Exodus 14:29 Study Bible: But the children of Israel walked on dry land in the midst of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand, and on their left.

◄ Exodus 14:29 ►

But the Israelites had walked through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left.

But the Israelites
The term "Israelites" refers to the descendants of Jacob, also known as Israel. This designation highlights their identity as God's chosen people, set apart for His purposes. Historically, the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt, and their deliverance is a central theme in the book of Exodus. The use of "But" signifies a contrast to the fate of the Egyptians, emphasizing God's favor and protection over His people.

walked through the sea
The act of walking through the sea is a miraculous event, demonstrating God's power over nature. The Hebrew word for "walked" (הָלַךְ, halak) implies a deliberate and confident action, suggesting the Israelites' trust in God's provision. This event is a pivotal moment in Israel's history, symbolizing their transition from slavery to freedom and foreshadowing the Christian journey from sin to salvation.

on dry ground
The phrase "on dry ground" underscores the miraculous nature of the event. The Hebrew word for "dry" (חָרָבָה, charabah) indicates a completely dry and firm surface, which would have been impossible without divine intervention. This detail highlights God's ability to provide a safe path for His people, reinforcing His role as their protector and guide.

with a wall of water
The imagery of a "wall of water" on either side of the Israelites is both awe-inspiring and terrifying. The Hebrew word for "wall" (חוֹמָה, chomah) suggests a solid and protective barrier. This miraculous formation not only provided a safe passage but also served as a testament to God's power and presence. It symbolizes the protection God offers His people, shielding them from harm as they follow His path.

on their right and on their left
The specification of "on their right and on their left" emphasizes the completeness of God's protection. It suggests that the Israelites were surrounded by God's power, with no avenue for the waters to return and harm them. This detail reinforces the theme of divine deliverance and the assurance that God is with His people in every direction, guiding and safeguarding them on their journey.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The Israelites
The descendants of Jacob, also known as the children of Israel, who were enslaved in Egypt and led by Moses out of bondage.

2. The Red Sea
The body of water that God miraculously parted to allow the Israelites to escape from the pursuing Egyptian army.

3. Moses
The prophet and leader chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness.

4. The Egyptian Army
The forces of Pharaoh that pursued the Israelites, intending to bring them back into slavery.

5. God's Deliverance
The miraculous event where God parted the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to escape on dry ground, demonstrating His power and faithfulness.

Teaching Points

God's Sovereignty and Power
The parting of the Red Sea is a testament to God's supreme power over nature and His ability to deliver His people from seemingly impossible situations.

Faith in Action
The Israelites' journey through the sea required faith. Believers today are called to trust God even when the path seems uncertain or daunting.

God's Faithfulness
This event underscores God's faithfulness to His promises. Just as He delivered Israel, He is faithful to deliver us from our trials.

Spiritual Deliverance
The crossing of the Red Sea is symbolic of spiritual deliverance from sin and bondage, pointing to the salvation offered through Jesus Christ.

Community and Leadership
Moses' leadership and the unity of the Israelites highlight the importance of godly leadership and community in overcoming challenges.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the parting of the Red Sea demonstrate God's power and sovereignty in your life today?

2. In what ways can the faith of the Israelites inspire you to trust God in your current circumstances?

3. How does the account of the Red Sea crossing connect to the concept of spiritual deliverance in the New Testament?

4. What role does community play in your spiritual journey, and how can you support others in their faith walk?

5. Reflect on a time when God delivered you from a difficult situation. How can this account encourage others in their faith?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Genesis 15:13-14
God's promise to Abraham about the future enslavement and eventual deliverance of his descendants, which is fulfilled in the Exodus.

Hebrews 11:29
The faith of the Israelites as they passed through the Red Sea, highlighting the importance of faith in God's promises.

Psalm 106:9-12
A recounting of the Red Sea crossing, emphasizing God's mighty power and the Israelites' subsequent praise.

1 Corinthians 10:1-2
Paul uses the crossing of the Red Sea as a metaphor for baptism and spiritual deliverance.

Sermons

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
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

Dry, Ground, Midst, Sons, Walked, Walking, Wall, Waters

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Exodus 14:10-31

4819 dryness

Exodus 14:26-29

5102 Moses, life of

Exodus 14:29-31

5608 warfare, strategies
7222 exodus, events of

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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