Exodus 14:23 Study Bible: The Egyptians pursued, and went in after them into the midst of the sea: all of Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.

◄ Exodus 14:23 ►

And the Egyptians chased after them--all Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and horsemen--and followed them into the sea.

The Egyptians
This phrase refers to the people of Egypt, specifically the army led by Pharaoh. In the context of Exodus, the Egyptians symbolize the oppressive forces that enslaved the Israelites. Historically, Egypt was a powerful and advanced civilization, known for its military prowess and architectural achievements. Theologically, the Egyptians represent the worldly powers that stand in opposition to God's people. Their pursuit of the Israelites into the Red Sea is a testament to their hardened hearts and defiance against God's will.

pursued
The Hebrew root for "pursued" is "רדף" (radaph), which conveys a sense of relentless chasing or hunting down. This pursuit is not just a physical chase but also symbolizes the spiritual and emotional oppression the Israelites faced. The Egyptians' pursuit is a vivid illustration of how sin and worldly powers can relentlessly chase after believers, seeking to recapture them into bondage.

and went in after them
This phrase highlights the Egyptians' boldness and determination. Despite witnessing the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, they still chose to follow the Israelites into the sea. This act of following the Israelites into the parted waters demonstrates a profound lack of reverence for God's power. It serves as a reminder of the dangers of pride and the blindness that can result from a hardened heart.

into the midst of the sea
The "midst of the sea" refers to the heart of the Red Sea, which God had miraculously parted for the Israelites. This miraculous event is central to the narrative of Exodus, symbolizing God's deliverance and protection of His people. Theologically, the sea often represents chaos and danger, and God's control over it demonstrates His sovereignty over all creation. The Egyptians entering the midst of the sea signifies their overconfidence and ultimate downfall.

all Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and horsemen
This phrase emphasizes the full might of Pharaoh's military forces. Horses and chariots were symbols of military strength and technological advancement in ancient times. The inclusion of "all" indicates the totality of Pharaoh's commitment to recapturing the Israelites. This overwhelming show of force contrasts with the vulnerability of the Israelites, highlighting the miraculous nature of their deliverance. Spiritually, it serves as a reminder that no earthly power can stand against the will of God when He chooses to act on behalf of His people.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The Egyptians
Representing the oppressive force against the Israelites, the Egyptians were led by Pharaoh and pursued the Israelites into the Red Sea.

2. Pharaoh
The ruler of Egypt, whose heart was hardened, leading him to pursue the Israelites even after releasing them from slavery.

3. The Red Sea
The body of water that God miraculously parted to allow the Israelites to escape from the Egyptians, symbolizing deliverance and divine intervention.

4. The Israelites
God's chosen people, who were fleeing from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land, representing faith and obedience to God's guidance.

5. The Pursuit
The act of the Egyptians chasing the Israelites, which sets the stage for God's miraculous deliverance and the subsequent destruction of the Egyptian forces.

Teaching Points

God's Sovereignty and Power
The pursuit by the Egyptians and the subsequent events demonstrate God's ultimate control over nature and nations. Trust in God's sovereignty even when circumstances seem dire.

Faith in God's Deliverance
The Israelites' journey through the Red Sea is a testament to faith in God's promises. In our lives, we must trust that God will make a way even when there seems to be no way.

The Consequences of Hardened Hearts
Pharaoh's hardened heart led to his downfall. We must guard against hardening our hearts to God's voice and commands.

The Importance of Obedience
The Israelites' obedience in following God's instructions led to their salvation. Obedience to God is crucial for experiencing His deliverance and blessings.

God's Protection and Provision
Just as God protected the Israelites, He promises to protect and provide for us. We can rely on His faithfulness in every situation.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the pursuit of the Egyptians into the sea illustrate the consequences of a hardened heart against God?

2. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty and power at work in our own lives, similar to His actions at the Red Sea?

3. How does the faith of the Israelites in crossing the Red Sea inspire us to trust God in seemingly impossible situations?

4. What are some modern-day "Red Sea" moments where we need to rely on God's deliverance and guidance?

5. How can we ensure that our hearts remain open and obedient to God's leading, avoiding the pitfalls of Pharaoh's hardened heart?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Exodus 14:21-22
These verses describe the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, setting the stage for the events of verse 23. It highlights God's power and faithfulness in delivering His people.

Hebrews 11:29
This verse in the New Testament reflects on the faith of the Israelites as they passed through the Red Sea, emphasizing the importance of faith in God's promises.

Psalm 136:13-15
This psalm recounts God's deliverance of Israel through the Red Sea, celebrating His enduring love and mighty acts.

Sermons

The Deliverance	J. Orr	Exodus 14:10-23
God Completes the Deliverance of the Israelites from Pharaoh and Removes Their Terror	D. Young	Exodus 14:13-31
The Goodness and Severity of God	J. Urquhart	Exodus 14:19-31
A Treacherous Element	Great Thoughts	Exodus 14:21-25
It is not Always Safe to Follow Those Who are in the Path of Duty	H. C. Trumbull.	Exodus 14:21-25
Safe in the Danger of Duty	H. C. Trumbull.	Exodus 14:21-25
The Destruction of the Egyptians	H. Barnard, B. A.	Exodus 14:21-25
The Sea-Path	Dr. Fowler.	Exodus 14:21-25
The Overthrow of the Egyptians	J. Orr	Exodus 14:23-31

