concept involves many of Israel's conquests; angels would often fight supporting men; or fight alone such as the example of Exodus 14:14 and 2 Kings 19:35 against the Assyrians when 185,000 were destroyed by a single angel in a night.
God also draws all those who will come to Him as the Gospel of John and many other scriptures indicate. God has given the Spirit nowadays to permanently reside in a Christian ( Ephesians 1:13). God's eternal plans in the Godhead allowed for Christ's atonement to be efficacious for all who would believe and be "granted repentance" ( Acts 11:18).
Anonymous, I just heard a song and it reminded me of you so I wanted to share it with you. It's by Rascal Flatts (tho they support thing not of the bible, the song is great), it's call "I will stand by you." If you don't or can't listen to music search the following scriptures: were God says; I will stand by you- Ephesians 6:11, He will dry your eyes- Rev 21:4, I will fight your fight- Exodus 14:14 & I will hold you tight & won't let go- Deuteronomy 31:6 .Prayers to you again, and always!
Just to clarify, Texsis; the LORD parted the Jordan as He did at the Red Sea by the hand of Moses ( Exodus 14:21,22), so this would have helped the Israelites to cross over much quicker than the earlier crossing ( Joshua 3:7-17); and of course, the Jordan was much narrower in width than the Red Sea.
If you would please pray for The LORD to help me through the trials and tribulations that I am going through (Psalm34:19-20, Psalm 3, Psalm 5, Psalm 18, Psalm 144) If you would pray that The LORD would protect and deliver me from The Devil and my enemies ( Psalm 35, Psalm 59, 2 Thess 3:2). Also that The LORD would fight them, and expose their schemes against me and bring them to nought ( Exodus 14:14, Psalm 24:8, Psalm 33:10). Please pray that The LORD provides for all of my spiritual and material needs ( Philippians 4:19). Also, please pray for healing for my backsliding, body, mind, soul and spirit ( Exodus 15:26, Hosea 14:1-4, Jeremiah 3:22) . Please pray that The LORD turns my life situation around like he did for Job ( Job 42:10, James 5:11). Thank you and God bless you ( Revelation 22:21).
Moses controlled the sea by order of GOD. Exodus 14:15-31,
Other times, Joshua 3, 2Kings 2:8, 2Kings 2:14, Mark 4,
Exodus 17:6, note Numbers 20:7-12, GOD even gave them the power & authority to just speak to the water to come forth, matter of fact; it was an Order, & because it wasn't followed it was counted against them.
Interestingly in Michigan the Northern winds blow, it feels like bitter coldness inside, freezing your nose inside like icicles, even through your clothing layers. In Southern California when the " Santa Ana winds" dry & hot, dusty, both very district & unpleasant. The winds that blow East from the Pacific Ocean even summertime bring cool, unpleasant chills as early evening approaches. Etc. (In some personal observation of distinct winds.)
Lord Jesus please rise up. Please fight our battles ( Exodus 14:14). I stand on Psalm 50:15 and Romans 8 and all the other promises in your word pertaining to the situation I have been lifting up to you. Please intervene powerfully. You know the circumstances. Please act now Lord. We need you. I ask for strong protection, deliverance, healing, salvation (those not saved), your guidance and the power of the Holy Spirit to live in a manner pleasing to you Father. Thank you. Please do the same for all others in need. All praise to you. I pray in your holy and mighty name. Amen.
I believe that comes from a guy named Bob Jones that said that. A few other people have said that would happen. I watched a few videos about what they call "the perfect storm".
I personally witnessed, during a hurricane years ago a tree was uprooted & floated down stream in flooding water until it was stuck up under a bridge; caused the flooding creek, to flood in reverse: because of debris that was caught by tree, limbs, roots etc. blocked the flow. Other Hurricanes have recorded winds & other causes doing that to The Mississippi River & other rivers, during past decade. These events they speak of are supposed to be major events. It however doesn't seem to be necessarily noted in scripture except for miracles that GOD used for Israelites to pass through. Exodus 14:26-29, Joshua 3:13-16, Joshua 4:7,18,23, Joshua 5:1, & Prophets: 2Kings 2:8,14,
Thank you Dgjot, I share similar sentiments to you. Yet, I'm comforted knowing that whatever evil there may be around me or of the plans & devices of wicked men against me, the Lord truly is in full knowledge & control over the situation. We should not be unduly weighed down in mind & spirit of 'what could happen'. Rather, our hearts must be raised above what we see or don't see on Earth and raised to see the Lord of Heaven who promises us His Care: 2 Thessalonians 3:2,3; Psalm 18:2-6; Psalm 32:5-7;
Psalm 125:1; Proverbs 18:10, are a few verses that should encourage all of us.
