◄ Exodus 14:31 ►
When Israel saw the great power that the LORD had exercised over the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and believed in Him and in His servant Moses.
Study Bible
When Israel saw
The phrase "When Israel saw" indicates a moment of revelation and realization for the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "saw" is "ra'ah," which means to perceive or understand. This is not merely a physical sight but a deep comprehension of God's intervention. Historically, this moment marks a turning point where the Israelites witness firsthand the divine power that has been guiding them, reinforcing their faith and trust in God's promises.

the great power
The term "great power" in Hebrew is "gadol yad," literally translating to "great hand." This expression is often used in the Old Testament to describe God's mighty acts of deliverance and judgment. Archaeologically, the crossing of the Red Sea is a pivotal event that underscores God's sovereignty over nature and nations. This "great power" is a testament to God's ability to protect and deliver His people against overwhelming odds.

that the LORD had exercised
The phrase "that the LORD had exercised" emphasizes God's active role in the events. The Hebrew name for "LORD" here is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, highlighting His faithfulness and commitment to His people. The word "exercised" suggests deliberate and purposeful action, reinforcing the idea that God is not a distant deity but one who is intimately involved in the lives of His people.

against the Egyptians
"Against the Egyptians" signifies the specific target of God's judgment. The Egyptians, representing the oppressive forces against God's people, are a historical symbol of bondage and sin. This phrase reminds us of the broader biblical narrative of God delivering His people from slavery, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture and finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ's redemptive work.

the people feared the LORD
"The people feared the LORD" reflects a profound reverence and awe for God. The Hebrew word for "feared" is "yare," which encompasses both fear and reverence. This fear is not terror but a recognition of God's holiness and power. It is a foundational aspect of the Israelites' relationship with God, leading them to worship and obedience.

and believed in Him
"Believed in Him" indicates a deep trust and faith in God's character and promises. The Hebrew word "aman" for "believed" conveys a sense of firmness and reliability. This belief is not just intellectual assent but a wholehearted trust that God is who He says He is and will do what He has promised. It is a faith that transforms and sustains the community of believers.

and in His servant Moses
The phrase "and in His servant Moses" highlights the role of Moses as God's chosen leader and mediator. Moses, as a servant, is a model of obedience and faithfulness. His leadership is validated by God's power and presence, and the people's belief in Moses is an extension of their faith in God. This underscores the importance of godly leadership and the responsibility of leaders to guide their people in faith and obedience.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Israel
The descendants of Jacob, also known as the Israelites, who were enslaved in Egypt and led out by Moses.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who demonstrated His power and faithfulness by delivering the Israelites from Egyptian bondage.

3. Egyptians
The people of Egypt, particularly the army that pursued the Israelites and was defeated at the Red Sea.

4. Moses
The servant of God and leader of the Israelites, chosen to lead them out of Egypt and through the wilderness.

5. The Red Sea
The body of water that God miraculously parted to allow the Israelites to escape from the pursuing Egyptian army.
Teaching Points
The Power of God
Recognize and trust in God's mighty power to deliver and protect His people, as demonstrated in the miraculous events at the Red Sea.

Fear and Reverence
Develop a healthy fear and reverence for the Lord, acknowledging His authority and sovereignty over all circumstances.

Faith in Leadership
Understand the importance of trusting in God's appointed leaders, as the Israelites did with Moses, while discerning their alignment with God's will.

Witnessing God's Works
Reflect on personal experiences of God's intervention and allow these to strengthen your faith and commitment to Him.

Belief and Obedience
Emphasize the connection between belief in God and obedience to His commands, as seen in the Israelites' response to God's deliverance.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the demonstration of God's power in Exodus 14:31 encourage you to trust Him in your current life situations?

2. In what ways can you cultivate a healthy fear and reverence for the Lord in your daily walk with Him?

3. How can the faith of the Israelites in Moses as God's servant inspire you to support and trust the spiritual leaders in your life?

4. Reflect on a time when you witnessed God's power in your life. How did it impact your faith and relationship with Him?

5. How can the connection between belief and obedience in Exodus 14:31 be applied to your understanding of faith in the New Testament context, such as in John 14:1?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 4:31
This verse shows the initial belief of the Israelites when Moses first presented God's plan for their deliverance, paralleling their renewed faith in Exodus 14:31.

Hebrews 11:29
This New Testament passage highlights the faith of the Israelites as they passed through the Red Sea, connecting their belief to the broader theme of faith in God's promises.

Psalm 106:12
This verse reflects on the Israelites' belief in God's words and His servant Moses, similar to their response in Exodus 14:31.

John 14:1
Jesus calls His followers to believe in God and also in Him, echoing the dual belief in God and His servant seen in Exodus 14:31.
Sermons
God Completes the Deliverance of the Israelites from Pharaoh and Removes Their TerrorD. Young Exodus 14:13-31
The Goodness and Severity of GodJ. Urquhart Exodus 14:19-31
The Overthrow of the EgyptiansJ. Orr Exodus 14:23-31
Israel's DeliveranceW. Hay Aitken, M. A.Exodus 14:30-31
The Diving Deliverer RecognisedD. March, D. D.Exodus 14:30-31
The Great DeliveranceArchbishop Tait.Exodus 14:30-31
People
Egyptians, Israelites, Moses, Pharaoh, Zephon
Places
Baal-zephon, Egypt, Etham, Migdol, Pi-hahiroth, Red Sea
Topics
Believed, Bondman, Displayed, Egyptians, Faith, Fear, Feared, Power, Servant, Stedfast, Trust, Wrought
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Exodus 14:31

     1105   God, power of
     1310   God, as judge
     1418   miracles, responses
     7160   servants of the Lord
     8031   trust, importance
     8224   dependence
     8334   reverence, and God's nature
     8344   servanthood, in believers

Exodus 14:10-31

     4819   dryness

Exodus 14:29-31

     5608   warfare, strategies

Exodus 14:30-31

     1416   miracles, nature 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

Links
Exodus 14:31 NIV
Exodus 14:31 NLT
Exodus 14:31 ESV
Exodus 14:31 NASB
Exodus 14:31 KJV

Exodus 14:31 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Exodus 14:30
Top of Page
Top of Page