People

Egyptians, Israelites, Moses, Pharaoh, Zephon

Places

Baal-zephon, Egypt, Etham, Migdol, Pi-hahiroth, Red Sea

Topics

Chariots, Egyptians, Followed, Horsemen, Horses, Middle, Midst, Pharaoh, Pharaoh's, Pursue, Pursued, Pursuit, War-carriages

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Exodus 14:10-31

4819 dryness

Exodus 14:19-24

7908 baptism, significance

Exodus 14:21-23

1320 God, as Saviour

Exodus 14:21-28

5300 drowning

Exodus 14:23-25

5208 armies

Library

A Path in the Sea
'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: 20. 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. 21. 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, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Entangled in the Land
"For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in."--Exodus 14:3. ISRAEL WAS CLEAN escaped from Egypt. Not a hoof of their cattle was left behind; nor foot of child or aged man remained in the house of bondage. But though they were gone, they were not forgotten by the tyrant who had enslaved them. They had been a very useful body of workers; for they had built treasure cities and storehouses for Pharaoh. Compelled to work without wages, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

Epistle Lxiii. To Brunichild, Queen of the Franks.
To Brunichild, Queen of the Franks. Gregory to Brunichild, &c. What good gifts have been conferred on you from above, and with what piety heavenly grace has filled you, this, among all the other proofs of your merits, intimates evidently to all that you both govern the savage hearts of barbarians with the skill of prudent counsel, and (what is still more to your praise), adorn your royal power with wisdom. And since, as you are above many nations in both these respects, so also you excel them in …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

They who have not Been Promoted to that Office. ...
They who have not been promoted [to that office] by the bishop, ought not to adjure, either in churches or in private houses. Notes. Ancient Epitome of Canon XXVI. No one shall adjure without the bishop's promotion to that office. Balsamon. Some were in the habit of "adjuring," that is catechising the unbelievers, who had never received the imposition of the bishop's hands for that purpose; and when they were accused of doing so, contended that as they did not do it in church but only at home, they …
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils

The Personality of Power.
A Personally Conducted Journey. Everyone enjoys the pleasure of travel; but nearly all shrink back from its tiresomeness and drudgery. The transportation companies are constantly scheming to overcome this disagreeable side for both pleasure and business travel. One of the popular ways of pleasure travel of late is by means of personally conducted tours. A party is formed, often by the railroad company, and is accompanied by a special agent to attend to all the business matters of the trip. A variation …
S.D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on Power

The Faults Committed in this Degree --Distractions, Temptations --The Course to be Pursued Respecting Them.
As soon as we fall into a fault, or have wandered, we must turn again within ourselves; because this fault having turned us from God, we should as soon as possible turn towards Him, and suffer the penitence which He Himself will give. It is of great importance that we should not be anxious about these faults, because the anxiety only springs from a secret pride and a love of our own excellence. We are troubled at feeling what we are. If we become discouraged, we shall grow weaker yet; and reflection …
Jeanne Marie Bouvières—A Short Method Of Prayer And Spiritual Torrents

Answer to Mr. W's Sixth Objection.
6. and lastly, Let us consider the intrinsick absurdities, and incredibilities of the several stories of these three miracles, p. 36.--As to Jairus's daughter, and her resurrection from the dead, St. Hilary [13] hints, that there was no such person as Jairus;--and he gives this reason, and a good reason it is, why he thought so, because it is elsewhere intimated in the gospel that none of the rulers of the synagogues confessedly believ'd on Jesus, John vii. 48. and xii. 42. St. John's words in the …
Nathaniel Lardner—A Vindication of Three of Our Blessed Saviour's Miracles

The Hardening in the Sacred Scripture.
"He hath hardened their heart."-- John xii. 40. The Scripture teaches positively that the hardening and "darkening of their foolish heart" is a divine, intentional act. This is plainly evident from God's charge to Moses concerning the king of Egypt: "Thou shalt speak all that I command thee; and I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not harken unto you, and I will lay My hand upon Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Blessed are they that Mourn
Blessed are they that mourn. Matthew 5:4 Here are eight steps leading to true blessedness. They may be compared to Jacob's Ladder, the top whereof reached to heaven. We have already gone over one step, and now let us proceed to the second: Blessed are they that mourn'. We must go through the valley of tears to paradise. Mourning were a sad and unpleasant subject to treat on, were it not that it has blessedness going before, and comfort coming after. Mourning is put here for repentance. It implies …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Epistle iv. To Cyriacus, Bishop.
To Cyriacus, Bishop. Gregory to Cyriacus, Bishop of Constantinople. We have received with becoming charity our common sons, George the presbyter and Theodore your deacon; and we rejoice that you have passed from the care of ecclesiastical business to the government of souls, since, according to the voice of the Truth, He that is faithful in a little will be faithful also in much (Luke xvi. 10). And to the servant who administers well it is said, Because thou hast been faithful over a few things, …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The Sovereignty of God in Reprobation
"Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God" (Rom. 11:22). In the last chapter when treating of the Sovereignty of God the Father in Salvation, we examined seven passages which represent Him as making a choice from among the children of men, and predestinating certain ones to be conformed to the image of His Son. The thoughtful reader will naturally ask, And what of those who were not "ordained to eternal life?" The answer which is usually returned to this question, even by those who profess …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

Of the Necessity of Divine Influences to Produce Regeneration in the Soul.
Titus iii. 5, 6. Titus iii. 5, 6. Not by works of righteousness, which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. IF my business were to explain and illustrate this scripture at large, it would yield an ample field for accurate criticism and useful discourse, and more especially would lead us into a variety of practical remarks, on which it would be pleasant …
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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