We can indeed be bold, going forth in the Name of the Lord. Until we go out in faith, facing the enemy & his followers head on with the Love & Grace of the Lord, we will never fully know or experience the Lord's Arm of Salvation. This is not the time to live in fear, but to wisely use the time the Lord gives us to stand bodly for Him & exude His Righteousness amongst a people who have no knowledge or desire for it. There may be evil intent from some, but "Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day", even as the Lord opened up the way (the Red Sea) for His children to pass over ( Exodus 14:13,14). The Lord has all of Heaven's resources ready to come to our aid - only faith can take hold of them & release them, that we might all stand in awe of the Lord of Glory.
And yes, we need to exercise great care when seeing God's Work before us. Many saw it in that day but accused Jesus of working by the power of Satan. There's no hope for those who continually refuse God or acknowledge His Mercy shown to them & others. We should not be hasty in condemning a work we may know very little about - maybe doing so to our hurt.
The pillar kept the two peoples apart all night. God stood between His chosen and the enemy. He does this for us. He's "got our back", He is at our sides, and goes before us. He is above us covering us with His protection in every way. The next time I am in a fix I will remember what the Angel of the LORD and the pillar did here.
That night, Moses stretched out his rod and hands over the sea. God brought forth and strong wind from the east that caused the sea to stack up on two sides, exposing a land bridge for them to walk across. The wind was extremely strong and the land became dry for them to walk on. So, no mucking through mud or going down to the depths, but over a land bridge conveniently created by God in the past to be used at this specific time. The water was like tall walls on either side of the Israelites. God made a way where there seemed to be no way!
But there is more! In the early morning watch (2:00-6:00 a.m.) God looked out from the pillar and "troubled" the Egyptians, by making the wheels of their chariots fall off. The Egyptians were fearful, admitting the God of the Israelites fought for them. Ol' Zephon-god of the sea and storm was no match for YHWH! The Egyptians turned around to run back to the west shore from where they came. By now all of the Israelites had crossed onto the other shore. God told Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea once more so that the waters would return to its place and drown the Egyptians. The text says that the waters were returned to their normal depths from west to east, causing the Egyptians to flee right into it! Not east to west to push them back to the western shore, but from west to east to engulf them as they ran away from what God was doing with Moses.
It does not say that Pharaoh tried to cross after the Egyptians. Most likely he commanded from the shore. Every Egyptian that pursued them into the sea were drowned. The Israelites saw their dead bodies as they were washed ashore. Yeah!
God told Moses that Pharoh's heart will be hardened once more and that he will come to pursue them in order to recapture them. But God says that He will gain honor over Pharaoh. Perhaps meaning that he will humble Pharaoh and glorify Himself to the Egyptians and the Israelites.
Pharaoh commented, "Why did we let them go?" He was not wanting to lose these people as servants so he got in his chariot and many went with him plus 600 choice chariots with the top soldiers and captains. They overtook the Israelites in their camp by the sea, striking fear in the Israelites. They cried out to YHWH and they complained to Moses saying that it would be better to stay in Egypt as slaves than to die in the wilderness. They had very little faith in Moses or God. They even said that they had told Moses to leave them alone so they can serve their Egyptian masters when Moses first came for them.
But despite their unbelief and fear, Moses stood up and boldy proclaimed that YHWH will save them so do not be afraid. He proclaimed that they will never see the Egyptians again after they experience what YHWH will do for them that day. And in an admonition he said, "The LORD will fight for you, so hold your peace. Up until now God had not told Moses how He would save the Israelites, but Moses knew that God would indeed save them.
God now instructs Moses on how He will deliver the Israelites from the Egyptians. He tells Moses to stretch out his rod over the sea and divide it. God says that the Israelites will cross the sea on dry land, but the Egyptians' hearts will be hardened and pursue the Israelites through the divide. I guess the Egyptians did not consider that the God of the Israelites had made the sea divide for the Israelites, not for them.
At this point the Angel of the LORD and the pillar moved from the front of the Israelites to the back, between them and the Egyptians. The pillar made it dark upon the Egyptians and light upon the Israelites.
Baal Zephon is on an island in the Straits of Tiran. It is a mountain worship center for Baal Zephon-the god of sea and storms. Migdol is a mountain watchtower west of these straits where Egyptians scouted out the land below. Along the western shore of the Sinai peninsula is a wide sandy shoreline that was used as a highway.
So, the archeological sites I googled think that Pi Hahiroth was between the Migdol tower and the Straits of Tiran (Southeast tip of Sinai peninsula). They think that Etham a plain was north of Pi Hahiroth that dead ended with mountains all around and to the shoreline. the only way out was to retrace their steps south. The Red Sea has 2 arms. The western arm is the Gulf of Suez and the eastern arm is the Gulf of Aqaba. The sea around the southern tip of the peninsula is also called the Red Sea. So, these two archeological sites came to the same conclusion about the location of these named places and the most plausible place for the Red Sea crossing.
The Israelites traveled day and night, God knew what Pharaoh would be thinking. It seems that spies must have sent back word of the Israelites meeting up with a dead end at Etham.
The Israelites had backtracked to the mouth of a bay at the southern tip of Mt. Sinai facing the island where Baal Zephon was. The other side of the strait was Midian. There is a natural raised land bridge at this strait crossing from one side to the other coastline. There are other theories about the route and location of this point. One could read up on it to see what has been researched on this topic.
Pharaoh heard that the Israelites were hemmed in. He thought that they must have been traveling without knowledge of the land and so got in a place where he could overtake them.
The Israelites did not know about this peninsula, but Moses did. More than that, God knew every hill, valley, stream, etc. He directed them with the pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. When the pillar stopped, they camped.
This amazing chapter in Exodus shows us the awesomeness of God's ability to turn nature upside down to deliver His people.
In the first few verses, we are told how YHWH instructed Moses to take a certain path into the wilderness. Moses most likely knew this area well in his 40 years away from Egypt. But YHWH was not going to have Moses decide the route. Sometimes our own knowledge seems best to follow, but it is always best to follow the directions of God. I was reading on a couple Christian archeological sites concerning the most likely route taken by the Israelites when they left Goshen and where the ities mentioned may be located. This was interesting reading.
Many of us learned the "traditional" route of the Israelites and location of Mt. Sinai at the southern end of the Sinai peninusla. Many of us were taught that the Israelites crossed the sea as the freshwater lakes of reed in the Suez canal area (where they or the Egyptians could have just gone around them) or at a place south of Goshen along the western shore of the Gulf of Suez.
In Chapter 11:37 it says that they traveled from Raamses in the Egyptian Delta to Succoth (believed to be east of Raamses but still in Egypt. In Exodus 13:17 it says that they came to a pass and the LORD would not let them go north through Philistia as it was near. So it makes me wonder if there was some type of pass over the mountainous terrain between Egypt and Philistia. The Bible says that this route was the shorter route. But YHWH was taking the Israelites by a circuituous route for a reason. Ex. 13:18 says that YHWH instead lead them around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. journeying from Succoth to Etham. In Etham they camped at the edge of the wilderness. Perhaps they camped along the shoreline were there was a sandy route between the sea and the wilderness going north and south.
So God knew what Pharaoh was going to think ahead of time. Knowing this already, He lead the Israelites to a dead end.
Numbers 20:7-12, is a portion of the whole story & reason.
Let's look at the bigger picture:
Numbers 20:12, please note it says "Because you believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore._._" , Please read Exodus, Moses' doubts: Exodus 3:11,13, Exodus 4:1,3,10,14, Exodus 4:24-26, Exodus 5:22, Exodus 6:12, Exodus 6:30, Exodus 14:11-15, Exodus 16:2-28, Exodus 17:2-7, Exodus 32:11-19,30,31,32,33, Exodus 33:1-3, Numbers 11:1-15, mercy ( Numbers 11:16-20,) Numbers 11:21-23, * Numbers 13, Numbers 13:30,31,32, * Numbers 14, very significant I believe, when they were supposed to take the promised land please read Numbers chapters 13 & 14, & notice: Numbers 13:30, Numbers 14:24, Numbers 14:22-23,
The consummation of all the promised events; to fulfill God's covenant promises made 430 years before this event finally came during the events of this chapter. The plagues and the final pursuit of the Egyptians is certainly similar to Armageddon after the plagues (bowl judgments in particular) where blasphemy towards God is demonstrated by those suffering on earth. We see waters turned to blood; hail; and a final push against the Lord and His people much like that in Psalm 2. There were statements made by Pharaoh about wishing to be blessed; admissions of sin and the like but clearly they were disingenuous at best; as the continuing narrative indicates. As to a question on his death; it is unclear here whether he was included among the "hosts" in verse 28; or whether Pharaoh stood by the shore and observed all this from his vantage point. There is also a theory that King Tut was no other than the last Pharaoh who met an untimely death. There is also the evidence of hailstone imprints on the pyramids in Egypt indicative of that plague occurring.
The Lord; as in the time an angel destroyed 144,000 Syrians in one night would fight for His people. This basically also will happen with the cruel servitude in the last days; when the "Assyrian" mentioned in Isaiah will be eliminated who rules with cruelty. We need to consider how the fear of those Israelites who crossed over the Red Sea was temporal; and how soon after they rebelled. They already complained in verse 12 despite all the miracles God did for their benefit in Egypt. God had vested the authority in Moses to use the rod to proceed in verse 16 after he was perplexed himself in verse 15. His humility may have made him overly cautious; but kept him from assuming that he could go ahead with plans when unknown sin was in the camp and this probably was because of never forgetting the lesson from killing the Egyptian 40years previously.
God bless Angela If you ask the father to guide you through Jesus Christ he will there are many people who can help in the comment section if you have trouble in real time.Keep seeking,keep asking,keep recieving.God be with you on your journey.
I would like to encourage you to get a reading program if you haven't already, and trust in the Holyspirit to reveal his truths.
Along with that J vernon mcgee has a great collection of commentary. Or you can find him and several others on Blueletterbible video and audio commentaries.
There's guys on this site that would love to help if you have questions.
Any route you take there's no substitution to reading and studying all 66 books.
Don't begin with topical studies or historical studies, let the Holyspirit work in your studies as it has done in the Church over 2000 years.
Deuteronomy 7:7-10 show how God did not choose israel due to its size; but in His love they were called out. They are reminded of being loved and protected coming out of Egypt; but verse 9 shows how the Covenant brings lovingkindness to those who love Him; and judgment is shown in verse 10 to those who hate Him.
The original promises; of course were set forth as far back as Abraham in Genesis 15 and 17 which would continue with his descendants until they finally entered the Promised Land. In actuality; many in Reformed circles think that an informal covenant was involved with God's creation of Adam and Eve (at least in the creation of Eve to be his wife and the consummation of the marriage relationship even without formal ceremony involved). The rainbow was God's original covenant which God promised not to once again flood the entire earth. Interestingly animals are implied as well ( Gen. 9:13
In reality; these were all things instigated by God. Adam was asleep when the rib was taken out of him; and likewise was the situation with Abraham when he was in a deep sleep in Genesis 15:12. God was to use men such as Moses to rescue His people; but He was only using the power of God through the rod; for instance to perform miracles; and God of course drew Pharoah's army to a watery grave in the Red Sea.
The same concept involves many of Israel's conquests; angels would often fight supporting men; or fight alone such as the example of Exodus 14:14 and 2 Kings 19:35 against the Assyrians when 185,000 were destroyed by a single angel in a night.
God also draws all those who will come to Him as the Gospel of John and many other scriptures indicate. God has given the Spirit nowadays to permanently reside in a Christian ( Ephesians 1:13). God's eternal plans in the Godhead allowed for Christ's atonement to be efficacious for all who would believe and be "granted repentance" ( Acts 11:18).
Hopefully these are encouraging
You know Precisely her urgent need. Thank You Lord .
Psalm 38:22 kjv, Proverbs 13:12 kjv, Exodus 14:14 kjv
Exodus 14:14 kjv, Psalm 59:16 -17 kjv, Isaiah 54:17 kjv, Colossians 1:12-14 kjv.
Ephesians 3:20-21 kjv, Psalm 46:10 kjv.
Psalm18:1-2 kjv, Coloss 2:15 kjv, Heb 10:19 kjv, Exodus 14:14 kjv,
Ephesians 6:16-18 kjv, Isaiah 59:19 kjv, Psalm 59:16-17 kjv,
Other times, Joshua 3, 2Kings 2:8, 2Kings 2:14, Mark 4,
Exodus 17:6, note Numbers 20:7-12, GOD even gave them the power & authority to just speak to the water to come forth, matter of fact; it was an Order, & because it wasn't followed it was counted against them.
Mark 9:23, Luke 18:27, Mark 10:27, Matthew 19:26,
James 4:1-3,
Hopefully these scriptures are helpful
Lord Jesus I come boldly to Your throne of grace as Your blood bought daughter
by Your grace. I lift up Diane's urgent need. Make haste to Help her Lord. Strengthen her by Your Holy Spirit. Give her Your peace that passeth all
understanding. Thank You Lord Jesus. You are mighty in battle! Alleluia
Amen.
Hebrews 4:15-16 kjv, Hebrews 13:8 kjv, Exodus 14:14 kjv.
North, South East & West, examples: Ezekiel 37:9, Revelation 7:1, Job 37:9,
East Wind; Genesis 41:6,23,27, Exodus 10:13, Exodus 14:21, Psalms 48:7, Isaiah 27:8, Jeremiah 18:17, Ezekiel 17:10, Ezekiel 19:12, Hosea 13:15,
West Wind; Exodus 10:19,
North Wind; Proverbs 25:23,
South Wind, Job 37:17, Luke 12:55, Acts 27:13,
Psalms 78:26, Ecclesiastes 1:6, Jeremiah 10:13, Jeremiah 51:16, Amos 4:13,
Interestingly in Michigan the Northern winds blow, it feels like bitter coldness inside, freezing your nose inside like icicles, even through your clothing layers. In Southern California when the " Santa Ana winds" dry & hot, dusty, both very district & unpleasant. The winds that blow East from the Pacific Ocean even summertime bring cool, unpleasant chills as early evening approaches. Etc. (In some personal observation of distinct winds.)
Hopefully these are helpful
Psalms 144:5,6, see: Exodus 19:10-20,
Psalms 144:7, many times GOD parted the waters, rivers, even a Sea, to deliver HIS children: Exodus 14:21-31, Joshua 3:13-17,
Psalms 144:11-15, could be reference to many battles David faced in: 1Samuel, 2Samuel, 1Chronicles,
Hopefully these are helpful
I love the fact that God covered every precious word.
1 Corinthians 4:4
For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
I prayed and God gave me these verses that I may grow in them.
1 Corinthians 16:14
Let all your things be done with charity.
1 Corinthians 13:4
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1 Corinthians 13:5
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1 Corinthians 13:6
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
Colossians 3:14
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Exodus 14:14
The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
Grace unto you and peace from our Father in Heaven and The Lord Jesus Christ.
2Thessalonians 2, Matthew 24:3-51, Mark 13:5-37,
Revelation 16,
I believe that comes from a guy named Bob Jones that said that. A few other people have said that would happen. I watched a few videos about what they call "the perfect storm".
I personally witnessed, during a hurricane years ago a tree was uprooted & floated down stream in flooding water until it was stuck up under a bridge; caused the flooding creek, to flood in reverse: because of debris that was caught by tree, limbs, roots etc. blocked the flow. Other Hurricanes have recorded winds & other causes doing that to The Mississippi River & other rivers, during past decade. These events they speak of are supposed to be major events. It however doesn't seem to be necessarily noted in scripture except for miracles that GOD used for Israelites to pass through. Exodus 14:26-29, Joshua 3:13-16, Joshua 4:7,18,23, Joshua 5:1, & Prophets: 2Kings 2:8,14,
Hopefully this is helpful
Psalm 125:1; Proverbs 18:10, are a few verses that should encourage all of us.
We can indeed be bold, going forth in the Name of the Lord. Until we go out in faith, facing the enemy & his followers head on with the Love & Grace of the Lord, we will never fully know or experience the Lord's Arm of Salvation. This is not the time to live in fear, but to wisely use the time the Lord gives us to stand bodly for Him & exude His Righteousness amongst a people who have no knowledge or desire for it. There may be evil intent from some, but "Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day", even as the Lord opened up the way (the Red Sea) for His children to pass over ( Exodus 14:13,14). The Lord has all of Heaven's resources ready to come to our aid - only faith can take hold of them & release them, that we might all stand in awe of the Lord of Glory.
And yes, we need to exercise great care when seeing God's Work before us. Many saw it in that day but accused Jesus of working by the power of Satan. There's no hope for those who continually refuse God or acknowledge His Mercy shown to them & others. We should not be hasty in condemning a work we may know very little about - maybe doing so to our hurt.
You know her needs, and are Faithful. I trust that You will
provide Lisa with Your favour in her job search. You know
precisely what is the best opportunity for her, and I ask
You Lord, to speedily bring it to pass, Whatever is best
for her according to Your perfect will.
Thank You Jesus for daily strengthening her by Your
Holy Spirit. And that Lisa will very soon have the new
mattress she needs also. By Your grace. For Your glory.
Alleluia. Amen. Psalm 5:12 kjv, Exodus 14:14.
Exodus 14:14 kjv, Psalm 5:12 kjv
The pillar kept the two peoples apart all night. God stood between His chosen and the enemy. He does this for us. He's "got our back", He is at our sides, and goes before us. He is above us covering us with His protection in every way. The next time I am in a fix I will remember what the Angel of the LORD and the pillar did here.
That night, Moses stretched out his rod and hands over the sea. God brought forth and strong wind from the east that caused the sea to stack up on two sides, exposing a land bridge for them to walk across. The wind was extremely strong and the land became dry for them to walk on. So, no mucking through mud or going down to the depths, but over a land bridge conveniently created by God in the past to be used at this specific time. The water was like tall walls on either side of the Israelites. God made a way where there seemed to be no way!
But there is more! In the early morning watch (2:00-6:00 a.m.) God looked out from the pillar and "troubled" the Egyptians, by making the wheels of their chariots fall off. The Egyptians were fearful, admitting the God of the Israelites fought for them. Ol' Zephon-god of the sea and storm was no match for YHWH! The Egyptians turned around to run back to the west shore from where they came. By now all of the Israelites had crossed onto the other shore. God told Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea once more so that the waters would return to its place and drown the Egyptians. The text says that the waters were returned to their normal depths from west to east, causing the Egyptians to flee right into it! Not east to west to push them back to the western shore, but from west to east to engulf them as they ran away from what God was doing with Moses.
It does not say that Pharaoh tried to cross after the Egyptians. Most likely he commanded from the shore. Every Egyptian that pursued them into the sea were drowned. The Israelites saw their dead bodies as they were washed ashore. Yeah!
God told Moses that Pharoh's heart will be hardened once more and that he will come to pursue them in order to recapture them. But God says that He will gain honor over Pharaoh. Perhaps meaning that he will humble Pharaoh and glorify Himself to the Egyptians and the Israelites.
Pharaoh commented, "Why did we let them go?" He was not wanting to lose these people as servants so he got in his chariot and many went with him plus 600 choice chariots with the top soldiers and captains. They overtook the Israelites in their camp by the sea, striking fear in the Israelites. They cried out to YHWH and they complained to Moses saying that it would be better to stay in Egypt as slaves than to die in the wilderness. They had very little faith in Moses or God. They even said that they had told Moses to leave them alone so they can serve their Egyptian masters when Moses first came for them.
But despite their unbelief and fear, Moses stood up and boldy proclaimed that YHWH will save them so do not be afraid. He proclaimed that they will never see the Egyptians again after they experience what YHWH will do for them that day. And in an admonition he said, "The LORD will fight for you, so hold your peace. Up until now God had not told Moses how He would save the Israelites, but Moses knew that God would indeed save them.
God now instructs Moses on how He will deliver the Israelites from the Egyptians. He tells Moses to stretch out his rod over the sea and divide it. God says that the Israelites will cross the sea on dry land, but the Egyptians' hearts will be hardened and pursue the Israelites through the divide. I guess the Egyptians did not consider that the God of the Israelites had made the sea divide for the Israelites, not for them.
At this point the Angel of the LORD and the pillar moved from the front of the Israelites to the back, between them and the Egyptians. The pillar made it dark upon the Egyptians and light upon the Israelites.
So, the archeological sites I googled think that Pi Hahiroth was between the Migdol tower and the Straits of Tiran (Southeast tip of Sinai peninsula). They think that Etham a plain was north of Pi Hahiroth that dead ended with mountains all around and to the shoreline. the only way out was to retrace their steps south. The Red Sea has 2 arms. The western arm is the Gulf of Suez and the eastern arm is the Gulf of Aqaba. The sea around the southern tip of the peninsula is also called the Red Sea. So, these two archeological sites came to the same conclusion about the location of these named places and the most plausible place for the Red Sea crossing.
The Israelites traveled day and night, God knew what Pharaoh would be thinking. It seems that spies must have sent back word of the Israelites meeting up with a dead end at Etham.
The Israelites had backtracked to the mouth of a bay at the southern tip of Mt. Sinai facing the island where Baal Zephon was. The other side of the strait was Midian. There is a natural raised land bridge at this strait crossing from one side to the other coastline. There are other theories about the route and location of this point. One could read up on it to see what has been researched on this topic.
Pharaoh heard that the Israelites were hemmed in. He thought that they must have been traveling without knowledge of the land and so got in a place where he could overtake them.
The Israelites did not know about this peninsula, but Moses did. More than that, God knew every hill, valley, stream, etc. He directed them with the pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. When the pillar stopped, they camped.
In the first few verses, we are told how YHWH instructed Moses to take a certain path into the wilderness. Moses most likely knew this area well in his 40 years away from Egypt. But YHWH was not going to have Moses decide the route. Sometimes our own knowledge seems best to follow, but it is always best to follow the directions of God. I was reading on a couple Christian archeological sites concerning the most likely route taken by the Israelites when they left Goshen and where the ities mentioned may be located. This was interesting reading.
Many of us learned the "traditional" route of the Israelites and location of Mt. Sinai at the southern end of the Sinai peninusla. Many of us were taught that the Israelites crossed the sea as the freshwater lakes of reed in the Suez canal area (where they or the Egyptians could have just gone around them) or at a place south of Goshen along the western shore of the Gulf of Suez.
In Chapter 11:37 it says that they traveled from Raamses in the Egyptian Delta to Succoth (believed to be east of Raamses but still in Egypt. In Exodus 13:17 it says that they came to a pass and the LORD would not let them go north through Philistia as it was near. So it makes me wonder if there was some type of pass over the mountainous terrain between Egypt and Philistia. The Bible says that this route was the shorter route. But YHWH was taking the Israelites by a circuituous route for a reason. Ex. 13:18 says that YHWH instead lead them around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. journeying from Succoth to Etham. In Etham they camped at the edge of the wilderness. Perhaps they camped along the shoreline were there was a sandy route between the sea and the wilderness going north and south.
So God knew what Pharaoh was going to think ahead of time. Knowing this already, He lead the Israelites to a dead end.
Numbers 20:7-12, is a portion of the whole story & reason.
Let's look at the bigger picture:
Numbers 20:12, please note it says "Because you believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore._._" , Please read Exodus, Moses' doubts: Exodus 3:11,13, Exodus 4:1,3,10,14, Exodus 4:24-26, Exodus 5:22, Exodus 6:12, Exodus 6:30, Exodus 14:11-15, Exodus 16:2-28, Exodus 17:2-7, Exodus 32:11-19,30,31,32,33, Exodus 33:1-3, Numbers 11:1-15, mercy ( Numbers 11:16-20,) Numbers 11:21-23, * Numbers 13, Numbers 13:30,31,32, * Numbers 14, very significant I believe, when they were supposed to take the promised land please read Numbers chapters 13 & 14, & notice: Numbers 13:30, Numbers 14:24, Numbers 14:22-23,
Psalms 95:6-11, note Psalms 95:10-11,
Hebrews 3:5-19, Luke 13:24, Mark 10:15,
Hopefully this is helpful
The Lord; as in the time an angel destroyed 144,000 Syrians in one night would fight for His people. This basically also will happen with the cruel servitude in the last days; when the "Assyrian" mentioned in Isaiah will be eliminated who rules with cruelty. We need to consider how the fear of those Israelites who crossed over the Red Sea was temporal; and how soon after they rebelled. They already complained in verse 12 despite all the miracles God did for their benefit in Egypt. God had vested the authority in Moses to use the rod to proceed in verse 16 after he was perplexed himself in verse 15. His humility may have made him overly cautious; but kept him from assuming that he could go ahead with plans when unknown sin was in the camp and this probably was because of never forgetting the lesson from killing the Egyptian 40years previously.
John 3:15-16,
If you've accepted Jesus CHRIST as you're savior, there is a promise : John 14:26, Psalms 32:8, Psalms 86:11,
Keep persisting,
Hopefully this is helpful.
I would like to encourage you to get a reading program if you haven't already, and trust in the Holyspirit to reveal his truths.
Along with that J vernon mcgee has a great collection of commentary. Or you can find him and several others on Blueletterbible video and audio commentaries.
There's guys on this site that would love to help if you have questions.
Any route you take there's no substitution to reading and studying all 66 books.
Don't begin with topical studies or historical studies, let the Holyspirit work in your studies as it has done in the Church over 2000 years.
God bless.